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Community cats are an underdog': Inside the secret world of northern Va. cat colonies ABC7 News interviews 4Paws volunteers who TNR feral cats 4Paws volunteers Lisa Willey and Marsha Herndon were recently featured on ABC7 News highlighting their Trap Neuter Return efforts for feral cats in the northern Virginia area. See the video and read the story! Volunteer Seamstress in the Spotlight Meet Quinn! She is the daughter of one of our volunteers who recently sewed and sold bandanas for dogs. With the procedes, she purchased food for 4Paws kitties. Thanks Quinn!
Two Foster Families in the Spotlight Paul and Christine
Paul was happy with the two cats his family started with after their
dogs and a rabbit died. But his wife Christine “couldn’t stop,” once
she started fostering cats, he laughs. Tom & Dianna
Tom and his wife Dianna, of Vienna, have fostered about 300 cats since
1998. That includes two black cats named Rita and Hunter, which have
been living in the guest room for a year. Despite the long-term
residency, Tom said the couple still considers the duo foster cats.
4Paws’
Extends Thanks on Behalf of 100+ Cats… But it’s not all cleaning. The store volunteers also hold the cats and give them lots of petting and chin scratches. Some cats even like to walk around the store on a leash. While at the store, the volunteers also talk with people about the cats, their personalities, and the adoption process. Often, this personal attention and the opportunity to pet and hold a store cat are all it takes to reassure a prospective adopter that this is the right cat for their family.
Marylyn started volunteering with her daughter in 2001 as a part of a
school service project. While he daughter’s school project has ended,
Marylyn continues to stop by the Petco to care for the store cats.
Marylyn says one time per week might seem like a lot but when she comes
by the store and see how appreciative the cats are for her attention it
“cleanses the soul.” Also a long time volunteer, Claire started volunteering by fostering cats in 1998. After fostering kitties, Claire began caring for 4Paws cats in the store. Since that time, she’s continued to stop by the store at least one day per week and now even visits the cats two days per week. With such frequent visits, she really gets to know the cats quickly! As a result of all of their time and energy, 113 cats have been rescued from the streets and placed into permanent loving homes. Thank you, Claire, Marylyn and John for what you have done and continue to do for cats who would otherwise still be hungry and on the street. |
| 48 Cats Later… A volunteer with 4Paws since 2001, Carol and her family have fostered and sent 48 cats and kittens to their new homes. In addition to serving as a foster parent, Carol has been 4Paws’ event planner — coordinating parties for the volunteers as well as organizing and hosting 4Paws' first yard sale. Of course, all of this is made much easier with the help of her daughter, Alex, and her husband, Wayne. It’s a family effort!  Carol also participates in educational seminars
for children to teach them the appropriate handling and treatment of
animals. Accompanied by other volunteers as well as Daphne (the
family’s 4Paws adoptee—a beautiful tuxedo cat), Carol demonstrates the
proper way to approach, handle and groom cats. While Carol and other
4Paws volunteers talk to the kids, Daphne likes to sniff out the tuna
sandwiches in the kids’ back packs“How Can You Give Them Up?” When others learn that Carol fosters cats, the most frequent inquiry she gets is “How can you give them up?” Carol explains that when you see the huge number of cats needing homes out there and you meet the wonderful adopters, it’s easy. “All they need is time,” Carol says. The cats and kittens need a few weeks in a safe and loving home until that permanent forever home comes along. Closure |
time after cats were rescued from foreclosed homes or farms and were
awaiting other foster homes. She’s adopted four of them over the years.
volunteer, say every new foster home is a chance for them to rescue a
pet from shelters ready to euthanize them or off the streets. It also
gives the groups a chance to learn more about the animals’ health and
behavior so they can best describe and match them with prospective
adopters. 
shy and can only walk on three legs, is a bit less likely to find a
home, they worry. They once fostered two kittens with leukemia for the
two years they survived.
Claire, Marylyn and John have
standing dates at Petco. One day per week, each volunteer visits the
4Paws cats at the Alexandria Petco to offer the cats their daily TLC,
food and clean cage. It’s no easy task. They must manage to refresh
water bowls and sweep the cages while not allowing the cats to escape
for a run around the store. 
While it is a big commitment,
these volunteers have continued to care for 4Paws cats for several
years now. John says that when his personal and work life gets a little
busy he considers taking a break from volunteering but he never has.
Instead, he asks for help from the substitute store volunteers to fill
in when he is unable to come. As such, he’s been a consistent volunteer
at the Alexandria store for several years. 