Cairns Woman's Extraordinary Fostering Journey: Over 5000 Kittens Saved
In the tropical city of Cairns, resident Diane Sloman has become a local legend through her unwavering commitment to animal welfare. Over the past thirteen years, she has fostered an astonishing more than 5000 kittens, transforming her home into a sanctuary for vulnerable felines in need.
The Beginning of a Lifelong Passion
Sloman's remarkable journey began with a simple adoption. "I guess this all started for me when we adopted a kitten and I found out you could do fostering," she recalls. What started as a modest agreement with her veterinarian to care for approximately twenty cats annually has blossomed into a massive operation. "We now take in about 40 every month," Sloman explains. "We just got past our 5000th intake a month ago."
Community Support Through Bunnings Partnership
The financial demands of this compassionate work are substantial, with veterinary bills reaching up to $12,000 monthly. To manage these costs, Sloman relies heavily on community fundraising initiatives. Her local Bunnings Warehouse allows her to host monthly barbecue events that typically raise around $2500 toward veterinary expenses.
"We rely on our barbecues with Bunnings to pay a lot of our vet bills," Sloman acknowledges. "We have been regularly doing Bunnings barbecues for five or six years now." The partnership has expanded beyond barbecues to include craft stalls at seasonal markets, providing additional fundraising opportunities throughout the year.
The Challenges and Rewards of Fostering
Fostering thousands of kittens presents both emotional and physical challenges. Sloman is on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies involving stray kittens and to support other foster carers in crisis situations. The work often requires nighttime feedings for the tiniest felines, some weighing as little as 100 grams.
"Getting up at 2am to feed the kittens is not so easy when you're getting older," Sloman admits. "It's hard, because you do lose a few." Despite these difficulties, her dedication has earned her recognition as a Bunnings Warehouse Community Legend nominee.
A Parallel Story of Family Sacrifice
In another inspiring Australian story, Luke Thurgate made a life-altering decision to prioritize family over career. When his parents' health began declining, Thurgate left his high-stress construction management position after twenty-two years in the industry.
"I just thought I needed to re-prioritize things when my mum got really sick," Thurgate explains. He secured a groundsman position at Georgina Hostel and Aged Care in Brisbane's Morningside, where his father now resides as one of the few non-Indigenous residents in the primarily First Nations facility.
Finding Purpose Through Community Connection
Thurgate's career change has brought unexpected fulfillment. "It just made me realize how short life is," he reflects. "What is important is the time that I have with my wife and my kids and making them happy. It has been absolutely life-changing for me. I have found my place in life."
His new workplace has also benefited from Bunnings support, with the Cannon Hill store providing gardening assistance and respectful engagement with elderly residents. "Bunnings has been outstanding ever since," Thurgate notes, highlighting how corporate community partnerships can create meaningful impact.
The Broader Impact of Community Commitment
These two stories demonstrate how individual dedication, supported by community resources, can create substantial positive change. From animal rescue to elder care, Australians are finding innovative ways to address social needs through partnerships with businesses like Bunnings Warehouse.
Sloman's kitten rescue operation continues to grow, supported by:
- Monthly Bunnings barbecue fundraisers
- Community donations and volunteer assistance
- Seasonal market craft stalls for additional funding
- Emergency response availability for foster carers
Both Sloman and Thurgate exemplify how personal sacrifice and community collaboration can transform lives—whether feline or human—creating stronger, more compassionate communities across Australia.
