Being FAITHful ... ===ADOPTED!!!=====

As with any rescue, we would love it if all our cats and kittens were adopted into loving homes as quickly as they find their way to us. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. A few of our furry little friends have been in our care for upwards of 1 1/2 years before being found by their perfect forever family. This, obviously, is not the ideal situation for anyone - human or feline. And it saddens us that some of our wonderful cats and kittens have to wait so long before finally being given the chance to the loving family they so rightly deserve.

Faith is one such unlucky (and quite unhappy for that matter) cat. Kitty Colony is the third rescue to place this dear girl for adoption. And why?? What is it she lacks that so many other cats and kittens have ample supply of?? The Answer - NOTHING!

When I realized we were having trouble getting potential adopters to consider Faith, I took it upon myself to correct the situation by fostering her in my own home. It did not take me very long to discover the "problem" was simply that she had no problem at all. Sure, she was a little shy and reserved at first, but we worked - with little ease - on breaking her thin shell. Soon enough, the real Faith surfaced. And what a cat she has shown to us!

Faith continues to amaze me on how wonderful a companion she can be. At times, she pretends to be independent and reserved, but show her how much you love her and she will show you how much she needs you! What I thought was a laid-back couch cat quickly became a playful, inquisitive, and very alert girl with the help of some string and a rambunctious kitten named Deanna. The 6 year old adult I believed would fit only in a one-cat household of an older couple, has shown me she would be perfectly content in just about any environment.

As much as I have learned from Faith, she too has learned from my family. Yes, a purring cat jumping in an open lap is a good way to distract a human from reading. Yes, napping on a comfy bed with your family is better than any lonesome floor or cat bed. And yes, traipsing around with a bunch of 4-year old humans on a "treasure hunt" is a fun way to spend any afternoon.

Now, as with anything or anyone, Faith is not without flaws. In fact, she has but one snag in her plans of being 100% the perfect cat - her ears. Beyond her control, Faith's ear canals can get very dirty, very quickly. This is easily combatted with occasional ear cleanings (a normal, routine procedure that should really be performed on any cat). While she does not particularly enjoy having her ears drowned in cleaning solution and poked by cottonswaps, Faith has learned to tolerate it. And so have I. You see, it only takes but a few moments from my busy days to relieve this dear girl of the itchy ears she cannot herself care for.

And before you ask that question I can already hear coming - I would keep her myself if I could. But we cannot keep them all. Our job, as animal rescuers, is to care for them until they can find a home of their own. If I adopted every cat and kitten I have fostered in the last 10 years, I would have no room left for the hundreds of homeless cats and kittens still waiting for their chance at a warm bed and a full stomach.

So this is my plea to you - the potential adopter searching for that perfect new member of your household. Give this anxiously waiting, and eager to please, loving cat a little faith. Show her that there is a family waiting for an older girl with a broken ear. And

allow yourself the chance to discover how great a companion she already is. 

- Written by a Kitty Colony Board Member