She won't stray from her goal

"Who says children can't make a difference?" asks Cheryl Lauren Natalie Christie. "Of course children can make a difference, at different levels, for different things. You just have to make the time and put in some effort to get things done."
No, this is not an adult talking.

This is a 15-year-old girl, studying at the International School of Choueifat, Sharjah, who believes in every word she says. Apart from all the regular tasks a school-going teenager has to perform, Cheryl has taken on an additional one – she is an active member of Feline Friends, Sharjah.

Well that's not quite correct. She's actually the vice-president.

From the age of 12, Cheryl has been rescuing and fostering stray cats, participating in charity events and other shows, the proceeds of which go to Feline Friends.

When she is not busy with her studies or preparing for her GCSE O levels, she spends her time recruiting volunteers for Feline Friends, finding the right homes for rescued cats, helping organise events, participating in school fairs, preparing her four-legged friends for various feline and canine shows ... or simply following up on homed cats.

She has her own pet cat – a lovely Persian called Sheeba. At the time I met her, she was also personally taking care of two rescued cats. How does she find the time to do all this?

"More than time, it's the effort," says Cheryl. "You have to be committed to the cause because once someone has rescued a cat, you can't rest until you've found a home for it." Which, she says, is one of the more difficult tasks.

With most people living in apartments and leading extremely busy lives, even a passionate animal lover will think twice before agreeing to adopt a pet. Nevertheless, Cheryl enjoys every minute of her role as vice-president of Feline Friends.

"I am an only child and I have always loved animals. My mum loves dogs (she had three of them in Sri Lanka and at the time I was just a baby). My dad loves animals too.''

As a child, Cheryl was extremely allergic to cat's fur. "I only had to be next to one and the sneezing would start and my skin would erupt in a rash.'' But she was so passionately fond of cats "the allergy did not deter me from playing with the many kittens in my aunt's house in Sri Lanka.

"But it would get my mom quite worried." For a long time, Cheryl was not allowed to have pets "because the apartment we lived in didn't allow dogs and my mom, who disliked cats, wouldn't get one for me.'' When she turned six, her parents got her a pet goldfish and
a few lovebirds.

"But I still wanted a ‘real' pet. You see, fish and lovebirds really don't interact with the humans the way dogs or cats do.''

After a lot of cajoling, her parents finally agreed to follow up on an advertisement which appeared in a local newspaper about a Persian cat whose owner wanted to give it away.

"My mum had a condition though – ‘If you start to sneeze, we get out of there'. I remember praying hard all the way that I wouldn't sneeze. And when I saw Sheeba, it was love at first sight.

"The quarter hour that I was with her was really bad because I was trying so hard not to sneeze!''

Presuming that she had outgrown her allergy, her parents got her the kitten. "After some time, my mum too got used to Sheeba and from then on it was terrific.'' From being the owner of one cat to becoming a finder of homes for many was but a short step for a feline friend like Cheryl.

"One day, I was walking with my mum in the car park when I heard a kitten mewing. We looked around and saw the poor thing huddled in a corner. She was barely a month old and obviously separated from her mother. After much begging and pleading with my mum, I was allowed to bring the kitten home.

"Back home, after giving her a good brush, we called Feline Friends Dubai, who put me in touch with Cristina Docks, president of Feline Friends Sharjah.''

Cristina asked Cheryl if she could look after the kitten for a fortnight till a home could be found for her. Naturally, Cheryl was thrilled to assist with the request.

"The kitten was adorable, and quite hyperactive unlike my Persian. By the end of two weeks, Cristina found a home for the kitten and he was gone. The house was so silent and different without him.''

This incident set her thinking. "I wanted to be part of an animal welfare organisation. A few months later, after participating in some fund-raising for K-9 Friends, I called up their president to ask if I could join them as a volunteer. But they said I had to be at least 16 or 18 years of age."

Neverthless, her ability to be a foster mum to the rescued kitten was noted by Cristina who called Cheryl a while later with another request. Would she foster another rescued kitten for a week or two?

"Before I knew it, I was an active member of Feline Friends Sharjah."As time passed, her involvement only got deeper. Her parents too began to take interest in her commitment.

"Once my dad rescued three Gordon's Wildcat kittens at 4.30am on his way back from the airport – that's how involved he became," laughs Cheryl. Her mother, Sarojini, plays a quiet, but vital role in the lives of all the cats Cheryl rescues and fosters.

An unassuming figure who can be spotted at Feline Friends' booth during their various fairs and events, she may not be as vocal as her daughter but her commitment is just as strong. "She helps me a lot,'' says Cheryl of her mother. "Without her, I would not be able to help as many kittens as I have.''

As though on cue, Sheeba walks up to her and Cheryl's face instantly lights up as she picks up her pet passion and cuddles her.