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Don't tell Bailey Maitland that disabled pets are unwanted. The recent college graduate recently drove nine hours from her home near Toronto to Ringoes, NJ, to adopt D'Artagnan, a handsome gray cat who loves to climb and play. He also happens to be paraplegic.

D'Art was paralyzed when he was hit by a car as a kitten. He had been living at Tabby's Place, a shelter that specializes in rescuing cats from hopeless situations. Catster first met the tenacious cat and his best friend, Dot, a paraplegic brown tabby with spina bifida, last September.

Angela Townsend, development director at Tabby's Place, assumed D'Art would be a permanent resident at the shelter.

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D'Artagnan, chilling and looking handsome.

“It takes a very special person to adopt a cat who is incontinent and needs round-the-clock care, but the world is full of special people,” Townsend says. “And just when we think a cat is going to be a lifer, along comes that person -- it’s like they’ve been waiting all their life for this cat.”

Turns out Maitland was that special person. She heard about D'Art on Catster while searching for resources to care for her other cat, Princess, who is also paraplegic.

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D'Artagnan with Bailey, his new adoptive mama.

Yes, that's right -- Maitland has two paraplegic cats. About a year ago, she found Princess in a parking lot when the cat was only 8 weeks old. Maitland took the kitten to the vet and found out she weighed less than a pound and would never walk. Maitland was still a college student, but she made the commitment to care for Princess.

“I instantly decided to keep her no matter what anybody said,” Maitland says. “The vet was telling me to put her down. I was looking for resources, and somebody said I should check out Tabby’s Place, because they cater to disabled cats and might be able to help me. I came across D’Artagnan, and from that point forward I kept my eye on him and fell in love with him.”

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D'Artagnan snuggles with Princess, his new sibling, who is also paraplegic.

Maitland's parents said she shouldn’t adopt D'Art because she was still in school and already had one disabled cat. But she was determined to get him as soon as she moved out. And she was true to her word: As soon as she was done with school, she drove nine hours to Tabby’s Place and picked up D’Art.

And what about Dot, D'Art's friend at Tabby's Place? Well, Maitland wanted her, too.

“I wanted all my kittens to meet so they could have ‘drag’ races, since they’re all paraplegic,” she jokes.

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Jackson Galaxy selected Tabby's Place as shelter of the month -- and put D'Artagnan on a t-shirt.

Dot, however, requires more intensive care due to her spina bifida. Maitland has limited resources, so she believed Dot would receive better care if she remained at Tabby’s Place.

Though Dot was staying behind, the staff at Tabby’s Place was thrilled to see D’Art find his forever home. They gave Maitland a warm welcome -- and sent her home with a gift basket that “they said would last him a lifetime, but it’s really enough to last all nine of his lives,” she says.

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Dot was D'Artagnan's former roommate at Tabby's Place.

“It was very surreal at first,” she adds. “I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. Everyone was so welcoming -- they said they had been looking out the front door all day to see if the cars had an Ontario license plate.”

Now that she’s got D’Art at home, he and Princess are adjusting to one another and finally starting to play together instead of merely tolerating one another. Follow Princess' and D'Art's journey on Facebook here. Maitland is also getting used to people’s reactions to the news that she has not one, but two paraplegic cats. Some people look at her like she’s crazy. Others are more supportive.

“I was at the airport, and some guy was looking at the cat, and he said, 'Hats off to you -- there aren’t a lot of people like you in the world who would do this,'” she says.

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Bailey with her two cats.

Maitland’s boyfriend is also adjusting to living with the cats in the new apartment he shares with Maitland.

“When Tabby’s Place did a reference check with him, he told them that I love the cats more than I love him,” Maitland says. “I don’t think he loves them quite as much as I do, but he has definitely taken a liking to them.”

Despite what anyone says, Maitland insists that caring for D’Art and Princess is not much more work than any other cat. She has to express their bladders three times a day, but she likens it to changing a litter box for a picky able-bodied cat. She also gives D’Art and Princess daily massages and physiotherapy, which she says is no different than the time average cat owners spend playing with their pets.

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And what she gets in return, she says, is perfect pets -- “they can’t climb on the counters and get into your food and eat your flowers,” she jokes.

“I don’t know if there’s anything more than unconditional love, but that’s what I feel from them,” she adds. “They need you to do everything for them, so there’s definitely a sense of pride I have taking care of them and telling people about them.”

Read about more special-needs kitties on Catster:

• Pretzel the Kitten is Blind, Deformed and Inspiring People on Facebook
• Deformed Legs Can't Hold Back Little Bear the Rescue Kitten
• Deformed Front Legs Can't Stop Triumph the Kitty
• Meet D'Artagnan, a Paraplegic Kitty Living Life to the Fullest

Do you know of a rescue hero — cat, human, or group — we should profile on Catster? Write us at catsterheroes@catster.com.

No, that’s really not melodrama or hyperbole -- it’s the plain, honest-to-goodness truth.

Let me begin at the beginning and maybe you’ll see what I mean.

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Dahlia and me, 2006.

I never found Sinéad or her remains.

Along with my two remaining cats, Thomas and Siouxsie, I gradually picked up the pieces. We all got used to the Sinéad-shaped hole in our hearts. I had no plans to adopt any more cats. And if I ever did, I was going to adopt an adult or a special-needs cat.

That’s what we always say, isn’t it? But I meant it. Really!

Sept. 18, 2006, was an ordinary Monday. I was preparing some handouts for a workshop produced by the nonprofit where I worked, and, as usual, I went to the print shop around the corner to have copies made.

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Dahlia was so small that even the tiniest collar was almost too big for her.

As soon as I walked in the door, I saw it.

As I filled out my order and talked with the copy shop owner, I couldn’t keep my eyes off it.

Finally, as I handed over the order form, I stared openly at the cage with three tiny black kittens inside, and I had to ask: “What’s the story with those kittens?”

The owner explained that the shop was a satellite adoption location for one of the local humane societies, and these kittens were looking for new homes.

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Dahlia enjoyed the days she got to hang out at the office with me.

I like to think I’m a kind and compassionate person, and when I saw those poor little kittens in a cage, waiting for someone to take them home, I figured they at least deserved some love and kindness until their adopters arrived.

“Can I come around behind the counter and play with them?” I asked.

“Sure,” the owner said, and before I fully knew what was happening I was opening one of the tiny doors and picking up a kitten. I held it close to me and gave it some gentle strokes, but it didn’t seem to be all that interested in my ministrations.

I put that one back and picked up another. This one purred when I stroked it, but it got tired of my attention pretty quickly, too.

Thank God, I thought. I’m staying strong.

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Thomas fell in love with Dahlia the minute she stepped out of her carrier.

Finally I picked up the third kitten. The red band around its neck said the kitten was a boy named Blackie, and he was 12 weeks old.

No sooner had I gotten Blackie into my arms than he climbed my jacket, threw his front legs around my neck, and started purring for all he was worth.

My willpower was weakening.

When Blackie climbed high enough to start rubbing his head furiously against my chin, it was all over.

“I’m a sucker,” I lamented.

That night I went home and asked Siouxsie and Thomas how they felt about welcoming a new kitten friend.

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Okay, how could you possibly not fall in love with this kind of cuteness?

The next morning I filled out an adoption application.

A few hours later, I was approved. I borrowed one of the humane society’s cat carriers to bring Blackie home. Thomas fell in love immediately. Siouxsie grumbled.

That weekend I was writing the weekly Paws and Effect column when Blackie stuck his bottom in my face. “Hey,” I said. “That’s an innie, not an outie!” (Blackie was not a boy after all.) And I changed Blackie’s full name from Black Jack Davy to Dahlia P. Kittenface.

She was a star, a drama queen, right from the start. In fact, I even helped her write her own memoir.

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Thomas and Dahlia were best of friends.

Dahlia shared almost six wonderful years with Thomas, Siouxsie, and me. But shortly after I moved to my new home last year, Dahlia became very ill. The diagnosis was grim -- atypical large-cell lymphoma -- and the prognosis was very poor. On April 12, 2012, a kind vet released Dahlia from her suffering.

I’ll never forget Dahlia, the cat who taught me the truth about cat adoption: It’s the cat doing the adopting, not the person!

How about you? Has a cat adopted you? Please share your story in the comments!

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This is the way I'll remember Dahlia: napping in a sun puddle in our new home.

