Every once in a while, we ask for help. It doesn’t happen too often but when we do, it is always for an important reason.
When Lulu and Petunias Mom passed away from Covid, her young daughter was left behind with a ton of responsibilities.
This young lady was left with the daunting task of packing up her home on her own, because her father had also passed away a few years ago as well.
The worst part was that she had 5 cats that she loved very much. She was able to find a small apartment to move into, that would allow her to take 2 cats.
As most of you know, finding a rental with 5 cats is not easy. She found a home for a third, and that left Lulu and Petunia. Both cats had been with her since kittens. They were now 13 years old.
An amazing part of Lulu and Petunias past was that when they were just kittens, a wonderful young lady was hired at an animal shelter, and her first day there, she was told to put down kittens in the back due to overcrowding.
Instead, she took Lulu and Petunia, hid them in her sweatshirt pockets and ran out, and never returned. They went to a wonderful home, and were loved for 13 years unconditionally, until their mom passed away.
The day I met the young daughter, I spoke to her about surrendering Lulu and Petunia. We do have a surrender fee, but due to her circumstances, we discounted that fee in half. If we could have waived it completely we would have, but when you take in senior cats, we just never know how long we will have to care for them in rescue, and the cost of vet bills can occur more frequently with seniors.
I promised her we would get them adopted. I also promised her I would keep them in foster care until they were adopted, because they were seniors and probably would not do well in our habitats.
She and I hugged after she said her goodbyes as she cried in my arms. I have said it before, it was truly my hardest day in rescue.
I have tried very hard to keep my promise in every way. These 2 girls have been in foster for well over a year now. They are on their 3rd foster family right now. They hit the jackpot. Connie and her husband George love them like their own. They sleep in bed with them every night. George plays the guitar for them as they look out their windows and listen. They are both on thyroid medicine now, and Connie chases them around the house each day, giving them their pills. They tell me that they can stay as long as they need to. I have exhausted many avenues trying to get them adopted. Social media, adoption events, patch articles, Observer article, word of mouth. Not one bite. So they remain in foster care, loved and cared for.
Last week Lulu stopped eating. She looked ill as she submerged herself in her water dish. She dry heaved and hid in a corner staring at a wall. I rushed her to the animal hospital. Lulu has a heart murmur, a thyroid problem and now was bordering on the line of diabetes. The Doctor did not like the way Lulu looked at all. Now between 14 and 15 years old, I had a pit in my stomach as I contacted the other directors to discuss her care. Director Don Kershan said it swiftly and with love. “Whatever it costs, as long as she is responding we try; this is what we do”. Director Janet Recchia agreed. I was so relieved.
Lulu spent 2 nights in the hospital. They stabilized her and Foster Connie was able to bring her home yesterday. She is very frail, but clearly happy to be home as she curled up next to her sister and her foster parents to sleep. Our vet bill was well over $3500.00, with follow up visits to come over the next few weeks. We have all committed to keeping Lulu comfortable and loved for as long as she has left. This is what we do. Every life matters, kittens, teenagers, senior cats. If we could help them all we would.
I was sad the other day because I never was able to get Lulu and Petunia officially adopted. When I had to leave her at the hospital, it was my name that I had to give the Doctor if something happened to her. My dear friend reminded me that even though the “adopted” component is not there, Both of them really do have a forever home because just like any good mom, Connie and I were by her side when she got sick. We worried about her. She has an extended family looking after her with love, as shown when Directors Don and Janet said whatever it takes, lets make her better. Connie could not wait to get her home. And just like a loving family, we will all be by her side until the end.
So yes, every once in a while we ask for help, and if you can help with any donation towards Lulu’s care, it would be very helpful and so appreciated. Thank you so much for always supporting Northport Cat Rescue.
Lora Wild
Director
You can make a difference by donating today to Northport Cat Rescue Association.
Northport Cat Rescue Association Inc. is a 501 c 3 non-profit animal rescue organization.
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