Washington Humane Society Blog

Foster Your Love for Cats!

By: Kate Zapf, Foster Program Coordinator

It seems like just a few days ago I was bundling up my dog for our treks in the cold winter weather, but with this beautiful balmy weather we’re having, there’s no denying now that Spring is here to stay! With the Spring come the kittens and they’re pouring into our shelters—tiny mewling ones still with their mom, rambunctious boys wrestling with their brothers, cuddly girls just learning to eat on their own. Our most valuable resource in addressing this onslaught is our Foster Program, which gets these vulnerable little ones out of the shelter and into safe, quiet homes where they can get big enough, strong enough and socialized enough for adoption. Without the dedication of our amazing volunteer Foster Parents, we would have few options for these adorable springtime specials.

Fostering is one of the most rewarding ways to help the animals of the District. Just by opening your home to some needy kittens until they are adopted, you can experience the joys of kitten companionship AND the pride of finding them a new, permanent home. You’ll also know that you’ve helped expand the walls of our shelter and opened up more space for homeless animals that need our help. 

All you need to care for kittens is a spare room—even a bathroom will do!—and a lot of love.  Becoming a Foster Parent is easy—just fill out an application and attend one of our upcoming  Cat/Kitten Foster Trainings. To learn more about our Foster Program, visit our website: http://www.washhumane.org/fostercare.asp or email me at kzapf@washhumane.org. 

Contact me for an application and then plan to attend one of these trainings:

Wednesday, April 30, 6 p.m. at 7319 Georgia Ave., NW

Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. at 7319 Georgia Ave., NW

Saturday, May 10,  11 a.m. at 7319 Georgia Ave., NW

Wednesday, May 14, 6 p.m. at 1201 New York Ave., NW

Sunday, May 18, 11 a.m. at 1201 New York Ave., NW

Monday, May 19, 7 p.m. at 7319 Georgia Ave., NW

Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. at 7319 Georgia Ave., NW

Kitten Season ... It’s coming!

By: Kate Zapf, Foster Program Coordinator

It’s coming!

It seems to get here earlier every year…first the soft pitter patter of a few tiny little paws, then the thunder of hundreds and hundreds of tiny little paws. It’s Kitten Season. Due to the nature of animals’ breeding cycles, the warm weather brings with it an overwhelming number of baby animals of every kind, but nothing prepares you for the masses of kittens that come pouring in the doors. In the shelter, our minds are already turning, just trying to figure out the answer to the Kitten Season Question: “Where will they all GO?”

The shelter is not a good place for young kittens, or for moms trying to raise their litters. Young animals are extremely vulnerable to disease, and stress adds significantly to the risk. Most of the kittens that come into the shelter in the spring are too young for adoption (they must be at least 8-weeks-old), and the moms and litters of babies must wait several weeks before they can be adopted. We can’t hold them in the shelter for that time—even if we have the space to hold them, the stress and illness will take its toll.

This is why we need foster homes so much in the spring. Our foster parents are ready, on short notice, to come rescue moms and litters, or young kittens by themselves, from the shelter. They bring them home and give them a safe, quiet space to grow and develop. They socialize the kittens, feed them and love them and then, when the time is right, find the “purrfect” adopters and send them off to their new forever homes. It’s a little work with a lot of reward—not only do you get to play with and love some unbelievably adorable kittens, but you also get the satisfaction of knowing that without you, they wouldn’t have had the chance to find loving homes.

All you need to foster kittens is a safe, quiet place for them, isolated from your other pets. Moms and litters do well in spare bathrooms; older kittens are perfectly happy to set up camp in your guest room or study. When the kittens are old enough, we publicize them on our web site, showcase them at our adoption events, and help you find them their new home! Once everyone is adopted you are ready to bring home another group of tiny little kitten paws.

Our amazing foster homes help us save hundreds of lives every year, but we need more help to bear the load of Kitten Season. Please consider opening your home to these adorable babies this spring and helping us to save more lives! If you would like to learn more about fostering, or fill out a foster home application, please email me at kzapf@washhumane.org. I will be holding a Cat and Kitten Foster Training on Wednesday, March 26^th at 6 p.m. at our Behavior and Learning Center (7315 Georgia Ave., NW), and would love to have your applications before then so that we can get you started fostering right away! 

Foster Your Love for Animals

By: Tara

Are you able to open your heart and home to an animal in need, but not quite ready to adopt for one reason or another? Now could be the perfect time to become a Foster Parent for the Washington Humane Society (WHS) and help an animal in our care. (photo below of our Director of Annual Giving, Peter Larson's foster dog, Odie, an 8-year-old black lab that was left in the parking lot of our shelter and of our Volunteer Program Manager, Eleanor Blackford's foster cat, Tiger, who was kicked out of his home when his owners decided they no longer wanted him)

To view all of our animals awaiting permanent adoption in a volunteer foster home, Click here! As the only open-access shelter in Washington, DC, our shelters take in an average of thirty three animals on a typical day. Our Foster Program works around the clock to provide comfort to all of the animals in our care.