About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

More on cat adoption:

• No Cat Left Behind: It's Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week
• 7 Tips on Cat Adoption
• Cats for Adoption
• When You Adopt a Kitten, You Make a Promise -- Keep It

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Samuel poses for a photo at the Florida shelter from which he was rescued. Image from the Your Daily Cute Facebook page

Maybe it was his huge head, thick and round with the fat pads of a virile tomcat. Maybe it was his lean, hard body, shaped by years of life on the streets. Or maybe it was the tiny little white locket and the white spot on his tummy, which reminded me of a kitty-size Speedo.

He reminded me of my first cat, Castor, another big black tomcat with a white button on his stomach.

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One of Your Daily Cute's fans Photoshopped a beret (worn by the actual Samuel L. Jackson) onto Mr. Catson's head. Image from the Your Daily Cute Facebook page

I first heard about Samuel from my fellow Catster columnist Dorian Wagner. Last year, she became heavily involved in organizing transports of cats from the overcrowded high-kill shelters in her south Florida home to safety and rescue in the north.

Samuel was one of those cats in Florida, and he had tested positive for FIV -- not surprising for an unneutered cat who had spent so many years on the streets, and nothing that can't be managed in a caring home, but a certain death sentence for a kitty in a high-kill shelter.

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Samuel gets a hug just before he leaves for the first stage of his ride up north. Image from the Your Daily Cute Facebook page

Last month, Dorian arranged to get Samuel and 15 other cats transported from Florida to Maine, where I live, in an epic journey that she dubbed (and hashtagged) the #16catroadtrip.

And best of all, Samuel was coming to HART of Maine, the shelter where I volunteer, so I’d get to meet the big guy in person! HART is a no-kill shelter that actually has a whole room in its cage-free facility dedicated to housing FIV-positive cats.

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It's true: Samuel did have me at "meow."

As soon as I heard that Samuel had landed at HART, my heart raced: I was finally going to meet him. I felt like a screaming fangirl at a rock concert.

On Saturday, April 20, the fateful day came. I drove the 20 minutes to HART’s shelter in Cumberland and prepared to clean my two favorite rooms, Isolation (where our diabetic cats live) and Intake (just what it sounds like), where Samuel was staying at the time.

Was he as wonderful and sweet as everyone said he was? I didn’t have much of a chance to find out while I was cleaning, but I did spend a few minutes with him after I’d completed my duties.

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He reminds me so much of my first cat, Castor. I got a little teary-eyed as I stroked his head and gave him a kiss.

Yes, he totally is that sweet. He's so calm. So gentle. His soft, yellow-green eyes gaze enticingly at anyone who approaches him.

He’s the spittin’ image of my beloved Castor-cat. I got a little teary-eyed as I stroked him and he pushed his giant cheek into the palm of my hand and purred.

Last week, Samuel was moved into the FIV room, and I visited him after a hectic morning of cleaning and helping to make room in Intake for a bunch of cats who were being rescued from a bad situation.

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Samuel chills out in the FIV room at HART of Maine.

Sam was his usual chill self, stretched out on a shelf that was barely long enough to contain his massive body, watching the world go by. He’s getting used to his roommates now, and I know it won’t be long before he makes friends with the other cats and he’s able to stretch out full-length and show off his huge, handsome self.

Samuel’s not going to die just because he has FIV. He has a home. I know someone’s bound to fall in love with him bring him into their family. But even if nobody ever adopts Samuel, the folks at HART will provide him with love and care for the rest of his days.

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Thanks to Good Karma Pet Rescue, Dorian Wagner, and a platoon of Cuteheads who drove Samuel L. Catson 1,600 miles up the East Coast, he'll live happily ever after.

Would you help to transport a cat to safety? Have you ever transported a cat yourself or adopted a cat who came from a high-kill shelter? Please share your stories in the comments!

About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer, and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing the cat advice column, Paws and Effect, since 2003. JaneA dreams of making a great living out of her love for cats.

And there you see that one. The One. For some reason, he tugs at your heartstrings and you can’t get him out of your head. You immediately know you want him to be part of your family, and you have to help him –- but he’s in a kill shelter halfway across the country and only has a couple days left.

What do you do? Here's our guide to transporting cats across the country.

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You never know when you'll see The One. (Blackjack here is already adopted, by the way.)

1. Contact the shelter and local rescues

The first step is to call and email the shelter where the cat is located. Tell them right away that you’re interested in the kitty, because this may buy him some time. Ask them if they work with any local rescues who may be able to help you pull him from the shelter and work out temporary foster placement while you arrange transport.

Also, look up some rescues on your own. When you find a good prospect, let them know that you want to adopt the kitty, but are out of the area and need help. They will hopefully be willing to work with you to get the cat out safe.

2. Prepare the kitty for travel

Now, two things need to happen: You need to find drivers to help get your new kitty home, and your future kitty needs to see a vet and get some of the necessary vetting in order to be able to travel. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as plopping them in a car and riding off into the sunset.

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Hey, can we get this show on the road already?

If a rescue pulls the cat, you are technically adopting from that rescue, so they may ask you to fill out an adoption form. Then, once the cat is out safe, he’ll need to see a vet. You’ll want him to have some basic tests and rabies shots, and to be neutered (many rescues require this for adoption, period). There are usually low-cost options for all of this. The rescue will have to help get your kitty ready for you.

Also, in order to travel, pets need health certificates. This is a document provided by a vet certifying that your cat is healthy and safe to travel. It requires an exam and can cost $25 to $100, depending on the vet. 

3. Find drivers

To find drivers to get your cat home, go to Google Maps or a similar site and enter the beginning and end cities for your cat’s travel. This will tell you how far he needs to go and the best route. Post on all your social sites, share with your friends, and contact people you know in cities along the way. People are usually willing to help drive a few hours, especially if it’s to save an animal’s life!

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Who wouldn't want to drive a cute kitty?

If you can’t find drivers on your own, there are a couple other options. First would be to fly your pet home. Never fly a pet in cargo; there are too many horror stories. Either fly out to pick up your new cat and fly home with him as your carry-on, or see if someone from that area would be willing to do it. You’ll need to pay for the plane ticket as well as the pet fee, which is usually $100 to $125. Your cat will need an airline-approved soft side carrier and a health certificate.

Other options are to look into transport groups on Facebook or online. Imagine Home and Underground Railroad Rescue Kitty Network are two. I also do transport through an amazing network I’ve built up through my blog, Your Daily Cute (but not as often as the other groups). You can volunteer to be a driver here!

These groups require information from you about the cat and proof of vetting and spay/neuter, as well as health certificates. They will work with their list of volunteer drivers and network to find any holes that aren’t covered. This process typically takes three to four weeks, depending on how quickly drivers can be found.

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Hard carrier, puppy pad... Pookie safely loaded up for her transport home!

4. Prepare for the road

Then, once you find your drivers (either on your own or through a group), the big day will finally arrive. Your new kitty will need several things to make his trip comfortable and safe:

• A hard-sided carrier (soft carriers are too easily banged around and won’t hold “potty accidents” if they happen).
• Puppy pads to line the bottom of the carrier, and extras for along the way in case of accidents.
• An old sheet or towel to cover the carrier in case kitty gets stressed. This helps calm the cat.
• A calming spray product such as Spirit Essences or Feliway to spritz in the carrier or car.
• Food and water if it’s a longer trip, although chances are kitty won’t want any of it on the road. Do not leave these in the carrier, but maybe provide them at a rest stop to see if he wants some.
• Health certificate and any other vet records.

The most important thing to remember is to NEVER open the carrier with the car doors or windows open. Never! Do not underestimate a kitty's speed. A cat can charge out of a carrier in a second and be lost forever. Better safe than sorry -– always open the carrier (to change puppy pads or give water) with the car completely shut.

It seems like a lot of work, but it’s so worth it to save a life! Transport saves lives. You’d be surprised how many animals are criss-crossing the country every day, especially on weekends. It’s something we should all be doing more to help with.

Have you ever transported a kitty or worked with others who did? Tell us about it in the comments!

But over the last 20 years or so, PETA has descended to such depths of insanity and, yes, animal cruelty, that it has lost any animal rights cred it might once have had.

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Models with the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show their support (and their lingerie) in support of PETA's "Naked" campaign Photo by s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

I noticed the first car on the PETA crazy train sometime in the mid-1990s, when it came to my home in midcoast Maine. Some of its “lobster liberation” activists protested the “cruel” annual Maine Lobster Festival, and even went so far as to “liberate” some of them back into Rockland Harbor.

