by Catie

Created on: August 20, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Little did I know what I was getting into the day my mother called to inform me that there were 2 tiny and apparently orphaned kittens in the bushes near her patio. I guess that because I had 2 cats of my own she assumed I would know what to do.

Without a moment of hesitation I rushed over, scooped up the little ones and went home. Well, I said to myself, now what? I had no clue what to do next. In desperation, I called the breeder of my 2 Persians. She was full of all the knowledge I would ever needed to see to it that these 2 little balls of fluff survived.

But then I discovered I had another more serious problem. What was I going to do with the 2 little guys? I could not keep them and mother would not keep them. I wish I could remember where I got the name and phone number of a local rescue group that deals with stray animals. I'm sure that is another story all on its own. But, I called and explained my situation to them. They in turn explain their situation to me.

I instantly discovered that I was in this for the long haul and had no clue what was about to happen to my life! Seems that I would have to keep these little guys until they were older, bigger AND when there was a vacancy in the cage room at the shelter. If, and I stress If I wanted to become a shelter home for this organization I would be required to open my home for a complete and thorough inspection. Plus they would also need to see my own personal animals and observe their condition. I remember thinking at the time that it was easier to become a foster home for children than it was for the animals. I passed the inspection and became a foster/shelter home for Friends of Strays.

I had no clue what I was getting myself into but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Having fuzzy little kittens around all the time to play with sounded like something I would enjoy. No one mentioned the sleep deprivation, nor did they say anything about sick kitties and how hard it would be when one of them died.

Now don't get me wrong, I've been sheltering for them off and on for the past 11 years. I've loved every single minute of it including the hard times of illness and loss. Being a foster mommy to a kitten that is 2 or 3 days old who has no mommy is an experience worth its' weight in gold. To be the first thing that little life form sees when it opens its' eyes is an experience I will never get use to. They look at you with such awe and love. I swear you can see right into their soul.

While this is the most rewarding thing I have ever done, I had to quit for quite a while because I was simply burnt out by lack of sleep. I swore then that I would never do it again. I felt that it was just getting to be to hard on me. My health was suffering and I needed a break.

I stayed away from sheltering for a couple of years, but I have just recently returned. I never realized what caring for the little kittens actually did for me. Mother has noticed that I am more energetic, positive and not nearly as depressed. I feel better and look forward to waking up each day. My current group of kittens are about ready to return to the shelter so they can find their new forever mommies. I am already excited and looking forward to get my next litter of newborns.

In my opinion ,sheltering homeless and orphan animals is an experience of a life time. I feel truly blessed to be able to help out these little animals and actually change their lives.

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