Take the next step and attend a WHS new foster parent orientation on:

Sunday, January 13th at 10:30 a.m.
at the 1201 New York Avenue, NE location

Sunday, February 24th at 11:00 a.m.
at the 7315 Georgia Avenue, NW location

For more information please click here to visit the Foster program page on our web site, or to R.S.V.P please contact: Kate Zapf, Foster/Rescue Coordinator, at 202-541-6358, kzapf@washhumane.org. As Kate always says, "It’s a short time in your home, a lifetime in your heart!"

Adopting from the Washington Humane Society is Hot, Hot, Hot!

By: Tara

Two days ago when I drafted my first official blog, I remember thinking, will I really have enough to blog about every day? Now, just two days later I can't stop telling myself, don't forget to mention this, this, and this! I have so much to tell you about, I don't know where to start! Today, I want to give a HUGE thank you the radio station Hot 99.5, who has partnered with us on their "12 Strays of Christmas" promotion. I also have to thank a very good friend and supporter of WHS, Heather Guay, (Side note: Heather and I become good friends when we worked together at Washington Life Magazine a few years back) who is the PR Manager of the new Bloomingdale's in Chevy Chase, or "Chevy Chic" as Heather likes to say. Heather was on the way to work last week and heard on the radio that Hot 99.5 was hoping to do this, and e-mailed immediately to tell me.

Starting this morning Hot 99.5's well-known morning host, Kane (see photo), will promote 12 of our wonderful Washington Humane Society (WHS) animals available for adoption, featuring 6 cats and 6 dogs on their web site, and talking about it on air all through next week!

In honor of this, we named one of our fantastic Georgia Avenue shelter residents after Kane (see photo of our four-legged Kane below)

This promotion means so much to WHS and to me. Since we operate the only two open-access shelters in Washington, DC, we take in an average of thirty animals a day, and we are committed to our 5-year Good Home Guarantee plan that promises to place every adoptable animal entering our shelters in a loving by 2010. I often find from talking to members of our community that so many do not know the amount of incredible work that WHS does, how multifaceted we are, that we are the only DC based organization answering every single call for help, and turning NO animal away (24 hours a day-7 days a week), and just how much support we give the entire DC metro region through all of our programs and services, (not done yet) and just how committed we are to becoming a model for urban animal care to lead the entire country!

All of this is what brought me to WHS just a little over a year ago, and I can't wait to tell you all the story on how I got here! It is quiet an interesting "tail!" I hope to see you tomorrow at the new Bloomingdale's, Chevy Chase, for our holiday Santa/Frosty photo event! Please keep your comments coming, they are really helping me through this blogging process!   

My Velveteen Rabbit

By: Isabel

His previous family brought him to the shelter; they didn't want him any more. He waited in our cat room for weeks and weeks. Hundreds of prospective adopters must have come through. He got compliments here and there, and hugs now and then, but nobody offered to take him home. I signed up to foster him because I felt like he deserved better, but I thought of him only as a guest. I already had two cats and wasn't looking for a third.

But... over the next two weeks, I found it harder and harder to understand why nobody picked him. The more time I spent with him, the more adorable he became. Finally I filled out his adoption form. As I signed my name at the end, I thought of the Velveteen Rabbit, a children's book you might have read. Real isn't how you start out, it said. It's something that happens to you. When someone loves you, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.

After I turned in the paperwork to make China Man (he needs a new name!) mine, I stopped by to give Jazzy a celebratory kitty spa treatment. She has the thickest, softest fur ever and loves being brushed. She just got adopted too, after a long, long stay at the shelter. I'm glad her new person recognizes the beauty and sweetness that so many others overlooked.

I visited with Diva too, and hoped that someone will come along to make her Real. Cute as she is in her shelter cage, I'll bet you'll find her absolutely stunning and totally irresistible once you bring her home. Please - give her a chance!

Some second chances are harder won

By: Isabel

I met Jackson a few days after he was surrendered by his previous owner. Because he seemed exceptionally shy, he was transferred from our New York Avenue shelter to our quieter Georgia Avenue shelter. It turned out his lack of interest in both people and other dogs had less to do with his personality than the fact he can't see! His former family neglected to mention that he's completely blind.

Although he was severely underweight and in desperate need of a bath, he got lots of compliments on his sad, soulful face and soft, gorgeous fur. I tried taking him out for a walk and was surprised by how willingly and comfortably he followed me around the block.

So I'm really, really glad but not too surprised that he's adjusting well in his foster home. Foster mom Beverly says he is able to bound up and down the stairs and gets along splendidly with his canine and feline foster brothers.

While there are many, many sad stories among the 200+ animals who come through our shelters each week, few have encountered the enormous obstacles Jackson has had to overcome. Would you or anyone you know consider giving him a chance? He's a super sweet 1-year-old who'd be a great friend for years to come.

PS - Thanks to DC Blogs for the mention!! :)

Happy (re)birthday, Barth!