Since then, PETA has engaged in a nonstop series of increasingly ridiculous publicity stunts that are not only a waste of its donors’ money, the pranks reduce whatever credibility the organization might once have had.

Take, for example, PETA’s “Naked” campaign, in which naked celebrities are featured in ads with text reading “I’d rather go naked than wear fur.”

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Image released into the public domain by PETA

You go, PETA: Exploiting women is an awesome way to get publicity. And its explanation: “Unlike our opposition, which is mostly composed of wealthy industries and corporations, PETA must rely on getting free 'advertising' through media coverage.”

Oh, boo hoo. Poor PETA has no advertising budget at all. If it did, it would post huge billboards and buy full-page color ads ... oh, wait.

The thing that really hisses me off about PETA is that almost all of the animals it “rescues” from cruelty situations end up being killed, whether they’re healthy or not. I'm going to spare you the gruesome photos depicting the fate of those cats and dogs. If you want to see them, do an Internet search.

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Please, PETA: Do tell me more about all those kitties and doggies you "rescue." Angry cat by Shutterstock

PETA’s own report to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services about the animals in its Norfolk “shelter” makes it clear that it doesn't give a crap about saving animals: Of 1,877 animals that came to PETA’s shelter, 1,675 of them were killed, and 1,045 of those were cats. Only 23 were adopted -- that’s a 1 percent adoption rate! Even the highest kill of the high-kill shelters in the poorest cities do better than that!

In 2008, the Center for Consumer Freedom, an advocacy and lobbying group which has had other run-ins with PETA, petitioned the Department of Agriculture to reclassify PETA’s shelter as a slaughterhouse.

Please, PETA, don’t strain yourselves “rescuing” all those animals! It must be hard to budget for sheltering when you’re spending so much money on porn sites, fat-shaming billboards, and full-page magazine ads featuring naked celebrities.

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Oh, fat shaming too? Stay classy, PETA!

Naturally, PETA is opposed to the no-kill movement. PETA says that by killing adoptable animals, they’re “doing society’s dirty work.” Who would expect anything else?

Oh, and PETA informs us that “It’s likely that your cat or dog will thrive on a vegetarian diet.”

WHAT?!?! PETA President Ingrid Newkirk and her cabal of crazy must have missed Biology 101: Cats are obligate carnivores. That means they must eat meat to survive and be healthy.

Sure, PETA does “undercover investigations” to root out animal cruelty, but I can never fully trust what I see because I know how ridiculously biased the organization is. When you’re looking for information that supports your beliefs, you’re certainly not going to see anything that runs contrary to those beliefs -- and if you do, you look elsewhere.

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If PETA wants to be a credible animal advocacy group, it needs to stop being hypocrites, stop conducting sensationalist publicity stunts and crazy-train "liberation" campaigns, and start studying the facts about no-kill, TNR, and other real animal-welfare movements that it so despises.

In short: Go home, PETA, you’re drunk.

What's your opinion on PETA? Let us know in the comments!

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A quarantine section for cats in an animal shelter, (CC-BY-SA) by Wikimedia user Ciell

The groups met last summer with hopes of dispelling the “us vs. them” mentality. Since then, things have been going well; they even formed a task force to explore ways to decrease the number of adoptable animals killed.

When I hear terms like “task force” and “explore ways to …,” my BS detector goes almost off the scale. You see, in my life outside of Catster, I've been exposed to far too many task forces that are ultimately, to quote the Bard, “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

It seems that my belief has been reinforced once again, because the Bay County task force’s “explorations” have resulted in the formation of a subcommittee (oh, for cryin’ out loud!) to form the definition of savable cats and dogs.

And just to make the subcommittee’s efforts even more pointless, they’re bringing in more people … er, I mean “stakeholders” … because the county commissioners, with their far-reaching knowledge of animal care and husbandry (ahem), totally need to be involved in defining what makes a cat or dog adoptable.

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Cats can behave very differently in shelters than they would in a home. Hissing cat by Shutterstock

But the jargon and bureaucracy don’t bother me nearly as much as the fact that the committee is going to try to codify what makes an animal healthy, treatable, manageable, and/or capable enough of rehabilitation to keep it alive.

Anyone who’s ever worked with animals -- cats in particular -- knows that you can’t define how adoptable they are simply by observing how they react when shoved into a cage in a crowded shelter. If my cat, Kissy, or any one of the cats that flower essence and TTouch practitioner Sara Goldenthal has worked with, had wound up in a high-kill shelter, they would have been instantly given the “unadoptable” death sentence because of their aggression, fear, or other inappropriate behavior.

But all my Kissy and Sara’s shelter cats really needed was a person who could take the time and give them one-on-one attention to recover from trauma and overcome their fear of human contact.

No list of guidelines is going to be able to take the place of a knowledgeable animal caretaker’s judgment call.

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Almost any cat has the potential to be adoptable. Woman snuggling with two cats by Shutterstock

I hope the report by the task force’s ad-hoc subcommittee on the definition of “adoptable” will include instructions to remember that cats in severely stressful situations like shelters don’t behave like they ordinarily would. I hope the guidelines come with extensive instruction on the difference between scared strays and feral cats. And most of all, I hope this group’s work to define what makes a dog or cat adoptable turns out to be more of a blessing than a curse for the county’s animals.

So how do you go about getting more cats adopted? We have some simple and easy tips you can do (most of them are free!) to help boost the rate of kitties heading to their forever homes. The truth is, this is almost like marketing. Think of it like a business and market your paws. 

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Think you could spruce this place up a bit? Beautiful friendly tuxedo cat by Shutterstock.com.

1. If you have cages, pair up the kitties

Especially kittens! Many people go in looking for one cat, but have a hard time leaving a sibling or BFF behind in the cage. How can you adopt just one of them and leave her buddy? He’ll be so sad. Plus, with a friend in the cage, the cats will likely be more active and happier –- and so, more adoptable!

It also helps to explain that kittens do better with friends, especially in a home where the owner isn’t around all day. Don’t let someone adopt one without at least offering why they might consider another.

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You couldn't separate us, could you? Two cat pals by Shutterstock.com.

2. Make business cards for the cats

People come to meet kitties and often don’t decide right away. They go home and think it over, trying to figure out which would be the perfect match for their families. Give them a little something to remember by having business cards!

Include a nice picture of the cat, his name, ID number, and a little about him –- his story, age, personality, favorite toys, whether he gets along with other cats,. Be sure to also include contact information for your shelter or rescue.

People tend to hang on to these, so they have a constant reminder that other sweet babies are waiting for them. And if they don’t adopt another cat, maybe someone else who sees the card might.

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A super example found on the Friends of Jacksonville, Inc. Facebook page!

3. Have a warm, comfortable “meet and greet” place to sit

Whether the cats are in cages or free roaming at the shelter, it helps to have a nice bench or meeting room where a potential adopter can have some time with her potential new kitty. Even just a wood bench with a few pillows or cushions will do.

Some people will choose a cat quickly based on looks alone, but encouraging adopters to sit with the kitties and really get to know and cuddle them can go a long way to helping them fall in love. The most perfect kitty may just need a little one-on-one time to shine and convince someone they are perfect.

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All I need is a few minutes to cuddle and I'll convince her to take me home! Beautiful Brown Cat Relaxing by Shutterstock.com.

4. Make your voicemail from a cat

When someone calls your shelter or rescue and gets your voicemail, why not make it from one of the cats?

“Hi, none of the humans can come to the phone right now, so please leave a message. By the way, this is Callie. I’m about four years old and as fluffy and friendly as I can be, and I really hope that you’ll tell them in your message that you want me to live with you. Tell them, tell them! Okay, thanks. Hopefully I’ll see you later.”

I bet they’ll ask about Callie when they come in! Hat tip to Petfinder for this tip. Love it!

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Oh hai. Leave a message ... about me! ragdoll kitten investigating telephone by Shutterstock.com

5. Have creative events to showcase your cats

Can’t seem to get those black cats, tuxies, or tabbies adopted as quickly as the “fancy” cats? Put them in the spotlight and give them their chance to shine!

Hold a Black Cat Ball at your shelter (black tie, of course) and dress up for the occasion –- and dress up the kitties, too. Give them sparkly collars (if they’ll wear them) and spruce the place up with sparkly decorations. Black cats and tuxies only!

