Featured Foster Felines!
Why Adopt a Foster Cat?
This week we are highlighting all the incredible cats that we have who are in foster care. We place cats into foster care for two main reasons. The most common is that they find the shelter environment overwhelming, especially in cases where they have spent their whole lives in a home. These cats come across as very timid and often defensive in the shelter, but once in a foster home, blossom into cuddly and sweet cats. The other reason is for medical conditions which require monitoring, special care, or daily medications.
Adopting a cat that has been in a foster home is great because they have been getting one-on-one care and attention, and their fosters can tell you exactly what they are like in the home. Plus, these cats generally are in care for longer, as they don't get the exposure that they would have gotten at the shelter. Many of our foster cats have been waiting for a forever home for a year or more. Read below on our currently adoptable cats who have been spending time in committed and loving foster homes, and get in touch to arrange to meet them!
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Loki
Loki is our current longest resident cat, and has been in our care since July 14th of 2021 - that's almost 600 days of waiting for a home! We're not sure why this gentle and mellow cat has been overlooked so many times, because in many ways, he is the purrfect cat. He is relaxed and sweet, great with other cats, dogs, and kids, and is a no-fuss kind of guy who is playful and cuddly. Loki does have early-stage kidney disease, but he is stable on a renal diet and daily medications (which he eats out of your hand like a tasty treat). Because he has been in our care for so long, he has stayed in a few different foster homes for a number of months at a time, and always settles in quickly and without complaint. Each of his fosters have remarked about how they are shocked he hasn't been adopted as he is truly an incredible companion! Loki hasn't had a single application or meet and greet in the 600 days he's been in our care - maybe you could change that?
Here's what his current foster home has to say about him: "Loki has been in foster with us since July and is loving life, but he sure would be a lot happier if he found his forever home! We are truly puzzled how he hasn't been scooped up yet, especially with his handsome looks and all the progress he's made since being with us. Visitors used to spook him a bit, but over time he has learned that more humans around him just means more opportunities for head scratches - bring it on! He still likes to find a hiding place from time to time, but he has come a long way and we hope someone will give him a chance. He can't wait to meet you!"
Here's what one of his previous foster homes has to say about him: "This sweet boy melts my heart everyday with his purrs and demands for attention. He loves cuddles and keeps us laughing with his silly quirks! Loki lives for pets/scratches, toys and catnip. In between, he naps in comfy spots and spectates from his cat tree while waiting for the shake of a treat bag. Loved taking care of little Loki! "
What are you waiting for? We think it is long overdue that this mellow and sensitive boy finds an amazing family to call his own!
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Riley
Riley is the ideal example of how a little TLC and patience can completely transform a cat's temperament and demeanour. In the shelter, Riley was very mistrustful of humans, and would defend herself if you tried to approach her space. She spent her days up high or in hidey holes, and was clearly very stressed. After moving into a foster home, Riley blossomed into a cat unrecognizable from the one we saw at the shelter! With her trusted foster mom, Riley is cuddly, sociable, and loving. While still skittish, with her trusted people she is talkative, cuddly, and even sleeps in bed - the ultimate sign of trust. Riley recently celebrated a year in our care, and while we are thrilled to have given Riley the opportunity to discover the kindness of humans, we hope that 2023 is her year to find a forever home!
Here's what her foster has to say about her: "Riley is a tentative yet very curious kitty. She needs a bit of time to get used to you but once she knows she can trust you she will be your best friend. She will follow you around and absolutely loves cuddling up on the couch (or bed if you'll let her). In fact the only thing she loves more than lounging is treats!! She has become quite fond of her new cat tree and takes her responsibility of neighbourhood watch very seriously, but her new favourite pastime is catching the evening sun and some bird watching on the deck. She is 7 so her kitten years are behind her but she still has a bit of play left in her, catnip toys definitely interest her. She doesn't love being picked up, in fact she much prefer humans when they are sitting down, she's only small after all. Loud noises and new people are also not her favourite things but she will be the most loyal companion to the human she is comfortable with."
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Poppy
Poppy is another long-term resident, who has been in our care since November of 2021. She was surrendered with a feline companion, and while her buddy got adopted within weeks, Poppy took longer to come around. She spent many months at the shelter, and slowly became friendly and sociable with staff and volunteers she saw often. Despite coming out of her shell, she was overlooked time and time again. After spending so long in the shelter, we thought she might like a change of scenery and to move to a foster home instead. Gone was the quiet, introverted cat we had known, and a talkative, affectionate cat emerged instead. She now enjoys being cuddled in bed, carried around the house like a baby, and is even learning to adventure outside on a harness and leash.
Here's what her foster has to say about her: "After a short adjustment period, Poppy has become very chatty (with lots to say!), and constantly wants your attention and love. She loves playing with toys, finding cozy little spots to hide in, and napping with my favourite humans!"
