My husband & I have an announcement to make. We have decided to become foster parents. We have one little girl, she is 9 years old, the apple of my eye and a real mama’s girl. But we saw this beautiful faces, and we couldn’t say no. It’s true, we’re going to foster a rescue cat.

The cats available for adoption at 15th June 2012

Most people have reacted to this with words of encouragement. Although a few have been quietly (actually, not so quietly) sceptical. There have been a number of concerns raised about bringing a cat into our home, will he get along OK with our current cat? Will they fight? Will he bring diseases? What of the ongoing costs? Why risk it?

My cat is 9 years old. Her name is Isobel, although we call her Belle or Bella. She was the only cat her in her litter, her mother was an OK mother but not a great one (as opposed to Bella herself, who was an amazing mother), she was born beside my bed and was only a few weeks old before she moved from the box to in my bed itself. Growing up she slept every night in my arms, and she did not socialise with other cats. If I’m honest, I don’t think she even realises she is a cat.

Her father was my much loved cat, and he was stolen/killed/went missing before we found out Nalia (my mother’s cat) was pregnant to him (we bred cats). She was the only kitten, and so she was much wanted and loved from birth.

She grew up with multiple cats in the house and the only cat she ever had a problem with was another breeding queen, and that cat did not have a very nice temperament. Will she fight with a new cat? I am pretty confident she won’t, but will he fight with her? I don’t know.

The cat we have selected is Lionel. He was picked up from the pound in a terrible state and is somewhere between 4 and 6 years old. He is grumpy and does not like adoption days, so we are taking him as he has been unable to find a forever home. We debated between Lionel and Merlin, but there have been inquiries about adopting Merlin so we ended up deciding to go with the cat who had the least opportunity.

Lionel

For most of the concerns and the questions, I don’t have answers (although he will be vaccinated, have a full health check and costs will be covered), except one.

Why do it?

Because how could I look at his face and say no? Everyone deserves a home, and someone to love them. Even if they are covered in fur.

T.

Would you consider adopting or rescuing a cat? Do you have a pet? How did you get the pet you have? 

If you would be interested in adopting, fostering, or sponsoring a cat, you can contact North Shore Animal Rescue here. 

This post has not been sponsored. 

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