Joey: My First Fostering Experience

After losing the "love of my life" - my cat, Spunky - I became interested in joining cat rescue groups. When I picked up my first rescue kitties from Sacramento Animal Control, they were all very sick with the infamous Upper Respiratory Infection, and were not able to leave my home. Several visits to the vet, and some weeks later, the cats were well, and had fit nicely into my household. I named them Josie, Ellie and Cassie. Much to my surprise, I discovered one day that Josie was really a "Joey" when I found him with Ellie in a somewhat "compromising position." So, off we went back to the vet for "alterations."

Thereafter, I had these three terrific cats sleeping on my bed, following me around the house, "supervising" my computer work, etc. Then, I was contacted by a lovely couple in Antioch, who had recently lost their beloved Maine Coon. They were very interested in meeting Joey.

After several emails back and forth, we made arrangements for the couple to travel to Sacramento, where I met them at my office with Joey. It was as if Joey knew he was "auditioning" for their hearts! He promptly jumped up in both of their laps; he played with them, interacted with them, and while we were talking, sat on the arm of the chair and leaned on them. That was all it took. They decided to adopt him, and he is living "happily ever after" in Antioch. I still hear from his family, the Gellers, who regale me with "Joey" stories. He has become the king of the house, adopted their two domestic short hair females as his own, and we all could not be happier.

After rescuing these animals and seeing them blossom under my care, love and good nutrition, I knew that the life of a rescuer was for me. I have rescued over 25 cats since then (including Rag Dolls), and would not trade those experiences for anything in the world.

Mary Dee
March 2004