With the cold winter weather upon the southwest, one Swift Current resident is doing her best to help the furry animals in need.

Former SPCA employee Pamela Cherney is continuing her care of stray kittens and cats even after leaving the community-funded animal shelter.

"It was working at the SPCA, I just saw a real need for it (extra homes for animals)," Cherney said. "The SPCA is always full and when they're full there is nobody to help the cats, so I just help one or two stray cats at a time."

Cherney follows a group on Facebook that makes a post when they find a cat and if the cat isn't claimed in a few days she will then take it in.

"I typically just deal with kittens," she added. "Just because it's easier to bring them into your home and it doesn't really cause much stress for my cats."

Currently, Cherney has two cats of her own, Hannah and Deedee, in addition to welcoming four stray cats into her home. She says she has been fostering cats for a couple of years. 

The turnover rate per feline for Cherney is approximately one month before she can find them a suitable home.

"It's hard (to let them go) because I do fall in love with all of them," she told Swift Current Online. "I do have a pretty good relationship with most of the people who adopt from me, so I get to see pictures and updates - that makes me happy."

Even though she suffers from Multiple Sclerosis she believes taking care of the stray cats and finding them the homes they deserve is the least she can do.

"I think that I make a big difference for those few cats I can take in," she said on Monday afternoon. "To deal with more cats, I probably wouldn't just because I have to leave the house and get them vaccinated or get them food. As long as I can have animals in my house I won't stop."

Those looking for additional opportunities to adopt a pet will have their chance this weekend at Pet Valu Swift Current in the Wheatland Mall. As the SPCA Swift Current will have a number of their cats on site on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. as part of National Adoption Weekend.