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.
About 14 years and “thousands” of foster kittens and cats later,
Herndon resident Christine is a foster superstar. She’s had nearly 80
cats in cages at her house at one
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.
Welcome to the world of pet fostering, where it’s easy to get attached,
but a risk rescue groups and foster families say is worth taking.
Groups such as 4Paws, where they volunteer, say every new foster home
is a chance for them to rescue another pet from shelters ready to
euthanize them or from other risky situations. 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.
Paul and Christine own two cats are former fosters, a common scenario.
4Paws President Barbara Lipson said adopting one of their foster pets
often makes it easier for foster families to give up kittens and cats
when they find permanent homes.
“They always have that furry reminder of why they are volunteering for
4paws and of all the good they are doing by fostering,” said Lipson.
Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, which has a ranch in Sumerduck,
Va., hosts five adoptions fairs a weekend at Petsmart locations in
Northern Virginia and finds homes for dozens of pets a week. Christina
Perez-Bass, the group’s foster coordinator, said its 94 foster homes
are critical to its success.
“It helps us socialize the dogs and find their real personalities,”
said Perez-Bass. “And it’s fantastic for the dogs to have another place
to belong.”
The five fosters at their house include Buff Baby, an outgoing
plus-size tan cat with Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV); Goodness, a
gray and white cat they rescued after she was nearly split in half by a
Pit Bull; and, Princess Tilly, a long-haired gray cat that gets a shave
each summer that leaves her looking like a lion. Princess Tilly is so
friendly they bring her to local schools when she gives talks about
animal rescue.
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.
Welcome to the world of pet fostering, where it’s easy to get attached,
but a risk rescue groups and foster families say is worth taking.
Groups such as 4Paws, where they
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.
Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, which has a ranch in Sumerduck,
Va., hosts five adoptions fairs a weekend at Petsmart locations in
Northern Virginia and finds homes for dozens of pets a week. Christina
Perez-Bass, the group’s foster coordinator, said Lost Dog’s 94 foster
homes are critical to its success.
“It helps us socialize the dogs and find their real personality,” said
Perez-Bass. “And it’s fantastic for the dogs to have another place to
belong.”
They already own a dog and cat that started out as foster pets and a
cat they adopted after its owner, a neighbor, died. So they remain
hopeful the lovable, plus-size Hunter will get adopted at one of 4Paws’
adoption fairs at local Petco stores. Rita, who is quite
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.
“We tend to get the ones that stay awhile,” said Tom with a smile.
4Paws President Barbara Lipson said adopting one of their foster pets
often makes it easier for foster “parents” to give up kittens and cats
when they find permanent homes.
“They always have that furry reminder of why they are volunteering for
4paws and of all the good they are doing by fostering,” said Lipson.
“If adopting a cat makes it easier for them to continue fostering then
I'm all for it.”
4Paws’
Extends Thanks on Behalf of 100+ Cats…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
Delivering the adopted cats to their new homes is something in which
Carol and her daughter, Alex, take delight. It also provides a sense of
closure when they can see the home where the cat will be living and
meet the family. It also helps to maintain a “Baby Album” featuring
photos of all the cats and kittens that they have fostered. Alex says
the best is when the adoptive families send photos. Carol proudly
states that she has never disliked any of the adoptive families.
Decline in Donations—Decline in Rescued Cats
Carol says that the most disturbing thing she has noticed in the past
few years is the decline in donations. “It’s sad to see the effect on
the cats. With fewer donations we are forced to decrease the number of
cats we can rescue. If we can’t pay the vet bills then we can’t rescue
them.”
No Task Too Small
Carol believes that whether you help set up cages, wash bedding, make
phone calls or foster cats, it’s all helpful and keeps 4Paws operating
and saving feline lives. Completely run by volunteers, the group is
heavily dependent on the time and resources of its volunteers. No task
is too small!
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