“You can't save them all, but if you can make a difference in just one life, you've still made a world of difference for someone.”
Of all the advice I’ve been given, quotes I’ve heard, words of wisdom I’ve read, the above phrase is hands down the one I refer back to more than any other. Here's why:
It Takes a Village...
I volunteer with animal rescues (feral cats to be specific) and I also foster. Sadly, where I currently live, I am only able to have my own cat plus one foster, but there was a time I had more fosters. Some were feral, others were stray or rescued from death row at the shelter just before they were to be put down. Some have since been adopted, but all are happy, healthy, warm and loved…something that would not be possible without foster parents opening their homes to these precious kitties. The foster community is not nearly large enough, but we all work together trying to make difficult things happen so the rescue groups can focus on making the impossible happen.
Shared With Prayers
I find it so frustrating when people claim to be saddened by the suffering of homeless and feral cats, but so many are unwilling to help them beyond sharing a post or responding to something with a sad face. I get so mad when I hear “I ALWAYS share posts like that. It just breaks my heart…” well here’s a thought…DO something to help! There is always something you can do. Money is obviously a huge factor and people running rescue groups often dip into their own pockets and go without just to make ends meet, to provide food and litter to their fosters or to save the next injured cat, but money doesn’t cure all.
A very large part of rescue groups is the need to rely on volunteers to foster cats, give them a warm place to stay, food in their bellies, love in their hearts and a “normal” life while they wait for their forever homes. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see cats turned away or left out in the cold simply because there are not enough volunteers to meet the demand for cozy corners to curl up in. In most cases, it’s nothing to add the companionship of a cat or two. You’re not only saving a life, but you’re doing something good, supporting a cause and improving your own life in the process.
My Boy
My own foster, Porter, came to me with his brother (since adopted), they were ferals living in the cold Newfoundland winter when they were rescued. Both are a still work in progress but we had almost given up hope that they would come around at all (in which case, we would have continued to love them as they were.) 4 years later and Porter is glued to me at all times, spoiled beyond belief, gets what he wants when he wants and has recently taken control of my tv since the introduction of bird videos. Not bad for a cat that not only wouldn't let anyone touch him, but would run and hide if you simply looked at him.
Because of this, I have decided to start the year of with raising awareness about the importance of fostering rescue animals. It is something so incredibly close to my heart, I can’t stand that so many cats suffer, live terrified in little cages, or are deemed “undesirable” and put down because there are so few people willing to help or to take a chance on them. My Porter would be tagged as one of those undesirables had he not had somewhere to go and someone to love him unconditionally and yet, I can’t picture life without the dramatic, comical, lovable, demanding, ridiculous little jerk.
Do yourself a favor, contact a local rescue group, open your home, and foster a cat (or 10) in need and make a difference in someone’s life. I promise you won’t regret it.
“Adopt. If you can’t adopt, foster. If you can’t foster, volunteer. If you can’t volunteer, donate. If you can’t donate, educate.”
