Scientist Albert Schweitzer said, “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” He is right, so here is something paws-itive you can do while quarantined.
These days, pet shelters are understaffed, some are closing, and some have had to put animals down. Don’t remain isolated by yourself, if able, adopt or foster a friendly, cuddly animal companion. Imagine if you are lonely, what must it be like trapped in a cage?
Sadly, some pet parents who cannot afford to feed their families are leaving their animals at shelters. On top of this, shelters are facing the added strain of rehoming pets whose owners have passed. Currently, the need for fosters is dire.
A positive aspect of being quarantined is that this is an ideal time to adopt or foster. Animals need out of the shelter and into homes. Now, you will have the time to train and love a furry companion.
The emotional need of nurturing, loving, helping and being together benefits all critters; human and pets. So, amidst a heartbreaking situation, this creates an opportunity to do good.
In 2019, Greenhill Humane Society cared for over 3,600 animals. Volunteer foster families cared for 626 of those animals. This year, they will require more foster homes.
“Fostering pets is rewarding!” said Sam Brezovar at Greenhill. “Open your hearts and homes to kittens, puppies and rabbits, nursing Moms with babies, as well as adult animals recovering from surgery or illness.
Our foster families get supplies and medical care for their foster pet during their time of fostering an animal. Our shelter and our animals rely on foster families and without them, we could not provide loving homes to as many deserving animals as we do each year.
We are conducting adoptions and returning FOUND animals by appointment. Our free community pet food bank is open for those who need support feeding their pets. Donations are welcome to support the shelters.”
Ashley at West Vancouver’s SPCA said, “We are currently taking in stray animals, emergencies, and want families to keep their animal companions, so we are working on setting up Pet Food Banks for those in need. Each animal shelter is trying their best to help. Check your shelters and see how you can help.”
In eight years, kitten-foster mother Lisa has cared for 150 kittens. “I encourage others to foster. It is so rewarding. After caring for so many homeless cats, the most frustrating aspect is that not enough people spay/neuter. Some people think in human terms, that their pet wants to parent, but their pet is doing what's instinctual. They don’t have an emotional connection to being a parent, or not.
The perspective of ‘Let's let her have one litter so she can experience being a mother’ doesn't fit when there are thousands of unwanted kittens.
People who won't and don’t neuter their male pets to ‘maintain their masculinity’ need to rethink their own masculinity. It is uneducated and a transference of personal issues to the pet when its known that neutered pets live healthier and longer. Unaltered pets have a higher risk of disease. If you love your animal, why put them at risk for testicular, ovarian or mammary cancer?
My cat Nikos was a ‘foster failure’. I fostered him, and he never left because I knew we had to stay together. He's a big sandy-colored, five-year-old, 13-pound tabby who insists that I carry him around the house over my shoulder like a baby. He has a kind heart and is a gentleman with the little fosters.”
Carson Daley, TV host, said, “Adopting pets is not only good for your soul, but also your body. It’s scientifically proven that a cat’s purr lowers high blood pressure.”
