Pet Update - May 2010:

In addition to fostering cats for the Community Pet Center, I have several new permanent additions to my feline family. Tigger was my first “foster failure.” He was one of four littermates that were my first fosters, and while I was able to successfully get three of them adopted into good homes, Tigger won me over — and stayed. He’s grown into a very large cat with an extra-long, beautifully full tail, and still thinks he’s a kitten (which is why I have a picture of him on top of one of my curtain rods even though he’s long past the traditional kitten habit of climbing curtains!)

Kitsy-Kat, roughly fourteen, also came to me as a foster; her person, an elderly lady, had to go into a nursing home, and no one else in the family could take Kitsy. Given her age — and some dental issues we’ve since resolved — it seemed unlikely we’d be able to find her a permanent home elsewhere, so Kitsy stayed with me. She’s a very sweet cat, and I’m happy to have her.

Finally, the most recent two additions are Lexie and George, littermates now about a year old. They were living at my vet’s clinic while waiting for a forever home, and though I was strong and resisted temptation the first time I saw them, the second time they won me over. (If you’ve lost count, that brings the permanent feline population in my home up to sixteen. So far.)

Wait, there's one more! The very latest addition is Bo, a young tuxedo kitty I originally fostered when he was much younger; he was adopted with his sister into a home that proved too small for his energy. Here he has lots of room to run, and has turned into a very affectionate and fun cat.

Some of you may remember Sylvester, my “Hemingway” polydactyl tuxedo cat. Unfortunately, Sylvester turned out to be the “one cat too many” for my other males, and hard as I tried I couldn’t resolve the personality conflicts. I am, however, happy to report that I was able to re-home Sylvester to a great place where he has companion dogs and a couple who love him and who have a granddaughter who adores him (He sleeps on her bed.). He’s happier and much less stressed there, and my resident cats have returned to their sweet, unstressed selves.

Which makes the point that sometimes a cat or dog simply isn’t a good fit for a particular household. But there are always other options, and it’s up to us as responsible pet owners to make sure we find a true forever home for the pets in our care if they can’t, for whatever reason, live with us.

The Kay Hooper Foundation

Kay's love of animals has led to her decision to form a charitable foundation which will work to promote the humane treatment of and safe haven for animals, as well as promoting literacy and education. Kay is currently deeply involved in the drive to build and operate a state-of-the-art Community Pet Center in her area, where homeless animals will have a safe temporary home and loving care until new permanent homes can be found for them. If you're interested in learning more about the pet center, its background, goals, and events — as well as Kay's involvement in it — please go to www.rutherfordpets.com for more information.

Are you an animal lover looking for more information? Click here for links to websites of interest to animal lovers, from rescue organizations (both breed-specific and general) to national, state, or regional groups dedicated to animal rescue, adoption, and responsible breeding. (You'll also see pics of Kay's rescued beauties.)

Bella.

Ginger.

Maggie.

Daisy in the snowy pet yard.

Bo.

Daisy and Bo in the snowy pet yard.

Daisy.

Tigger.

Sophie.

Supper!

Lizzie, wearing the Cone of Shame (She had a cyst removed from her eyelid.)

Tigger and Lexie, enjoying the catnip planter in the pet yard.

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