Or why not have a Tabby Chic party? Get your tabbies all fancied up and stage their cages with a decorator’s touch. A little bit of pretty fabric for drapes, lovely linens on their beds, stylish stuffed animals, and collars to match each one’s décor, of course. Tabbies have style!

Events like these can be done with almost no budget and are great at spreading the word to get people to come in.

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I feel pretty, oh so pretty!

6. Decorate the cages

Speaking of being fancy, why not decorate your cats’ cages with each cat in mind? Instead of newspaper, use towels to make the place more homey. If they have green eyes, use green towels to show them off. Make sure there are a few toys in the cages to not only keep your cats happy, but also make them look even cuter surrounded by adorable stuffed animals.

You can also decorate your adoption room. Paint the walls a warm, inviting color and play soft music in the background. Add a few cozy places to sit and some nice pictures on the walls of current and past cat residents. Create a little slice of heaven that people will want to come visit again and again.

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A cozy place to test out a cat. Cat resting in a chair by Shutterstock.com

7. Blog about the cats

Even if you think you don’t have a single spare second, blogging about the cats can boost interest in them, especially the shy ones who don’t “sell themselves” when adopters come in.

You know the cats better than anyone, so write up quick posts with pictures and what they do every day. Even just a quick, fun post each day will help people fall in love. Did Cleopatra cuddle up with another cat for the first time today? Maybe Jezebel discovered that there is nothing more exciting than her feather toy.

If you have litters of kittens, introduce them and keep everyone updated with new pics as they grow up. There is nothing that will go viral faster than adorable kittens. And even if those particular kitties are no longer available when people call or come in, others will be.

Don’t keep your cats hiding in your adoption room -- get them on the Internet.

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Get on here and tell my story! Technological cat with laptop by Shutterstock.com

8. Make your Petfinder descriptions unique and fun

Don’t just give age and sex and how adopters should contact you –- get creative. Make your cats stand out from the crowd. 

Tell people things they wouldn’t know from just looking at a picture. Do the cats talk a lot, love to crawl into your lap, play like a maniac, or relax calmly all day?

If a cat's purr motor kicks into overdrive every time someone approaches, tell people! If a cat clearly missed her calling as a baker because all she wants to do is knead and make biscuits, tell people! A few extra words can be all someone needs to fall in love.

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Can your kitty fly like Superman? Tell people! Young cat raves on white sofa by Shutterstock.com

9. Have specials and offers to boost adoptions

In February, announce that “Love is in the air,” and offer a special when adopting a pair of kitties. To get more black cats adopted, create signs that say, “Everything goes well with black!” and tell people they can adopt a black cat for free with any other cat adoption. Advertise a “retirement homes needed” campaign for senior kitties just looking for a place to rest their paws and relax. 

The point is, get creative. Do more than just dollar-off specials. Make them fun and unique to draw more attention.

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The more the merrier when it comes to adoptions! Little kittens in a cardboard box by Shutterstock.com

10. Don’t forget the basics 

As always, don’t forget the usual list of must-haves: Keep the shelter clean and fresh-smelling (change linens and scoop promptly!). Take beautiful pictures of the cats. Have friendly volunteers and employees who love to share information about the kitties. Make sure the cats are healthy, and separate sick ones if necessary. Have a Facebook page and post often, and respond promptly to email inquiries and phone calls.

Also, give the cats names, not just ID numbers.  

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I don't care how it happens, just take me home. Okay? kitten by Shutterstock.com

Have any more suggestions? I'd love to hear them in the comments. Let’s get some kitties some homes!

Read more on adoption and rescue: 

• 7 Tips on Cat Adoption
• 10 Tips for Taking Great Photos of Your Cat
• No Cat Left Behind: It's Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week
• 5 Reasons Senior Cats Are Awesome 

While some areas such as fostering cats and participating on the organization’s board of directors are obvious ways that you can participate, there are many other ways to volunteer that you may not have considered. Here are eight of them.

1. Socialization

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Tuxedo cat in a shelter by Shutterstock.

Socializing is very rewarding and extremely important. Socializing provides kittens and cats with the opportunity to interact with people on a one-to-one basis. If kittens and cats aren’t socialized sufficiently with people, they may not fit in as well at their new homes. Socializing cats involves petting them, playing with them, brushing them, cleaning their living areas, and just spending quality time with them. It’s a great way for children to get used to being around cats while at the same time spending time with their parents and supporting the animals.

2. Adoptions

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Shelter cat by Shutterstock.

3. Fundraising

Without a steady stream of financial donations, a rescue organization can’t operate successfully. I know from experience that it takes a lot of money to run a rescue organization. Creative and organized volunteers are always needed to coordinate fundraising events. The events can be as simple as a matching gifts program to an annual ball featuring a silent auction, dinner, and dancing. Those with a strong skillset in sales, management, and project planning would be ideal for fundraising.

4. Website maintenance

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Repair icons by Shutterstock.

A rescue organization always needs an up-to-date website so that people can view information about adoptable cats, adoption events, and donation needs. Volunteers with skills in website development, computer support, marketing, and creative design are ideal for this area.

5. Community outreach

Gaining the local community’s support is vital to a rescue organization. Some of the best volunteers come from local schools, businesses, and other non-profit organizations. Someone with public speaking skills would be ideal for this volunteer opportunity.

6. Grant writing

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Signing a Grant Contract from Shutterstock.com

Grants specifically for animal-related causes are offered by many different sources including corporations, other non-profit groups, family trusts, and all levels of the government. Thorough research is needed to determine application deadlines and the qualifications necessary to receive these types of funds. Some of the grant applications are very basic while others require detailed financials, videos, and essays to be submitted. Grants can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Someone who’s very organized, enjoys research, is experienced in accounting, and has superb writing skills would be ideal for the area of grant writing.

7. Legislative monitoring

Volunteers who participate in this area keep appraised of legislative issues that pertain to animals at the county, state, and national levels. These include initiatives and laws being proposed to ban the use of gas chambers when euthanizing animals at county shelters, anti-dog fighting laws, anti-tethering laws, homeless pets initiatives, spay/neuter initiatives, as well as trap, neuter, return initiatives. Attending local and state-level meetings to monitor and speak on behalf of the animals is essential if we are to enact better laws to protect animals of all types. Someone with a legal or law enforcement background and public speaking and networking abilities would be best suited in this area.

8. Writing publications

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Typewriter and phone by Shutterstock.

Those who enjoy writing articles and compiling information for brochures, membership drive letters, fliers, monthly newsletters, and press releases for local print and online outlets are always needed. Someone with experience in public relations and creative writing would be great for this opportunity.

These eight areas comprise just a small fraction of ways that you can get involved and support your local animal rescue organization. When I was trying to choose which of the local rescue organizations to volunteer with, I was given the following advice: “Volunteer with an organization that’s close to your home and choose an area that matches your skills and interests. That increases the chances of you making the time to volunteer a few hours a week or month.”

I will add to that to have fun, don’t commit to something that you can’t follow through with, and always keep in mind that what you’re doing is making a difference for our furry friends.

Read more by Tim Link:

• How Do You Name Your Cats?
• Does the Type of Litter Box Really Matter to Your Cat?
• 8 Steps to Trap, Neuter, and Return Feral Cats

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Marnie was found roaming the streets in a northern California town with her brother. When her sib was killed by a car, she became friends with several other cats, which is where the petite lynx-point Siamese was found by a person maintaining a colony of community cats. Now Marnie is being fostered in a San Francisco suburb and waiting for a person to adopt her.

Mulan, a front-declawed 13-year-old sealpoint Siamese, was surrendered to a shelter by a family who couldn’t afford to take care of her. She had a severe upper respiratory infection, bad teeth, and a cyst on the back of her neck. She’s not quite ready to be adopted yet, but she’s recovering nicely in a foster home in Pennsylvania.

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Siamese cat roaming outdoors by Shutterstock

These are just two of the more than 20,000 stories of cats Siamese Rescue has saved and placed in loving forever homes.

The Siamese has been one of the most popular cat breeds since its introduction. The cat’s gregarious and affectionate nature wins the hearts of people of all ages. But even their popularity and purebred status can’t save them from being abandoned or surrendered to shelters. And that’s where Siamese Rescue comes in.

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Lilac point Siamese cat resting in a warm blanket by Shutterstock

Siamese Rescue consists of four groups: Siamese Cat Rescue Center in Locust Dale, Virginia; Texas Siamese Rescue in Corinth, Texas; Rocky Mountain Siamese Rescue, which works out of a variety of foster homes in Colorado; Pacific Siamese Rescue in Carmichael, California; and Southern California Siamese Rescue in Agoura Hills, California. They rescue Siamese and Siamese mix breed cats from high-kill shelters, treat any medical conditions the kitties have, and then place them in foster homes so they can learn what it’s like to live with a loving family.

