We couldn't help hundreds of cats each year without the dedication of our fosters and volunteers. This month, we wanted to highlight two of those incredible people - Jen and Matt - who in 2016 alone, fostered, volunteered, and adopted!
Early in 2016, Jen and Matt took in Ben, a cat who was full of personality, but had been diagnosed with FIV and FeLV (feline Leukemia). In need of a space outside the shelter, Jen and Matt opened their door and began fostering. It didn't take long for them to fall in love and make him a permanent member of the family.
Ben's favorite way to be held - like a baby!
Going into the adoption, they knew Ben had a short life expectancy, but wanted to give him a loving home for as long as they had with him. Ben was in Jen and Matt's care for about 7 months before his passing. Having previously spent his life on the streets, those seven months had to be some of the happiest of his life.
In the fall, Jen and Matt decided they were ready to open up their home to another foster. Having volunteered in our transition space at Cat Town, they'd fallen in love with another FIV+ cat named Lowell, who was looking for temporary housing while healing from and upper respiratory infection. So off he went, and by the 1st of December, Jen and Matt knew they couldn't let him go.
Lowell poses for the camera, leaving Matt to do all the work.
With only one month left in the year, Jen and Matt were still eager to invite another foster into their home. Puck is one of the more challenging cats we've helped. When we first met him at the shelter, any attempt at pets was met with aggressive swatting. He needed a special, understanding kind of foster, and Jen and Matt were up to the task!
When Puck made it to their home, he and Lowell hit it off almost right away, and for the third time in 2016, Jen and Matt decided they couldn't let their foster cat get away - Puck was home for good!
Jen and Puck enjoy some petting time, while Lowell relaxes with Matt.
Jen and Matt's capacity to open their home and hearts to some of our neediest cats has been such a gift! We are so moved by their compassion and dedication to our mission.
Puck and Lowell, comfy and cozy in their home.