06/06/2024
One year ago today, June 6th, 2023, the start of it all, I lost my furry kid, Othello.
After 2 years of heart disease, I came home from work, and he had passed away.
After a hard few days, I decided I wanted to adopt a new furry kid. My usual shelter was closed, and I eventually ended up at a shelter I had never been to. Not only was it eye-opening how underfunded some of our Oklahoma shelters are, but I was absolutely horrified by the sheer amount of kittens at the shelter. Kittens crying and scrambling to get free, climbing the cages and trying to push their faces through the grates, crying for attention. I could barely take it, I grabbed one and got out of there as fast as I could.
Something made me want to go back and ask how I could help.
I started with donating to helping clean, eventually taking a few sick cats to the vet, and one day being asked to take some bottle babies…
I had no idea that 0-6 week old kittens needed around the clock care, statistically only 20% survive. It's not likely they will survive in a shelter with the lack of funds, staff, and time.
Since becoming a foster in July 2023, I have already rehabilitated and help adopt out several kittens. And plan to start my own non-profit eventually.
Losing a furry kid is hard, but I think about the kittens I have since been able to save. I also think if it didn’t happen when and how it did, who knows how things would be different.
I hope my story can encourage others to ask, “how can I help?”. Whether donating, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. You never know how it can change your life in only a year. It could possibly give you a whole new perspective on a hard time. It can definitely change the life of someone else, from something as small as an itty bitty bottle baby kitten or as large as a fellow human being.
It can’t be said enough. Spend time with your kid, whether furry or human. Life is short.
[Image: Othello at his favorite place to sit, a rock and roll wig my friend left at our house after an 80's party]