Siamese cats, particularly those who are rescued, have a special place in my heart because of an experience in my own family. My mother adopted a front-declawed sealpoint Siamese cat who had been abandoned by an irresponsible breeder wannabe in a nearby town, and after Tinka was spayed, she and Mom shared many happy years together.

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"I can has forever home?" Flame point Siamese cat by Shutterstock

So here’s to you, Siamese Rescue, and all the people who work with you to save the lives of these beautiful cats. Thank you for your hard work.

If you’re thinking you want a Siamese cat, please consider adopting from a rescue group!

Sources: Ventura County Star, Siamese Rescue website

Do you know of a rescue hero — cat, human, or group — we should profile on Catster? Write us at catsterheroes@catster.com.

A few days passed. Three adult female cats joined him. Shortly after that, seven new kittens appeared. Since we knew we didn’t want additional kittens, we knew we had to humanely trap each of them and get them spayed or neutered. We borrowed two traps and teamed up with a neighbor and set a plan for our very own Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiative.

I had some experience with this from my days running a rescue organization and working with their feral cat program. I thought trapping this many cats at my home would be very challenging. However, within a month of starting our TNR mission, all the cats were trapped, examined by the vet, neutered or spayed, provided shots, and given a clean bill of health. The process could have even been quicker, but we had to let the kittens mature a little before the surgery.

Based on my experience, here are the steps to successfully TNR feral cats:

1. Acquire a humane cat (animal) trap

You can purchase these for around $60 from your local home improvement store or online. You can also borrow one from your vet, local animal shelter, or county animal control office, but they may ask for a refundable deposit. If you buy a humane trap, you'll have one handy if more cats show up later. If you don’t think you’ll need it again, donate it to a local rescue group.

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Feral Cat Trap

2. Find a suitable location and set the trap

Place the trap on level ground -- a driveway, porch, or other area. Leave it where the cats like to congregate or receive food. The trap will have at least one door, which is kept open and secured by a small rod placed in a hole at the top of the cage.

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Door Open and Secure

3. Load the trap with food

Provide some smelly wet cat food, tuna, or sardines on a paper plate inside of the cage, as far back as possible. Be sure to place it behind the foot plate that triggers the trap. Don’t place any food outside of the trap. Cats take the path of least resistance and will always select food outside of the trap.

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Smelly Food in Cage

4. Cover the trap and leave the area

Place a large towel or lightweight blanket over all parts of the trap, except the entry door. The cover will turn the trap into more of a “safe cave” for the cat. It will also help keep them calm and protected from the weather.

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Covered Trap with Familiar Scented Towel

Once the trap is set, leave the area and wait for the cats to enter and trigger the trap. Sometimes this happens quickly; other times it takes many hours. Check the trap periodically, but do it from a distance. 

5. Check the trap

Once you see the door has closed and the trap has been triggered, gently lift the cover and peek inside. Likely, it will be the cat you were trying to trap. Sometimes, it’s another animal like a raccoon, opossum, or skunk. If you catch another critter, don’t panic! The wild animal will be more afraid of you than you are of it. Quietly and gently open the trap door, step back, and let the animal run away.

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A frightened kitten with green eyes from Shutterstock.com

6. Take the cat to the vet

Schedule a time with your vet near the time you are setting the trap. You'll usually have your best luck trapping a cat in the early evening, late at night, or early morning. Research local veterinarian’s offices or spay/neuter clinics in your area to see who is equipped to handle feral cats, and see if they offer low cost or free services. Our spay/neuter clinic, for example, is partially funded by the state and will take any feral cat in before 9 a.m. during weekdays. If you don’t know where to start, contact your local rescue organizations and animal shelters.

7. Rest and recovery time

Once the spay/neuter surgery is over, you'll need to bring the cat home to recover. It will take a few hours for the anesthesia to fully wear off, and then a day or two for the cat to fully recover. Leave the cat in the trap during this time. Or, better yet, bring a crate with you to the vet’s office when delivering your feral cat. After the surgery, the vet can place the cat in the crate for you. This will make the trap available sooner for the next cat, and the crate will provide more room for the cat during recovery.

8. Team up with a friend or neighbor to do it all again

This process worked extremely well for our initiative: I would trap the cat and take him to the vet, and a neighbor would pick the cat up from the vet’s office and would allow the cat to recover in her garage. Our teamwork sped up the process, and we split the cost of the clinic visit and surgery. It also worked well because she lives two doors down and the cats had already gotten used to being fed at both of our homes.

Yes, both of us had been feeding and looking out after the cats for a couple of months without the other knowing it. 

If you follow these steps, you should have success with your own TNR initiative. The colony of feral cats we maintain are all happy and healthy, and they never wander too far.

Looking for more articles on feral cats? Check these out:

• 13 Tips for What to Do When Your Cat Goes Missing
• The New Feral Cat in My Colony Looks a Lot Like an Opossum
• Why Do Our Cats Leave Home?

Here's the thing that got me: It's not the animals' fault they ended up at a bad place.

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Caruso is a sweetheart waiting for his Valentine at the Pompano Beach Adoption Center of Broward County Animal Care.

Do I like kill shelters? No. Are they horrible, sad places that euthanize cats and dogs right and left? Yes. Is killing for space the most awful idea ever? Yes.

But do those animals deserve the same chance at a happy forever home as the ones in beautifully decorated, plush, well-supported and well-funded no-kill shelters? Oh, hell yes. They just have a deadline for finding it.

I used to shout from the mountaintops how fabulous my favorite shelter was ("Like a little slice of heaven" was my favorite line). Go there and adopt a cat, I would say! Poor so-and-so has been there for almost two years and still hasn't found a home! 

Almost two years?! That lucky kitty! If he doesn't find a home, he’s still alive and being cared for. 

I'm not saying I don't support them -- I absolutely 100 percent do. We need no-kill shelters, and don't get me wrong: Every single shelter should be a no-kill shelter. 

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Gary is a big-headed cutie at the Pompano Beach Adoption Center of Broward County Animal Care.

But they need help to get to that. If the animals aren't adopted out, then how can the shelters keep taking in more? And they have to take in more, because someone is always finding a litter of kittens or a stray cat or (in the saddest scenarios) surrendering her longtime pet (do NOT get me started on people surrendering pets). More need to go out, so more can go in. It's a circle.

So this is how I have been spending almost all my effort lately -- for a kill shelter. There are some of the most wonderful cats at my local animal control! Tiny cats, big cats, tabby cats, black cats, pretty cats, ugly cats, Siamese, Russian Blues, Bombays, and mutts –- all pawing at their cages hoping someone will take them home. All wonderful! 

They talk when you walk by their cages and show you their bellies if you reach in. They purr the second it looks like they might be getting some attention. They rub their heads on your face and look at you with wide eyes, hoping you’re the one to break them out –- just like the cats at no-kill shelters.

And yet people avoid the place like the plague. 

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Emma was surrendered by her owner after six years. She is also at the Pompano Beach Adoption Center of Broward County Animal Care.

“Oh, I’m not volunteering there. It’s a kill shelter. It’s too sad.” 

“Eww, they are a kill shelter? The people there must not care about the animals.”

“The cats are in steel cages with no toys or attention? They are probably not friendly.”

But if people like us don’t help get the word out about animals in kill shelters and try and find them homes, how in the world are they going to get out of there safely? How can it ever be less “sad” if we don’t help it get that way? On average, they have a few weeks to get out, but sometimes it's as little as a few days.

Every single animal who makes it out of animal control is a win. They deserve a loving home with a soft bed and fun toys and a loving family. They didn’t ask to be sent to this horrible place, but they can’t ask to get out, either.

It’s up to us to help them get out.

That’s why I broke my staunch “no-kill only” pledge, and why I hope more people will, too. Animal control is not a pretty place, but it will never get any better without help and support. Imagine what a difference we can make if more people work together to do this!

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Macy and Manda, pretty 5-month old sisters at the Pompano Beach Adoption Center!

Here are some ways you can help:

1. Volunteer

This is not for the weak, because the reality is that many of those cats or dogs you go visit to play with and socialize won’t make it out. But even if they don’t, they deserve to know love, don't they? And with this love and attention, you’re making them less scared, happier, and more adoptable. Trust me, it makes a big difference. 

