29/10/2026
LONG TERM FOSTER UPDATE
Meet Vincent (was Marmalade)
A little soul who finally found his safe place.
We’re starting a little mini series to introduce you to some of our very special long term foster babies. ❤️
At GCR, we often take in these precious souls when the alternative is either being put to sleep (PTS) or left to continue surviving on the streets.
Many of these cats aren’t suitable for adoption due to complex, ongoing health needs. But that doesn’t mean they deserve any less of a chance at a happy, comfortable life.
Through our long term foster programme, GCR supports their ongoing veterinary care, while their foster families provide the love, security and comfort they so desperately need.
We currently have 28 long term fosters in our care.
And today, we’d like you to meet Vincent.
Vincent came into our care in 2024, after spending an unbelievable 14 YEARS living on the streets following his abandonment as a kitten.
Fourteen years of fighting to survive. Fourteen years without the safety and comfort every cat deserves.
And his little body told the story of everything he’d endured.
💔 He had been carrying injuries to a back leg and front paw for around two years, likely after being clipped by a car. Neither injury had been treated, leaving him with a permanent limp.
💔 All his teeth had fallen out.
💔 One eye was damaged, with a misshapen pupil.
💔 He was riddled with fleas and desperately thin, with his spine protruding.
💔 His snap test returned positive results for FIV/FeLV.
💔 He had an abscess on his head and a severe infection around his back end, making something as basic as going to the toilet likely to have been extremely painful. He needed antibiotics to treat both infections.
Despite everything he had suffered, Vincent was scared but still so loving and gentle. 🥺❤️
When we read Vincent’s story, we knew he needed a permanent foster home. How could we not try to help him?
And that’s where Anne came in. ❤️
Vincent is still with us, living in long term foster care with Anne, who has become his absolute saviour.
She has given him her home, her love, her patience and her compassion. She takes care of his day to day needs, while GCR continues to support the veterinary care he requires.
But Vincent’s journey has reminded us of something heartbreaking.
Physical wounds may heal, but the emotional scars of survival can take so much longer. 😔
It took Vincent a whole YEAR before he felt comfortable enough to sit on Anne’s knee.
A whole year before he could begin to trust that this was his home and that he was safe.
And it took TWO YEARS before he discovered just how comfortable a doughnut bed could be! 🥹❤️
Even with every home comfort imaginable, it seems those 14 years on the streets have left their mark.
Imagine spending most of your life simply trying to survive. Imagine never knowing where your next meal would come from, never feeling truly safe, and never knowing when you might have to fight for your life again.
Then imagine finally finding a home where nobody hurts you, where food is always available, where a warm bed is waiting, and where somebody loves you unconditionally.
You might think a cat would settle straight in.
But for some cats, learning to feel safe takes months. Sometimes years.
And that’s okay. ❤️
Vincent is living proof that love doesn't always work miracles overnight. Sometimes, love is simply showing up every single day, offering patience, allowing trust to grow at its own pace, and never giving up.
Thanks to wonderful foster carers like Anne, and the support GCR can provide, cats like Vincent have the chance to leave survival behind and spend the rest of their lives surrounded by the comfort, care and love they have always deserved.
He may have lost 14 years to the streets, but we hope the years ahead will be filled with warmth, a full tummy, cosy beds and the quiet reassurance that he is finally home.
We believe every cat deserves to feel safe. Every cat deserves to be loved. Every cat deserves a chance.
A huge thank you to Anne and all our long term foster carers who open their homes and hearts to these very special cats.
We couldn't do this without you. ❤️
And thank you to everyone who supports GCR and makes it possible for us to continue caring for our 28 long term fosters. Your support really does change lives.