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Daisy
Daisy is a mature cat, at 8 years old, who struggled to adapt to shelter life after spending her entire life up to this point in a home. She made it clear that she was used to being an only child, and had no interest in sharing her space with other felines. We found her a quiet foster home where she wouldn't have to compete with other cats for attention, and her loving side quickly re-emerged once her stress levels decreased. Daisy is a cat who bonds strongly with one person in the household, and devotes all her love and affection to that person. She would be a phenomenal and loyal companion for a single person, or in a quiet household where she can be pampered and spoiled. She has recently started adventuring outside on a harness and leash, so the sky is the limit with this fantastic feline!
Here's what her foster has to say about her: "Daisy is a lovely cat, and she has settled in well. She is very affectionate. She is my avid fan, follows me around the house and always wants to be by my side. While she can be a bit timid with strangers, she is happy to let people pet her, but only when I'm not around. She can have a bit of a sass if others try to pet her when she is with me. That's why we call her a one-person cat, but she never gets aggressive. She's very sweet. She is quiet, clean, and doesn't make a mess or wake me up at night. Couldn't ask more from a cat really. Daisy is a pleasure to have around, and I know she will make a wonderful companion for someone looking for a loyal and loving feline friend."
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Benny and Thomas
Benny (grey and white) arrived into our care in April of 2022, and Thomas (black and white) a few months later. Both cats tested positive for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), which impairs a cat's immune system making them more susceptible to disease, and is linked to a higher incidence of cancer later in life. Unfortunately, this virus has no cure, and can be transmitted from an infected cat to a healthy one. However, because Thomas and Benny are both already carriers for this virus, they were able to be roomed together, and have formed a very sweet brotherly friendship. We moved these bonded besties into a foster home to give them a bit more space to stretch their legs, as they were confined to an isolation room here at the shelter to protect the rest of our cat population. Although they have formed a friendship, cuddling and play-wrestling together, these boys would be okay to go their separate ways if it meant finding homes, but we would be so pleased if they could be adopted out together. Both boys are happy and healthy at this time, and can live full and healthy lives with proper precautions, despite their FeLV diagnosis. They are so deserving of forever homes to live out their days!
Here's what their current foster home has to say about them: "Benny: Or as I like to call him, Benzodiazapam because he's so chill. He would live his life in a cuddle puddle if he could. He's so sweet with me and gives me headbutts and face smooshes every opportunity he gets. He thrives in a quieter environment as he's still skittish with certain noises such as the blender and our garage opening... and my husband's loud sneezes. I do think that's mainly because he's so calm that the noises are disruptive! Thomas: AKA Big Tommy.... is still very much a kitten and has a lot of kitten things to do. He's a busy bee and still quite curious of everything. He is a very confident kitty! Thankfully he has not been destructive but we've set him up for success by not leaving anything (especially food) out. He LOVES playing fetch with the crinkly toy that we got him. I throw it up the stairs and he retrieves it, brings it to me and puts it on the ground for me to throw again. I get tired out before he does! Thomas also loves belly rubs and has a lot of dog-like qualities that are so charming. He likes a strong pet and is his preference. He'll let me pet him for a long time if it's a firm rub. He's a vocal guy and loves our morning conversations. Thomas does cuddle on his own terms but when he does he melts into you. Thomas and Benny: They cuddle and play together and groom each other. Benny would love more cuddles and tries to scootch in with Thomas but Thomas has other things to do. Thomas keeps Benny more active which has been good for his weight loss journey. I think they would suit a large family well as they are so diverse. Someone that has kids to play with Thomas and an older, calm and gentle person for Benny to cuddle. Thomas would do great with dogs too but needs time to recognize they're not a threat."
Here's what their former foster home has to say about them: "Benny is very comfortable and relaxed; loves to sit on the armchair and stare out the window, and he loves the cuddles and is very affectionate. I've noticed he likes to play with dangling objects that move, like shoe laces. He does not care much for the toys that don't move on their own. He loves cuddling and will use any excuse to lie on your lap or nearby and just loves to spend the night curled up in bed. He is the perfect, purring lap cat. He also loves watching the world go by from the window in his favourite chair. He has been very welcoming to all guests, but can be nervous of tall men. Thomas does not seem to have any anxiety about new surrounds and is very active and loves space to run around in. Thomas is still very much a kitten at heart with all the zoomies in him. He loves running round, jumping up and getting into and on top of things. He loves company and I wish I could give him more to do! He would be perfect for someone with young kids. His cheeky demeanor and charismatic personality is a favourite of everyone who's visited. While he does love the occasional cuddle, he'd much prefer a belly rub or a companion to play with the toys together with. His favourite spot is on top of the cat scratcher where he can watch the house and out the window. Thomas has really learnt boundaries and no longer jumps on to the counter when preparing his breakfast or dinner. Both cats chase each other and play fight at least twice a day too, then cuddle up for a snooze together. They are so great!"
Send an email to adopt@bowvalleyspca.org if you are interested in arranging a meet and greet with any of our incredible foster cats. While foster home life is great, FOREVER home life would be even better!