My Foster Cat Was Adopted Today

This morning, a young couple came to meet my foster cat, Kirby.


In a couple weeks, it will have been a year since a scraggly, scrawny black cat wandered his way into my backyard. He looked rough. He was skinny, and he had an eye infection in both eyes so bad that his eyes were almost sealed shut. At first, I thought he might be a feral cat. But, when I went outside, he ran right up to me, flopped over, and asked for a belly rub. He purred and rolled around on his back, begging for some love. I wondered how long it had been since he'd been touched by a friendly hand. This little guy had no collar and no tags, of course, and he was in pretty rough shape. I wondered if he had gotten lost, or if someone simply dumped him off in our neighborhood. It was clear that he'd been on his own for a while, but he was so friendly, obviously he had a home at some point in time. As much as I wanted to feed him, since he was so skinny, I resisted the temptation, and let him go on his way. We asked everyone in the neighborhood if they were missing a black cat, and of course, no one was. For a couple days, he'd show up in the backyard to stop by and say hi and get some love and attention.

Knowing what typically happens to sickly black cats at animal control, I contacted Second Chance Animal Rescue to see what I should do with him. And so began my journey as an animal foster. We'd considered fostering in the past, but always decided the timing wasn't just right. Well, when Kirby showed up in our backyard, he made the decision for us. Second Chance Animal Rescue agreed to allow us to foster Kirby under their organization.

It took a while for Kirby to learn house manners, since he was on his own for so long, and he was a little wild at times, but over the months, his awesome, unique personality developed more and more. His eye infection cleared right up, he underwent hernia repair surgery, a healthy diet gave him a gorgeous shiny black coat, and he put on five or six pounds. He learned what toys are and learned to play with gusto. He is such a cool cat with cute habits and tricks and he adores attention.

We took him to monthly adoption days, but unfortunately, he didn't do well. The car ride to PetCo freaked him out, sitting in a cage freaked him out, all the strange noises and commotion freaked him out. He acted like a feral cat in his adoption cage. His adorable personality just didn't come out when he was at adoption days, and potential adopters over looked him every time.

I was starting to think that poor Kirby was never going to get adopted. We knew that if an adopter met him in our home, where he acted like himself, he'd get adopted in a heartbeat. But after almost a year, I was starting to think that nobody would ever want him, and I'd end up adopting him myself.

When I first decided to foster Kirby, I was determined not to become a "foster failure." I guess most fosters "fail" and end up adopting a foster at some point in time, but I didn't want to "fail" on my first foster pet. If I ended up adopting Kirby myself, I couldn't be a foster for any other cats. In animal rescue, foster homes are worth a million bucks. They provide a safe haven for an animal in desperate need, and often it's a life or death situation. Rescues can only save as many animals as they have available space for. As much as I love Kirby, my job is to provide him a wonderful temporary home until he finds a permanent home.

I got the call last night that someone was interested in meeting Kirby, and had passed the screening process with flying colors. The young lady and her boyfriend were going to drive over an hour to meet him this morning and fill out an adoption application. After I got off the phone with her, it really hit me: Kirby's getting adopted.

I'm not even sure how to describe the feelings I have right now. On the one hand, the thought that Kirby's not going to be with us anymore absolutely breaks my heart. I love him as much as I love my own cats. On the other hand, I'm so excited and thrilled that he's finally getting adopted! I knew that giving him up was going to be difficult because I love him, and he's been with me for almost a year. But, I am so happy that he's getting adopted!

When his potential adopters drove up to our house this morning, Kirby ran right up to greet them at the door. He immediately started tossing a toy around and acting like a goofball. Then he ran over to the couple and asked them to pet him. The couple watched him and interacted with him for about two minutes before saying, "We're sure!" We went through all the paperwork, and this couple is wonderful! They had already gone through the screening process and passed with flying colors. It's going to be an awesome home for Kirby! I was kind of surprised that I wasn't sad at all during this process. I was just excited and happy that Kirby was getting adopted!

Since Kirby's been with us for almost a year now, he's due for his updated shots, so he's going to be at our house for another day or two so I can bring him in to get his vaccines updated so the new adopter doesn't have to worry about that. I have a couple more days with him, then he's moving on to his new life. That's the part that makes me sad: not having Kirby in my home anymore. I'm taking pictures, and spending time with him. Kirby acts like I'm crazy, fawning over him, taking pictures, and getting all emotional. It's like he's telling me, "Mom, it's cool. Don't be sad. You took great care of me, and now I'm finally getting my own home." Kirby will move on, and will have a great new life, and I will always have wonderful memories of him. Kirby's adoption is bittersweet, but in all honesty, it's more sweet than bitter. I've done my job as a foster, and because of me, Kirby will have a wonderful life.

So, will I do this again? You bet! There are always cats in animal control running out of time. Because I foster, and because a wonderful young family decided to adopt Kirby, I can help save another life.

