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How fostering a pooch can add a little spice to your life

I often talk about the myriad benefits of fostering an animal.  It’s a great way for those who cannot adopt to get a furry cuddle fix and help an animal in need! It is also a great way for someone who is uncertain if they are ready to commit to a companion animal to test the waters.

I thought I’d share my latest foster with all of you, as she is quite the little treasure! Here is Ms. Pepper- the original Spice girl!

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1 With the ears of a rabbit, one blue eye and one brown, Pepper is like no pooch I've ever met!

2 I find her black nose with pink nostrils to be quite fetching!

3 Pepper has had it rough in her short life. She was rescued from an abusive home, so she needed a little stability before we could assess her true personality and what kind of home would be a good fit.

4 Some rest and time to adjust are among the most important things a foster home can provide, especially for animals whose time is up at a shelter and who may be a little shaken by the experience.

5 While with me, Pepper relaxed and daydreamed about what her forever home would be like.

6 I even caught her reading some Freud.

7 Who new she was so analytical?

8 Professor Pepper is quite the pooch!

9 Deep in thought....

10 She also played with some new toys...

11 And enjoyed some good backrolls!

12 By fostering Pepper we were able to learn she was fine with cats.

13 More than fine, actually -- I often discovered her lounging in the afternoon sun like a lady of leisure with my uber-tolerant rescued feline, Max.

14 Her adventures with me included...

15 ...meeting a giant version of herself...

16 ...and a stop in San Francisco.

17 It turns out she had always wanted to visit and drive across the Golden Gate bridge.

18 Here we are with Alcatraz behind us.

19 Knowing I'm able to help an animal in need makes it all worth it!

Rescue groups always have more animals they want to save than places to house them.  Contrary to what many people think, most rescue groups do not have a physical facility and they rely solely on fosters to be able to save the animals they re-home.  It’s heart wrenching for these rescuers to have time run out for a wonderful adoptable animal before a home or foster can be found.  So fostering is literally the life-saving link in so many happy endings.

And fostering can take many forms.  Typically a rescue group will first do a home visit to assess what is a good fit for you, what other animals are in the home if any, and to hear what you are able to provide.  To find a rescue group in your area and learn about fostering opportunities, visit AdoptAPet.com

Next week I’ll talk more about fostering and share the very happy ending to Pepper’s journey to her forever home.

In Kinship,

Dr. Pia Salk.

PS: Remember to tell us your pet adoption stories for an opportunity to win a $10,000 donation to the One Hope Network shelter of your choice — not to mention a trip to New York City (my hometown!) to see the Martha Stewart show!

Why adopt just one cat? These pairs are looking for homes together. Spike and Mom, a mother and son from Chicago.

Recently I have been involved in a super fun campaign — it’s a campaign to end the negative stereotype of the “crazy cat lady” and to be quite frank, I think it’s long overdue. As one who shares my home with three amazing rescued cats, I can attest to how off base the crazy cat lady mythology really is.

Rex and Ollie, two brothers from Woodinville, Washington.

A survey done by Purina revealed that 71% of cats in homes actually live in multiple-cat households. Yet, while having multiple cats is clearly a way of life for so many Americans, negative and misleading stereotypes still exist.

Purina’s Tidy Cats survey revealed that seven of 10 people who do not share their home with cats consider those with two or more felines to be “lonely” or refer to them as “crazy cat ladies.” The survey goes on to reveal, however, that the reality is quite the opposite. Those sharing their homes with multiple cats describe their lives as fulfilled, socially active and, to put it bluntly, odor-free.

Kitten and Lap Cat Mom from New York City.

While the survey was certainly informative, Purina decided to enlist the help of real experts — actual multiple-cat households — to make its point. Participants were invited to submit their own stories about their multiple-cat homes and by doing so, redefine what it means to be a “crazy cat lady.” Not surprisingly, the stories confirmed the study’s findings, revealing a population of well-adjusted multiple-cat families living fulfilled and meaningful lives with their feline companions. And these stories did not only come from women!

Ava and Zsa Zsa, two sisters from Atlanta, Georgia.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to read the stories and help select the 10 finalists. I’m here to report that it was quite challenging, as their were so many great contributions that served to redefine what it currently means to live in a multiple-cat home.

Before I ruin the surprise regarding our winner, I’ll just direct you to the finalist stories and you can see for yourselves what today’s “crazy cat lady” looks like, and what living with multiple felines means to so many families across the country — myself included!

Pop and Brutus, two brothers from New York City.

My hope is that those promulgating antiquated stereotypes will think twice about their assumptions and perhaps even consider opening their homes to a shelter cat or two themselves. There is no doubt that, like any one of our 10 finalists, they will be pleasantly surprised. Cats are truly amazing creatures. My professional opinion is that those willing to get to know these unique creatures are to be hailed as anything but crazy.

Thanks, Tidy Cats, for debunking these catty myths!

In Kinship,

Dr. Pia Salk

PS: Please write back and let us know about your own multiple-cat family! And if you adopted your feline pals from a shelter, consider entering our pet-adoption photo contest!