2. Take pictures

The photos on sites for animal control and animal services are often just the intake photos. The animals are absolutely petrified, and often in traps. Who wants to adopt those cats, compared to the glamour shots offered up by nicer places? Let’s get these animals some better pictures!

3. Spread the word

Some people don’t realize that these places put down animals, and how quickly it often happens. They think that if they surrender their pretty kitty there, she’ll definitely find a home because “she’s a great cat!” Oh, she may be, but so are the other 50 cats there. Let’s get more people in these places to adopt these babies!

4. Share the animals

Our local animal control has Urgent Cats of Broward and Urgent Dogs of Broward Facebook pages. Volunteers visit and take nice pictures and share them here, and other people then share them, and so on -- and many dogs and cats get adopted because of it! Transport is often available, so many end up going out of state to homes. Social media is a wonderful place to network.

One final note (so I don’t get destroyed in the comments):

I think no-kill shelters are awesome (My favorite one is still a little slice of heaven!). And if more pets get adopted from them, then (logic says) that they can take in more, hopefully even from animal controls. I get that, and I have many friends at wonderful no-kill shelters who have taken many cats out of our local animal control. But often no-kill places have just as many surrenders trying to come in, so ultimately they don’t have the space to help clear out the kill shelters.

I say, help somewhere. Kill or no-kill. Basically, I’m just pro-cat. Whichever ones need the most help, that’s where I’ll be.

At the time of this writing, all of the cats pictured in this post are available for adoption from Broward Animal Care in Pompano Beach, Florida. If you're interested, please click their names for more info about them: Caruso, Gary, Emma, Macy and Manda. 

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In 1984, a Meals on Wheels volunteer near San Diego delivered some food to an elderly woman’s home. The woman graciously accepted the package, then turned to look at her cats.

“We all get to eat!” she announced to her feline friends.

The fact that this woman was sharing her food -- and potentially sacrificing her health -- to feed her cats made the volunteer wonder how many other elderly and disabled Meals on Wheels clients were depriving themselves of nourishment in order to sustain their beloved pets.

It was out of this concern that the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter and educational center in San Diego, founded the AniMeals program. Donated cat and dog food is delivered by volunteers to senior centers, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and Meals on Wheels, where it is distributed to homebound, elderly, and disabled individuals by each individual organization. The program is completely free to the clients it serves, the majority of whom are unable to leave the house without assistance and often struggle with the costs and activities of daily living. 

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Elderly man with a cat by Shutterstock.com

“I think we’re helping these people in a way that many people don’t think of,” says Wendy Brown, AniMeals supervisor at the Helen Woodward Animal Center. “It’s a very unique program. Through our partners we can get the food out to the folks that need it.”

AniMeals started out serving just a handful of people in 1984. It now has nearly 50 volunteers and provides pet food to more than 160 families in San Diego County, from Oceanside to Chula Vista. 

According to the Helen Woodward Animal Center website, AniMeals helps people as much as pets -- the physical and emotional health benefits of owning pets include lower blood pressure and cholesterol, an increased sense of security, increased activity and mobility, and reduced incidents of depression. Research has also shown that elderly people with pets tend to live longer.

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Cats have made a huge difference in the life of one AniMeals client, a 95-year-old man who cares for his neighbor's kitties during the day, while she keeps them at night so he does not trip over them in the dark. According to Brown, caring for the cats brings a lot of joy to his life -- and if it weren’t for AniMeals, neither he nor the neighbor could afford to feed the cats.

“He’s outlived two wives, and he’s had brain surgery,” Brown says. “When his last wife passed away, he’d been in a position where he was taking care of her, and that kind of encompassed his entire day. Now instead of caring for his wife, he’s caring for these cats. He feeds them and plays with them, and they’re his companions. They’ve really given him a reason for living.”

By visiting with this elderly man and other AniMeals clients, Brown has seen firsthand that the many studies touting the benefits of pet ownership are accurate. 

“You read the studies that say pet ownership is good for your blood pressure and gets you mobile, but I actually got to go out and see it,” she says. “Because we’re there, it’s allowing him to keep the cats and allowing his neighbor to help him, and it’s made a huge difference in his life.”

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Grandma on couch with cat by Shutterstock.com

In this way, AniMeals keeps families together. Brown has seen many elderly individuals who have no living relatives -- and don’t know their neighbors -- rely solely on their pets for companionship.

“We get stories where people are on their own, and that dog is the only thing they have,” she says. “We’re allowing those two to stay together. It’s huge.”

The AniMeals program is always accepting donations; according to Brown, they will take any brand of pet food that is unopened, unexpired, and nonprescription. They’ve begun holding food drives at area schools, and many local Petco stores have donation bins for the Helen Woodward Animal Center or AniMeals. There is always a donation bin in the lobby of the shelter, and Brown will even drive to pick up donated food.

“Food is huge for us,” she says. “That’s how we work.”

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During the annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays event, which was founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center in 1999, millions of animals find their forever homes.

Through the first week of January, the Helen Woodward Animal Center is also holding its annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays adoption drive. Home 4 the Holidays has helped millions of animals find homes since its inception in 1999, when the Helen Woodward Animal Center organized 14 San Diego-area shelters and found homes for more than 2,500 pets, sending each home with a holiday meal of Iams food.

Today, the event has grown to include more than 3,500 shelters worldwide, encouraging people to give animals a warm home for the winter. This year, more than 970,000 animals have already been adopted. For more information on Home 4 the Holidays and a list of participating shelters, visit the Helen Woodward Animal Center website.

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Tabby cat sleeping in faux-fur bed by Shutterstock

So I visited HART's shelter and took a tour. I loved the place and the wonderful energy I felt from all the people working there -- and from the cats, too -- so I signed on as a volunteer. Although my first idea was to help with the website (and I still plan to do that), the person giving me the tour said that because HART is all volunteers, it also asks people who want to work there to help with daily cleaning and caretaking chores at the shelter.

So a couple of Saturdays ago I reported to the shelter at 8:30 a.m. I was placed with a pair of experienced volunteers in the main cat room, where I learned the procedures for cleaning, sterilizing, and preparing the shelter for the open-house hours that begin at 11 a.m.

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Kitty Committee! These are some of the cats I met on my first volunteer day at HART.

I was surprised to find that the chores I do at home without much thought or emotional involvement are somehow a lot more fun when you’re doing them for a dozen cats -- and I eagerly signed up to come in again.

This weekend, I had Room 1 to myself. Most of the kitties in that room tend to be skittish and wary of human contact, but a few of them greeted me with nose-taps and head rubs when I sat down on the floor to say hi before I started cleaning. I talked to the cats in a soft voice as I emptied water bowls and removed dirty wet food trays and sang along quietly to the ‘80s music playing on the radio as I removed dirty bedding. I wanted them to get used to me before got to the serious work.

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Kitten on a broom by Shutterstock

The “getting used to” part worked pretty well until I began moving beds so I could sanitize the shelves. Cats scattered to the farthest corners of the room as I wielded the Kennel Sol and paper towels. As I approached them, the cats, who had huddled together for comfort, parted like the Red Sea and hid in the darkest corners they could find.

They didn’t like it any better when I moved every shelf and cat tree in the place so I could sweep. Mostly they hid, but I did get a couple of hisses for my trouble. I didn’t take it personally. I know how I’d feel if my world were turned upside down by a stranger and there was nothing I could do about it.

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Hiding cat, looking curious by Shutterstock

With the sweeping done, I put the shelves and cat trees back. But just when the cats thought things were getting back to normal, I started digging up their poo and moving their litter boxes all over the place. (The nerve!)

I finished cleaning and mopping in about an hour and a half. Twelve pairs of eyes peered at me from various corners and caves, and the cats’ curious stares and baleful glares followed me out the door.

Once I came back with two trays laden with delicious wet food, all was forgiven.

That’s what I love about cats: If you feed them, it’s all good! Even “less socialized” cats can forgive almost anything when the gooshy foods come out.

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Feral cats eating by Shutterstock

So that’s my Saturday morning routine, from now until whenever.

And yes, I love it.

Do you volunteer at an animal rescue or shelter? How did you get involved, and what’s your favorite part of your work? Please share your answers in the comments.

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The first floor of the shelter was gutted by the water that flooded down after the building's sprinklers went off.

Founder Katrin Hecker was devastated and almost ready to give up. But the people of Hudson rallied around Animalkind.