By: Isabel

Once upon a time, Barth lived in a tiny, dirty cage where he was always cold and hungry and could barely stand up straight. But on November 29, 2006, Humane Law Enforcement officer Chris Schindler (pictured below with another lucky rescue) showed up on his door step. So began his new life.

Chris brought Barth to Washington Humane Society, where he met future foster dad Peter Larson (also our Director of Annual Giving), who introduced him to future adopter Anissa Grossman (also one of our board members). [Peter and Anissa are pictured below at our Saks Fifth Avenue event back in September. If the shop-with-your-dog photos look like fun, please join us at the new Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase from 1-4pm on Saturday, December 15!]

Fast forward to the anniversary of his rescue; Barth is one happy dog these days! He enjoyed his Thanksgiving trip to New England and summer vacation at the beach. He even has a gorgeous girlfriend! Happy birthday, Barth! And best wishes for many more joyful years to come!

PS - How cool; November 29 is CS Lewis' birthday too!

They could be twins!

By: Isabel

Top row: meet Little Foot (left) and Shadow (right in picture on right), two 4-month-old all-black kittens who've just been adopted from our New York Avenue and Georgia Avenue shelters, respectively.

Middle row: Fred (left) and Yogurt (right) are the same age too (they're both a year old)! Fred just got adopted from our New York Avenue shelter but Yogurt's still waiting for a home at our Georgia Avenue shelter. He'd love for you to come visit!

Bottom row: Cat Daddy (left) and China Man (right) are, again, the same age (both 10 months old). They were New York Avenue shelter neighbors. Cat Daddy went home with his new people last week, and China Man became my foster kitty just before Thanksgiving.

Neat coincidences, don't you think?

A well mannered Thanksgiving guest

I picked up China Man on Wednesday; Kate (our Foster & Rescue Coordinator) sent him off with his favorite toy. My cats and I will be his temporary hosts until he finds a home.

The minute he stepped out of the carrier, China Man hurried to make himself presentable. He spent ages grooming himself until he was as shiny as a kitten can be.

He next rolled up his sleeves and got to work making biscuits. (Click here for video if you don't see it below.) He might have roasted a turkey, too, if I had one around.

It made me sad when Kate mentioned that he's been losing weight. While he's made lots of friends among shelter staff and volunteers, the month-long beauty contest he's been through has put him under quite a bit of stress.

At almost 11 months old, he hasn't attracted nearly as much attention as his younger cat room neighbors. But seeing him next to my 18-pound mega-cats made me realize he's still a tiny little kitty (he weighs just over 7lb)! Please let me know if you'd like to come by and meet him - or follow his adventures here.

By the way, many, many other cats at both of our shelters have been through the same long wait. Please come visit them! If you are not looking to expand your feline household but have room to host a guest cat, please talk to Kate. Thanks!!

Jane's nine lives (and why Takoma Park is the place to be this Saturday)

This pretty girl is barely a year old, but she's already been through so much in life. She first came through our New York Avenue shelter as a little kitten; I think she was rescued as a stray. Adorable as she is, she quickly found a home - but her person fell ill a few months later, and soon passed away.

I met her when she came back to the shelter in early October; she looked very, very sad - until Tammy, one of our foster program volunteers, came to her rescue. Now she lives with Tammy while she waits for a new home. She loves being carried around in her foster mom's arms, playing with her foster feline siblings, and snuggling up with her catnip banana. (If you'd like to meet Jane, please contact Tammy at tkukla@ncta.com or 703-597-5731.)

I've always admired Tammy and other foster parents within and beyond the Washington Humane Society community for opening their homes to cats and dogs in need. Over the past couple of months, I've kept a close eye on Gitano and Horatio via Flickr as Lisa from Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition nursed them from tiny, sickly kittens into strong, healthy boys. (If you live in New York, I hear they're looking for a home!)

But it was China Man (could he and I be related?) who got me thinking about becoming a foster parent myself. After hanging out with him at the shelter three Thursdays in a row, and checking the adoptable cats list day after day in the hope of seeing that he's been adopted, I couldn't keep watching him reach out of his cage without doing something more to help.

So I filled out a foster application earlier tonight, and I'm looking forward to playing host to this handsome guy - unless he gets adopted before I get back from my pre-Thanksgiving trip. (Please come visit him at our New York Avenue shelter!)

[Pictured above are Lottie and Willamena, members of the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee. They live with foster mom Laurie near Seattle and are looking for homes!]

Anyway... if you've ever considered hosting a cat or dog until he or she finds a permanent home, please join Kate (our Foster/Rescue Coordinator) at our foster program orientation at 2pm this Saturday. It will be held at our soon-to-be animal training headquarters on 7915 Georgia Avenue NW, which is a couple of doors down from our Georgia Avenue shelter and a 5-10 minute walk from the Takoma Park Metro. For more information, please contact Kate at 202-541-6358 or kzapf@washhumane.org. Thank you!