Fostering Good for Grief

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Fostering Good for Grief

Very often after a cherished pet cat dies, the caretaker vows to never adopt another one because it hurts too much to lose them.

Such proclamations are completely understandable.  However, they are made in moments of profound grief.  And grief is, indeed, painful.  It is also a process that has to run its own course, and that course is different for everyone.

In years past, I've been guilty of stating the similar intention of never having another cat in my life.  I can now see that I have way too much love in my heart - and space in my home - to ever deny a kitty a happy and comfortable life when so many of them need it.

Sure enough, another cat would find its way into my life.  After my calico, Sunny, died, I knew I wanted to be involved with cats but wasn't sure about making another long term commitment to raising and caring for a cat.

I decided to become a foster parent for the SPCA.  Initially, I fostered sick cats back to health so they could then be adopted to forever homes.  Then I chose to foster kittens until they were old enough to be spayed and neutered and adopted out.

The plan worked very well for a couple of years.  I had cats in my life but without the long term commitment.  I had no problem letting the kittens go after my "job" was done.

And then came Laura.  She was a tiny feral occicat who was scared of everything!  It took weeks for her to trust me enough to even pick her up.  She was spayed and placed in the adoption center at Clinic for Cats.

But the gnawing ache in my chest and constant thought of her told me that she was "mine."  (In reality, I was "hers!")  As soon as I got her home, I knew it was the right decision.  My heart was bursting with love and joy.

Of course, I didn't want Laura to be "an only child," so off to the SPCA I went again.  Tiffany now completes our family - another kitty who "found" me.  Interesting how that happens.

If you've recently lost your cat, certainly take time to grieve and honor their memory.  But I would also encourage you to consider fostering for the SPCA.  They are always in desperate need of good foster homes.  It's a wonderful way to keep feline energy in your life, even if you're not sure about making a long term commitment.

Kathy operates Kathy's Cat Care in Nanaimo.  To book you kitty's vacation, call her at 755-9177, 816-9177 or contact her at kathyscatcare@shaw.ca