This poem kind of helps explain why we fosters do this:

Dear Foster Mom

There I sat, alone and afraid.
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

- Author Unknown

A couple weeks ago, the adoption coordinator for Second Chance Animal Rescue sent out an email asking for help in finding people interested in fostering cats, particularly kittens and pregnant cats. If you are involved in cat rescue, you know that spring means kitten season, when hundreds of litters of unwanted kittens are born, and there's not enough homes for them all. Every humane society, animal control shelter, and rescue organization gets inundated with requests to take surrendered or found litters of kittens in the spring and summer. There is simply not enough room for them all. It's a sad fact that in the Twin Cities metro area, hundreds of cute, adorable, healthy, perfectly adoptable kittens will be euthanized in the coming months because there's not enough homes for them all, and not enough shelter and foster space to save them all.

If you have a spare room and some spare love, you can help save the life of a cat or kittens. While it took almost a year for Kirby to get adopted, it doesn't typically take that long for fosters to get adopted, especially kittens. Fostering is such an awesomely rewarding experience! If you are interested in fostering, please contact Second Chance Animal Rescue at 651-771-5662 for more information.

Letting Go of a Foster Pet

When I first considered fostering a pet, one thing I wondered was whether I'd be able to let my foster go when a good adopter came along. I still struggle with that question. I've had my foster kitty, Kirby, for about 5 months now. Every day, it gets a little bit harder to think about giving him up. But, if I would keep Kirby, that takes away a save place for another cat in desperate need of rescue. That's why I know when the time comes, as difficult as it will be, I will give Kirby to his new adoptive family.

When I talk to people who are considering fostering, one of the comments they make time and time again is that they don't think they'd be able to give the pet up. I think one of the best ways to think about it is that by adopting your foster, that's one less safe place for an animal in need of rescue.

On the other hand, all fosters are bound to "fail" at some time and adopt their foster pets. Some pets are just meant to be with you.

I ran across this fantastic article about letting go of a foster pet on PetLuvr.com. If you are a foster or if you are considering fostering, I strongly recommend reading this article. Here's an excerpt:

As we discussed in my last post, “So You Want to be a Foster Home,” the hardest part of fostering is letting go. For every foster pet, there comes a time when she has gained all she can from foster care, and needs to find a permanent, adoptive home. It’s bittersweet, knowing that you’ve done a great thing by giving an animal a second chance, but having to allow a pet you’ve come to love to move on. It’s important to allow yourself time to grieve, and to celebrate your foster pet’s new home.

Read more here.

Great Cats From Second Chance Animal Rescue, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

I'm a foster mom for Second Chance Animal Rescue, based out of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, just outside the Twin Cities. My sweet foster kitty, Kirby, is currently available for adoption, as are some other wonderful cats.

Lately, very few cats have been adopted from Second Chance Rescue. Perhaps it's the bad economy...

In any event, here's a few of the wonderful cats available for adoption from Second Chance Animal Rescue. If you live in or near the Twin Cities, please consider adopting a Second Chance kitty!


GORDY is approx. 4 years old and a cute black & white boy with a beard and moustache. He's a real sweetie, very friendly and likes to be where the activity is. He loves to hang out in his cradle perch and watch television with you. He likes to play with his interactive toys or he's fine just watching the activity out the windows. Gordy is a silly guy yet mellow. He gets along very well with the foster's cats and needs to be adopted into a home with another cat companion. Gordy has his own cute personality; after you finish your shower, he will help get the water drops out of the tub! Gordy would be best in a home without kids or dogs. He is neutered, FeLV & FIV negative, and distemper and rabies vaccinated. His adoption fee is $95. If you're looking for a real pal, call us at 651-771-5662.






DUNCAN is approx. 1-2 years old and a strikingly handsome black and gray cat with white feet and chest. He is shy at first and needs a kind voice so he feels brave . . . and then he warms up and becomes your best friend. Duncan is an active and affectionate boy, and he likes to head but and rub against his foster mom. He loves running through the house and playing with balls and toy mice and climbing the cat scratching tree. He likes being up hightand watching the bird activity out the window. Duncan loves attention and playing with interactive toys with his foster mom. He also entertains himself by playing ball - he carries a small rubber ball around, drops it and then chases it - very smart guy. Duncan also throws his fleece toy in the air and chases that. He’s a big sweet (and often clumsy) boy who likes to talk to you and rub up against you when he's happy. He should be adopted into an adult home without other animals.
Duncan is neutered, FeLV & FIV negative and distemper vaccinated. His adoption fee is $100. Call 651-771-5662 if you have a quiet, loving home and are looking for a great friend.


