I recently lost my tabby cat, Cricket. She was the last of a whole passel of critters I adopted back in about 2001. Around the time Cricket had died, another tabby cat showed up on my porch. At first, I thought he was part of the TNR cat group I’d been seeing around. However, he was clearly not feral, and soon became a regular visitor. A very noisy, talkative visitor, who settled into my porch area from time to time, sleeping on my chair, and tolerating my petting him and playing with him. After he warmed up to me, I noticed that he was (unfortunately) un-neutered.
Santa Fe Animal Control said they didn’t really come out on cat calls, so I was at a loss at what to do for gentle Piglet. Especially since I was already head-over-heels for the little guy. It was hard for me not to feel that it was fate–given that he was a tabby, and he’d shown up just when I’d lost Cricket (one year after I lost my other senior kitty, Lettuce). I wanted to take him in, instantly, but I knew I didn’t have the funds to take care of another animal. I knew how much pets cost, having just cared for 13 animals all the way through their end-of-life care. But I didn’t want him running around, un-neutered and making more babies. None of the neighbours I talked to seemed to know whose cat he was, either.
Finally, I reached out a local cat organization, Felines & Friends, who oversees a pool of foster homes for cats. I felt so guilty and selfish when I told them I couldn’t foster sweet Piglet, because I didn’t have the money, and also if I did foster him, given my current emotional state and still grieving and vulnerable, I knew wouldn’t be able to let him go when and if someone wanted to adopt him. Lucky for little Piglet, Felines & Friends still offered to take him, get him neutered, and move him into their adoption pool.
He was easy to catch and transport to Felines & Friends main center. But I cried the whole way there, and then cried in the car, sitting next to him in the trap. He’d only been coming around a couple of weeks, but I had already gotten so attached. I wanted more than anything to be his forever home. But the responsible long-time animal rescue volunteer/shelter worker side of me knew I couldn’t manage it, and it would be so irresponsible to take him in, when I couldn’t afford to provide him with the care he would need throughout his life–at least until I would be able to get out of student loan debt and off food stamps, etc.
And now, I owed a whole other kind of debt to the amazing Felines & Friends for not only helping out the wonderful Piglet with a second chance, giving him safety and security, and a chance at a forever home, but also helping me out, with my big heart but empty wallet. Someone who just wanted the best life for sweet Piglet.
So, this blog is a big thank you to Felines & Friends for all their support and caring. Please, if you’re local to New Mexico, you can find Piglet and lots of other amazing cats available for adoption at their Petfinder web page: https://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=NM38. They also need fosters, so if you have the room, please consider joining their foster program. In addition to adult cats needing a foster home, it’s kitten season, so short-term fosters are also needed for a plethora of kittens and even mom cats nursing kittens. They can provide some supplies and other items needed to foster the cats, but donations of cash and cat supplies are always welcome!
Remember, ADOPT DON’T SHOP! And have your pet spayed or neutered to reduce pet overpopulation in shelters.
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Piglet is adorable. I’m sure he will find a great home thanks to you. It was the responsible thing to do. ??
Thanks for the support!
Piglet is such a cutie! 🙂
I know, right? 🙂 *mew* *mew*
Apologies btw if you notice any issues on likes and comments atm. There seems to be a few WP reader bugs atm xD. WordPress is working on it. 🙂
Wonderful outcome for you and Piglet! Thanks for not giving up on him. >^..^<
Thanks! *fist bump* 🙂
Lettuce and Piglet? I always am amused by the names people give to cats. Maybe I should foster but I think I wouldn’t want any to leave……….
Hope he finds a good home.
Did I understand your story that Piglet found a forever home? I hope he did, he’s so cute.
He hasn’t, so far, but he’s safe in a wonderful foster home.
I’m glad he’s in a wonderful foster home. Did the foster parents ever consider adopting this cat?
I’m not sure, yet. Will keep you guys posted!
OK I’ll be waiting
piglet is sweet
I’m happy a cat like that has been given a chance to be a great house cat. We adopted two off the streets (Midnight and Shadow; see our posts) pretty much the same way. It’s great to see more and more people caring about adopting animals.
~Grace
I’m sorry for your loss, I love cats and it’s always devastating. Also, Piglet is such an adorable name!! You are very brave for what you did,having to give him up so he can have a chance at a fur-ever home. I teared up a little. Best of luck to Piglet.
Aw, thank you so much! I’ll keep you guys posted on the little guy!
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Glad that he is safe in a foster home and neutered! Hoping he finds a forever home soon!
Just letting everyone know that I just got an email from the head of Felines & Friends–Piglet has been adopted by a “mature, professional” person and has “made himself at home”. I am so happy for Piglet!
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