“I stood there [after the fire] with 50 cats on the sidewalk, and it was the outpour of support that made me switch my whole point of view,” Hecker told the area newsweekly Metroland. “This was a time where I had to bite my tongue, grind my teeth, take deep breath, and just go forward. I realized I owed it to the people who supported us, to the animals, and to the people who work there. I thought, ‘I cannot give up.’”

A local business donated a temporary shelter space. Well-connected cat bloggers got donations of food and cat litter flowing to the organization. Adoptions increased dramatically after the news about Animalkind’s tragedy, and the organization’s Facebook page is peppered with happy-ending stories about Animalkind adoptees.

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A cat lounges by a window at Animalkind's temporary shelter.

Animalkind is trying to raise $150,000 in its Gimme Shelter campaign to rebuild in the now-gutted building. The organization's plans include offering smaller rooms to house smaller cat communities; using high-tech impermeable materials for maximum hygiene; and building a fully operational surgical suite and infirmary in order to provide on-site care for sick or injured animals and save costs in the long run by performing spay/neuter surgeries at the shelter.

At this point, Animalkind has raised about $40,000. It has a long way to go, so if you’ve still got some year-end donations to make, Animalkind could certainly use your help.

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Hecker was recently named a local hero by Metroland. Hecker shows her heroic attitude by maintaining a positive attitude and looking forward to the future.

“With the old space we really improvised,” she says. “Now we can make it really perfect.”

Source: Metroland. Images from Animalkind’s Facebook page

These two beautiful ragdolls needed a devoted foster home that would help them lose weight. I encouraged my friend Meagan, who has a soft spot for ragdolls, to take them on, and I was relieved and thrilled that she accepted. With monitored feeding, laser pointers, and a flight of stairs, Meagan was optimistic that they’d lose weight.

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Blue (left) and Bella.

With Meagan's experience, knowledge, and genuine love for animals, it seemed certain that Blue and Bella would get healthy and happy. Meagan was also optimistic that they’d have a quick adoption turnover. The next day, pickup was coordinated and the two chunky balls of fluff found their way to safety in Meagan’s home.

The bloodwork results came back. Blue’s creatine phosphokinase (or CPK) and sodium were high, but his sodium/potassium ratio was just above normal. Meagan said it could be from dehydration or stress on the heart or skeletal muscles. Blue’s thyroid hormone, meanwhile was slightly low.

Blue developed a severe upper respiratory infection, which made his breathing problems worse. Meagan took him to the vet; he had already lost two pounds from not eating. She worried that he might have aspiration pneumonia and said Blue looked awful and significantly worse every few hours. X-rays noted slight changes in chest and bronchial inflammation, which could have been either from the URI or his physical size. Blue was prescribed antibiotics. For his size, he would need almost half a bottle a day (which was $30 per bottle) so Meagan opted for a pill that is for a 40-pound dog.

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Meagan and Bella

Two days passed without improvement, and Blue had developed a retching cough. I suggested a nebulizer treatment because it worked wonders on a past foster of mine who had a severe URI. However, because of Blue’s size, it could cause adverse cardiac effects. With Blue still uninterested in food, Meagan had to syringe-feed him. Being morbidly obese, if Blue did not eat, he risked hepatic lipidosis, which could lead to liver failure. He also did not urinate or defecate. Regardless of whether this was from his sickness or inability to walk to the litter box, Meagan knew that Blue needed immediate medical treatment. He would either die from not eating or because he was unable to breathe. Meagan took Blue back to the vet, who decided that Blue would have a feeding tube and antibiotic/fluid IVs inserted the next morning.

Meagan picked him up in the afternoon. It would be easier for Blue to be at home where Meagan could monitor him and do the feedings herself. She was only home for a short five minutes before Blue started having respiratory problems and began foaming from the mouth. Meagan immediately drove him to a different vet -- it was Saturday, and the one she'd just been to had closed.

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The final moments of Blue’s life were the ones with the most injustice. The veterinarian did not take emergency action and instead argued with Meagan about Blue’s condition. Meagan asked for the mucus to be suctioned from Blue’s airway and to provide oxygen but was denied and told that Blue would survive a trip to another vet’s office. Moments later, Blue took his final breath of life. Without sympathy or an apology, the vet handed Meagan a bill.

It is unfair that so many cats like Blue are dumped at shelters. While their previous “owners” selfishly decide their pets are meaningless and disposable, I see animals who are valuable, beautiful, and deserving of life. According to shelter workers, Bella and Blue's former owner dropped off the two overweight cats but kept two who are normal size. We might never know what life Blue lived before he was brought to the shelter, but we know his final week was filled with compassion, hope, comfort, and most importantly, love.

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Bella has lost some weight and gotten over her cold.

Bella, meanwhile, is doing great.

According to foster mom Meagan, "She runs around the house from hiding place to hiding place. She's still too chunky to jump up on the bed without claws, but she's getting there. It's sad but true that her personality has really come out since Blue passed."

It's also been the year of adorable cats -- and Lil Bub is no exception. The angelic kitten, who has been dubbed as "otherworldly," somehow brought the sarcastic, cynical folks over at Vice down to their knees, and there's even a documentary and show in the works. Know why? Because Lil Bub is made of rainbows and the laughter of babies and freshly fallen snow. One look at her face and you're instantly at peace.

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Lil Bub why are so cuuute?

Lil Bub's calming powers are so great, that she even got rock star Andrew WK to take a moment from PARTYING to sit down and deliver a heartfelt -- albeit strange -- holiday message of giving.

Andrew WK -- in his own special, weird way -- asks folks, on Lil Bub's behalf, to donate to your local animal shelter this holiday season. And you should, because giving feels good and because Lil Bub asked you to -- and you wouldn't want to make Lil Bub sad, would you? Can you imagine Lil Bub sad? Heartbreaking!

Photo via Lil Bub's Tumblr

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The diminutive Singapura is affectionately known as "the Velcro cat." Girl and her Singapura cat by Shutterstock

That’s not to say I don’t care about cats who suffer in kitten mills or die on the streets. It’s certainly not to say I don’t care about the appalling number of cats who are killed in shelters simply because the constant influx of homeless cats makes it nearly impossible for open-admission shelters to have enough room to keep cats more than a week or so. But if you think rationally for a moment, you’ll realize that the problem of homeless cats is not the fault of responsible breeders -- and it is certainly not the fault of people who decide that they want to share their home with a purebred cat.

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The Siberian is known as a gentle giant with a mellow disposition. One of my good friends owns two Siberians because her spouse has a very severe allergy to the Fel d 1 protein in cat saliva, and the Siberian produces much less of this protein than other breeds. Seal-point tabby Siberian cat by Shutterstock

You can’t honestly think that if all the breeders on the planet suddenly disappeared, the millions of homeless cats would disappear along with them.

The only way there are going to be fewer homeless cats is if we educate people about the importance of spaying and neutering (starting as early as elementary school) and provide easy, affordable access to spay/neuter services -- and if we start advocating for and implementing large-scale trap-neuter-return operations to control the feral cat population.

And when I say "educate," I don't mean "explain in a patronizing tone of voice why they're wrong." I mean "be friendly and articulate, and meet people where they are."

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The Somali enjoys a reputation of being an intelligent, outgoing, high-energy and mischievous cat. Somali cat by Shutterstock

The only way we’re going to stop kitten mills from selling unhealthy and poorly socialized “purebred” cats is to educate people about the fact that there are kitten mills. Most people know about puppy mills, but very few people realize that the purebred kitten in the pet store probably came from a kitten mill or a backyard breeder.

In order to implement these real solutions, we need to stop judging and shaming people who buy purebred cats. No matter where or why the caretaker of a purebred cat got that cat, it’s a pointless waste of energy to sit on our high horse and sneer at them. Instead, let’s welcome responsible breeders and purebred cat owners into the circle of people working to improve the lives of all cats.

And now someone’s going to say, “There’s no such thing as a responsible breeder!” Oh, come on! That’s about as rational as saying, “There’s no such thing as a good rescue” after hearing about Caboodle Ranch or some other rescue that became a horrific hoarding situation.

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I confess: Self-interest might be involved in my writing this article. I'd love to add a Russian Blue to my feline family. I've started looking for a responsible breeder in my area. Russian Blue cat by Shutterstock

We in the cat rescue world tend to be entirely too judgmental in general. Whether we’re judging shelters for being “kill shelters” or judging people for buying their cats, or, worse yet, judging the shelter in the next town over because they don’t do things the same way our shelter does, we’re wasting energy that would be put to much better use coming together to save cats’ lives.