HI – my name is CISCO and I'm approx. 2 - 2 1/2 years old and a cute black/brown tiger. Both of my ears were frostbitten off so I look like one of those funny breeds called a Scottish Fold. I am a very happy, social, and affectionate cat. I LOVE sitting on your lap while you read, watch TV, or work on the computer, and I purr happily to let you know. I'm a good cuddler at night and want to be part of the family. I also love to play with those toys with feathers on them, furry mice and sparkle balls. I really like my scratching tree and enjoy hanging out on the top level so I can keep an eye on the house and watch out the windows. Sometimes I like to talk to you. I would like a home without other animals so I can have all the attention; I might be okay with another playful cat if slowly introduced. And a home without young kids is preferred too. I am neutered, FeLV & FIV negative and distemper vaccinated. You can adopt me for just $95. Please call Second Chance at 651-771-5662 to see adorable me.


FRAZER is approx. 5 years old and a WONDERFUL orange/white boy with pretty green eyes. He is such an affectionate, friendly, social, loveable guy – he LOVES to be carried around and will hang over your shoulder (and gives little kitty kisses). Frazer is a good cuddler, likes to sit on your lap, be petted, sleep with you and just be part of your world. He will follow you around and tell you all about his day - and he comes when he is called; he's a good conversationalist. Frazer enjoys catnip toys, furry mice toys, his scratching post and watching the activity out the windows. When he wants to be held, he will reach out for you with his front paws or will try to jump to your arms. Frazer enjoys laying in the sun and taking long naps. He would prefer a home without other animals or young kids running around. Frazer is neutered, FeLV & FIV negative and distemper vaccinated. His adoption fee is $100. Call 651-771-5662 to see this friendly lover boy.


SYLVESTER is approx. 2 years old and a handsome black/white tuxedo with beautiful green eyes and long whiskers. He is a friendly, social boy who comes running when you call him, and he will jump up on your lap purring happily. Sylvester likes to snuggle and sleep with you and is a good companion while you're watching TV. He likes to follow you from room to room and, when you come home, he will greet you with a cute meow. He also likes to greet company when they come to the house. Sylvester likes his catnip toys, watching the activity out the windows and being petted. He is fine with the foster's cats and likes to be part of the whole family. A home without dogs would be preferred and older kids would be fine. He will need routine brushing to keep his coat nice. Sylvester is neutered, declawed, FeLV & FIV negative and distemper vaccinated. His adoption fee is $110. Call 651-771-5662 to adopt handsome, wonderful Sylvester.

Call 651-771-5662 to apply to adopt one of these beautiful cats, or any of the other pets available through Second Chance Animal Rescue. Or, you can visit some of the cats and dogs at Petco in Roseville, Minnesota, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. located at 2575 North Fairview Avenue (North of Highway 36 off Fairview Avenue) on November 8, December 13, January 17, or February 14.

Second Chance Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal rescue organization dedicated to rescuing, caring for and providing homeless dogs and cats with a second chance at life and companionship. We don't have a shelter but instead house animals in volunteer foster homes until permanent, loving adoptive homes are found. We rescue dogs and cats from animal control facilities and from a wide range of other situations before they are put to sleep or, in some cases, sold for research. Each animal is vet checked, heartworm or feline leukemia checked, wormed and spayed or neutered. The adoption fee includes a free ID tag and free vet exam.

Second Chance Animal Rescue
P.O. Box 10533
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Phone: 651-771-5662
Website: secondchancerescue.org

I'm Baaack!

WOW! It has been FOREVER since I posted! The end of May through the end of July were pretty crazy for me. I finished up with my last found of finals for law school, and then graduated mid-May! Yay! Done...FINALLY! Then, I worked part time and took a Bar-prep course for the next two months. Some serious full-time studying for two months. At the end of July, I took the Minnesota Bar Exam. I'll find out whether or not I passed at the beginning of October. Now that I'm done with the exam itself, I think the worst part is waiting to find out the results....keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Anyway, the last time I posted, I talked about my new foster kitty, Kirby. His personality has really started to shine! He is an absolute goof-ball, and he seems to have endless amounts of energy. His favorite past-times include harassing my older (fatter) cat, who is about triple Kirby's size, watching Chippies (chipmunks) out the window, killing toys, racing through the house going 900 miles an hour, and playing with water. About a week after Kirby came to our house, we discovered that the poor guy had a hernia. Well, several months later, it got larger, so we took him in for hernia repair surgery. He's almost all healed up now. He slowed down for a couple days immediately following the surgery, but it didn't take him long to get back up to full speed :)

Here's his picture :)



Click on Kirby's photo to see his Petfinder profile.

If you live in the Twin Cities Metro area, Kirby can be adopted through Second Chance Animal Rescue. Second Chance will be having its next adoption day on Saturday, September 6 at Petco in Roseville. Kirby will be there up for adoption :) Visit Second Chance Animal Rescue's website to see the schedule of adoption events.