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Foster Kitties |
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Foster Kitties |
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It's like being in kitty jail!
Saber: (foster beginning September 27, 2003) Adoption story on his own webpage.
Male, 1
year
This is Saber's Dearborn Animal Shelter picture from Petfinder.
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Destiny ~~In Memoriam~~
I
fostered Destiny from August 15, 2001 -
September 29, 2001 when I adopted her. 
Open Your Home to
an Older Pet
by Cynthia Albright Kecskes
Dearborn Press & Guide Newspaper, Thursday, September 27,
2001, "Opinions" page, "Be Our Guest" column, page 6.
In August 1995, I became a Friend for the Dearborn Animal Shelter (FFDAS), volunteering my time in the shelter’s cat room on Saturdays grooming, naming and socializing kitties. I am what is known as an official "cat cuddler." And I love every minute of it.
This January, my cat succumbed to old age. Lucky was a beautiful 20-year-old green-eyed, black cat. This was the most heart-wrenching of losses, as he was my companion and brought me such joy.
Many older cats end up at the shelter, either as strays or owner-turn-ins. Most potential adopters desire kittens. Unfortunately, the Dearborn Animal Shelter is not able to accommodate a large number of cats. Therefore, as space runs out, it is the older cats that must make the final sacrifice.
This is such a waste, because older cats make great pets. Just because a cat is 8 or 10 years old, doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of years it can give a family companionship, fun, entertainment and love. They are just middle-aged, with a possible life span of 22 years.
With an older cat, you can determine what their personality is. Kittens are cute, but they grow up, too. One other advantage to adopting an older cat is that you do not have to go through the "Velcro-kitten" phase, when the kitten does not know how to control its razor-sharp claws and becomes permanently attached to your clothes or curtains.
Three weeks ago, a scraggly, old,
fat, green-eyed, black domestic short hair was abandoned at the shelter. She is
spayed, four-paw declawed and about ten years old. I named her Destiny. 
She was badly in need of combing, which she loves. She purred loud and gave me kitty kisses. As I held her, I realized that in order to honor Lucky, it was my destiny to foster older cats. Destiny, oh my gosh, I had named her Destiny! I informed the shelter manager that if it came to a decision about Destiny’s fate, I would foster her until space became available. A couple of weeks later I was told there was no space at the shelter and Destiny was the next to be euthanized. I picked her up after work.
We are entering our fourth week of co-habitating. She is very sweet, loves to be held and sleeps on my lap. She has already decided that my son’s chair and bedroom are hers. Her coat is nice and shiny. I think she is learning her new name. In fact, she is sleeping right next to me as I am typing this.
There are many other older cats at the shelter needing loving families: Jasmine is a BBC (big, beautiful cat), 7-year-old tortoiseshell domestic short hair (DSH). She purrs when you hold and pet her. Her brother, Sebastion, a neutered DSH, gray and white, friendly male is waiting with her. Booter and Casey are male, neutered and front-paw declawed.
Ten-year-old Booter is a DSH tiger and 5-year-old Casey is an orange long hair. They had a home, but their owners got a new puppy and he didn’t like the cats, so they were dropped off at the shelter, no longer wanted. These two would love to be adopted together. Then there’s Maxi and Baxi, and Michelle, and Connie, and Homer and... Too many to name.
I urge you to consider adopting an older cat. They make such wonderful, loving companions. And they don’t ask for much: food, water, shelter, a litter box and some love. Please visit the Dearborn Animal Shelter, 2661 Greenfield near I94. Or call 313-943-2697 and ask about the adoption procedure. Or check out the web site at http://www.dearborn-animals.com/.
Getting back to my original reason for writing this column. I am looking for someone to adopt Destiny. She’s litter-box trained. Doesn’t have any claws—can’t ruin the furniture or scratch anyone. Absolutely adores being held and combed. Purrs like crazy. Sleeps in my lap. Loves people. Likes belly rubs. Follows me around. Comes when called. A really good kitty. Hmmm. Don’t you think she would be a perfect pet? Is she your Destiny? I hope I have convinced someone out there. Or, maybe I have. Is she my Destiny? What do you think?
Adopted - September 29, 2001 - Pictures from Destiny's first day in
her new home.
UPDATE:
Destiny has made herself very much
at home. She sleeps on the lazy boy, on or under my son's bed, on the
couch, in her bed and under a table that is covered with a tablecloth. I
think she likes the privacy. Sometimes, she just plops in the middle of
the living room floor, but always on top of the white furry toy pictured
above. I think she thinks it is her kitten. She also liked sleeping
under (and behind) the Christmas tree.
"I like to pose real pretty for Cinny. She says I'm a good
girl."
Destiny's nickname is "Sweetikins."
She purrs so loud when she's on my lap and sometimes even falls asleep
contentedly. She is not very active and seems to be a one-person
cat---me. However, she does let other people pet her. The outdoors
absolutely terrifies her and she sometimes flinches when a hand comes towards
her. I just wonder what her first ten years were like.
Christmas 2002
June 8, 2003 - Destiny quietly passed away while I was with her. I believe she was a lot older than the shelter thought--I think she was at least 16 years old and very decrepit. She was a very sweet kitty.