If we want a real and long-term solution for the suffering of homeless cats, we need to involve all cat lovers, not just the ones we deem worthy of being our allies. We need to understand that there will always be people who want purebred cats in their lives and to encourage those people to buy their feline friends from a responsible breeder or to adopt from a purebred rescue group.

Most of all, we need to stop the shaming and blaming.

What do you think? Lay it on me in the comments, flames and all. I’ve got my asbestos suit on!

This makes me incredibly happy and also really sad. Because there are tons of animals who will spend the holidays in shelters, without the joy of a family to give them love and presents.

So four years ago, I decided to help change that and founded Santa Paws Drive, the first-ever completely online toy-and-treat drive for shelter animals. Our pets at home get gifts for the holidays, and shelter pets deserve them, too!

Santa Paws Drive is like Toys for Tots, but for animals. We collect toys and treats and cash donations –- all online to make it super easy! -– and divide them between rescues and shelters worldwide to send some cheer to animals who aren’t lucky enough to have forever homes and families for the holidays.

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Here I am being Santa Paws and delivering toys to the kitties at Cats Exclusive in Florida a couple years ago!

Each year we choose six nonprofit, no-kill shelters based on nominations throughout October. We try to focus on smaller rescues without big funding and fame, because we know how hard they work and how much they depend on donations.

In the past three years, we have raised more than $30,000 in toys, treats, and cash, and supported 18 shelters from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Africa. (See some pictures of the past shelter animals getting their gifts on our Facebook page!)

Our six shelters for 2012 are Castaway Critters in Georgia, Forever Home Feline Ranch in Illinois, Bobbi and the Strays in New York (who were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy), H.A.R.T. Cat Shelter in Maine, Kyrenia Animal Rescue (KAR) in North Cyprus, and Foundation of Animal Protection (FAPF) in Hungary. 

There are more than 750 cats and 450 dogs at these shelters combined, and our goal is to send each and every single animal a present –- and $1,000 in cash for each rescue as well!

Our big dream is for every single animal to get the ultimate gift of a forever home, but while they’re waiting, we hope we can make their holidays as bright as they can be with tons of toys and treats.

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Kitties from the Animal Rescue League diving into their presents in 2010!

To donate, simply visit the Santa Paws Drive site and choose whichever toys and treats (bundles start at just $10) or cash (even $1 makes a difference!) you’d like to donate. We’ll collect all the donations and wrap them up in huge boxes and ship them off to the shelters in time for Christmas.

We also have a huge raffle that we put together each year, with some great companies chipping in to donate some fabulous prizes. Tickets are only $1, and we have $1,775 worth of amazing pet-lover items you can win –- and 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to the Santa Paws Drive shelters.

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Cute cats at Belleglen Sanctuary playing with the toys Santa sent them!

Santa Paws Drive is a true labor of love for me and the other “elves.” The five of us -– myself, Kerri Heath of the Kitten Crew, Salina Gannon of Nip and Bones, Diane Silver of To Dog With Love, and Lynn Haigh from Dougal’s Den -- dedicate many, many hours during the already-busy holiday season to put this together and run it each year. We don’t make a single penny, but there is nothing more rewarding than hearing from the shelters after they receive their gifts and seeing pictures of the dogs and cats with their toys. 

We’ve gotten hundreds of pictures from our past shelters -- with cats diving into the bursting boxes of toys, dogs carrying around their favorite new stuffed toy, kittens playing in their new crinkle tunnels, and much more. And what makes it even better is the outpouring of support and donations from the wonderful community of animal lovers I’ve been able to meet though blogging on Catster and on my own blog, Your Daily Cute. 

Here'a a pretty kitty at Eleven Eleven Animal Rescue enjoying one of his toys from Santa Paws Drive a couple years ago.

It truly warms my heart, and I hope we can continue to do this forever and support more and more shelters each year! Won’t you please help us put huge smiles on shelter animals faces this holiday season?

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This mom cat is taking care of 10 kittens. Yes, 10! Poor thing! Mother cat and her litter by Shutterstock

1. Your current cats should be up to date on their health care

If you already have cats in your home, make sure you get them checked out by your vet and ensure that they're up to date on their vaccinations before you bring in any fosters. Kittens in particular are very vulnerable to diseases (like upper respiratory infections) that don’t really bother healthy adult cats. Also, if your fosters happen to have any germs of their own, you'll want to keep your resident cats protected as well.

2. Know what the rescue expects of you

Some rescue groups will pay for all the fosters’ medical care, food, and supplies. Others may pay for vetting but not for food. Be sure you know how the rescue group is going to support you before you start fostering cats, and make sure you know about procedures for emergencies.

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Orphaned kitten feeding from a bottle by Shutterstock

3. The foster cats should have their own room

Keeping the foster family in one room with a door that closes securely will keep your resident cats’ stress levels down. Because foster cats are usually kittens or a mother and kittens, keeping the family in its own room will go a long way to preventing potentially fatal accidents.

4. Keep your hands clean

Keep a jar of hand sanitizer on either side of the foster room door and be sure to use it. This will help to prevent the spread of germs to or from the kittens. If you’re fostering very young kittens, for the first two weeks of fostering you should be prepared to change your clothes or wear medical smocks over your clothes when you’re having social time with your fosters.

5. Know your limits, and don’t be afraid to mention them

If you can’t or don’t want to bottle-feed orphaned kittens, make sure you tell the rescue group. If having a mother and kittens in your home is too much for you, say so. A good rescue will want to make your fostering experience as positive as possible so you’ll keep working with them.

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Kittens eating a milk porridge by Shutterstock

6. Your resident cats must come first

No matter how much you want to foster, if your current cats are getting extremely stressed out by having other cats in your home, remember that your cats were there first and their needs must be a top priority. Most rescue groups will understand if your cats can’t deal with foster kitties and will be glad you tried.

7. It is hard to say goodbye, but you have to do it

I’ve never met a foster cat parent who didn’t get choked up and a little tearful when it was time to say goodbye to his or her temporary charges. It’s totally natural. But in order to help your rescue group keep saving lives, you’ll have to learn how to let go when it’s time for your foster cats to go up for adoption.

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Children with a puppy and a kitten by Shutterstock

Fostering is one of the most difficult and rewarding ways to help a rescue group. You’ll be helping to socialize the cats and get them used to new environments, and by doing so, you’ll make it much more likely that they’ll be adopted. If you’re ready for the challenge, you’ll be a part of a nationwide network of people saving lives on a daily basis.

Have you fostered cats before? Do you have any other advice for people thinking about being foster kitty parents? Please share your tips in the comments!

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Reggie is one of the cats who will be coming to California to start his new life.

Smith, an experienced rescuer and the co-founder of FieldHaven Feline Rescue in Lincoln, CA, made calls in an effort to locate the cats. Three days later, she found them: They’d been rescued by Shore Area Volunteer Enterprise, also called S.A.V.E., a small rescue based in Toms River, NJ, and were living in emergency foster homes.

As a New Jersey native herself, Smith was heartbroken when she heard about the extent of the devastation the storm had wrought, and the struggles of all the animal rescue groups and shelters in the area.

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"We knew the sheer numbers of animals was putting an enormous strain on all the shelters in the region and we sympathized with the small rescues who were just overwhelmed,” Smith said. “Like many shelters, S.A.V.E. was already at capacity when the storm hit. We had to find a way to help."

Smith already knew she was going to bring her relative’s two cats to the West Coast; FieldHaven also offered to bring five more S.A.V.E. cats to its facility. Two other organizations stepped up and played a critical role in making this cross-country rescue happen. RedRover, an organization dedicated to helping animals in crisis, made an emergency grant to cover air transportation costs, and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, donated seven airline-approved carriers.

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Peanut

The cats were originally going to fly from New Jersey to Sacramento on November 28, but Northern California has been enduring heavy rain and gusty winds, which have caused a lot of flight delays. Both the rescue organizations and the airline were concerned about the cats’ safety under those circumstances, so the little refugees are not on the West Coast yet.

According to FieldHaven’s Facebook page, the cats’ flight has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 4. Let’s hope the weather remains good and these seven gorgeous cats can begin their new lives on the other side of the country.

Source: FieldHaven Feline Rescue press release; photos from FieldHaven’s Facebook page