| | | | “A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” ~Tenneva Jordan
“A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done.” ~Author Unknown
“Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy…” ~Every 4-year old you’ve ever encountered
(And quite a few kittens.)
During kitten season, that last can sound more like the desperate cries of hungry kittens, their eyes not yet open – at least it often sounds so in the world of rescue. Last weekend, as many of us celebrated selfless mothers giving up their slice of pie, we at FFGW also celebrated one of our greatest resources - foster moms - who are our important link between intake and permanent homes. (Don't worry, foster dads - your month is coming up next!)
We have SO many great foster moms it's very hard feature less than all of them - but here's just one, from one of our newer fosters. Jess is telling us about fostering her most recent mother cat, but what she's really telling all of us is what a compassionate foster she herself is! |
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Kiki didn’t plan on being a mother to four kittens, raising them outside for the first three weeks of their lives and not knowing what the future would hold for them. Not being much more than a kitten herself, it couldn’t have been easy for her. Luckily, she and her kittens were found by a family who knew to call FFGW for help. |
| My husband, Rob and I got the call on a Friday evening that there was a mama cat and her four kittens that needed a foster home. It had been almost a month since our last foster, Bijou, went to her forever home, so we were ready to welcome our next fosters. We keep cat and kitten supplies at the ready for exactly this purpose, so were able to pick up Kiki and her kittens, Fred, Velma, Shaggy and Daphne bright and early the following morning.
They were cleaned up, fed and settled in to their new home where Kiki continued to be the most loving and attentive mom. They have all thrived and are ready to bring joy to their forever families.
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Rob and I started fostering cats about 8 years ago when we lived in Coronado, CA. Our first foster kitten, Kix stole our hearts and ended up never leaving. Shortly after Kix chose us as his family, we welcomed his sister Buttercup to our family. Kix and Buttercup enjoyed a wonderful life in California and moved with us to Washington, D.C. in 2019.
While in Coronado, Rob and I got involved in TNR in our local community. The year-round, warm weather in Southern California means kitten season never ends and we saw first-hand the suffering and hardships of large feral colonies that go unchecked.
During that time, we TNR’d dozens of community cats and rescued many kittens with the help of some wonderful organizations in San Diego.
We were still getting settled into our lives in Washington, D.C when COVID changed everything. I spent the better part of the summer of 2020 working from home which looking back was a gift, as Kix passed away unexpectedly in August 2020. That summer at home with him was truly a special time. After that, Rob and I decided that it was time to start fostering again. We knew it would be good for us and for Buttercup who was missing her brother. We reached out to FFGW who welcomed us as fosters. We’ve had tremendous support from the FFGW community and are grateful to be a part of this wonderful organization.
Jess - you're wrong! FFGW has had tremendous support - from YOU! (And so has Kiki and her babies!) |
| | | And we couldn't let Mother's Day go by without mentioning some of our mother cats of the past - and FFGW has had some awesome ones! |
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Cats like Lyric, who defended her kittens from a predator, becoming injured in the process, before she and her family were rescued by FFGW. Thanks to your support, and of course - a wonderful foster mom - Lyric’s wounds healed, she was treated for a sinus infection, received dental care for broken teeth likely damaged when she was protecting her kittens, and found a fantastic forever home.
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| | Then there were Stella and Bella. Both pregnant, the girls were left at a shelter by the same person at the height of kitten season. Separated at the shelter, they had 6 kittens between them within 4 days of each other. We didn't know if they got along, or even if they knew each other, but with few options and desperate to save their families, we placed them in the same foster home.
Not only did they get along, but they loved each other deeply and devotedly. Stella wedged herself into Bella's carrier and the girls washed each other's faces. And then Stella examined Bella's 1-day old kittens carefully and bathed them thoroughly from nose to tail, while exhausted Bella rested and purred!
We couldn't do it - without our moms! |
| | It's Not Too Late to Make It Up to Mom For That Awful Mother's Day Gift You Got Her!
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| | You Can Get Mom a Kitten!
(Tell your Mom not to panic... she doesn't actually get a live kitten!)
For just a donation of $50, you can sponsor a kitten in FFGW's care - and help defray the more than $500 it takes to prepare just one kitten for adoption.
When you donate on line, select "Honor" under "Tribute Type" and in the message tell us you're sponsoring a kitten for mom - we'll send you a photo of the kitten that your donation is helping, and a little story of the kitten's rescue. |
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I Feel Like Something Chewy!
Actually, not that chewy, but "Chewy"!
www.chewy.com is a pet product company specializing in home delivery of all things pet-related. FFGW has a "wish list" which you can find here:
Any products you select from our wish list will be delivered directly to us for use at our adoption center at PetSmart and by our fosters!
If you're new to Chewy, we'll even get a gift certificate for bringing in a new purchaser. It's a great way to help us in our mission to help the kitties! |
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You can also help us by making your Amazon purchases through our "smile" link!
You can use the button on the left for anything Amazon - your price doesn't change but a percentage goes to FFGW!
So far this year we've received over $450, which provides 16 distemper shots - enough to completely protect two litters of kittens!
Thank you!
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| | | | Now that we're beginning to venture out and visit friends, why not bring a great host gift, and support rescue at the same time?!
Wonderful scented candles and other great gifts can be purchased from Pet House, and 20% of the sale price goes directly to FFGW!
Just click on the banner or photo above, make a purchase between now and May 30, and know that you have helped with finding homes for kittens this kitten season!
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| | https://ffgw.org/cat-adoption-application/Adoption Fairs
Reston Monthly Fair Postponed Until Further Notice
Leesburg Weekly Fair Leesburg PetSmart: Every Sunday Noon - 3 --Midweek Adoptions by Appointment for Cats in the Center--
We need volunteers to help care for the cats at Leesburg! Contact Brittany@ffgw.org
Looking for a new cat for your family? Get pre-approved for adoption by filling out an adoption form online today.)
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| | We've Gone Home! Adopted in March (40!):
Stripey, Lulu, Marsh, Mishu, Maple, Rosemary, Henry, Puppy, Bambalina, Muffin, Bella, Max, Stella, Stanlee, Kitty5, Drayson, Blue, Pepita, Grimlin, Nugget, Sissy, Mango, Blaze, Kitty, Callie, Destiny, Cami, Lola, Fluffball, Alani, Tobasco, Milkshake, Bell, Wilma, Betty, Rocco, Juliette, Cristal, Boone, & Fred
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