By Darlena March
I’d like to introduce you to Baby Bear, our first guest in the Pet Foster initiative. Pet Fostering provides volunteers to care for the pets of our guest families while they are working with Family Promise towards sustainable independence. Baby Bear is a sweet kitty who joined us a few weeks ago.
Getting Settled
We are grateful for the support from All Paws Pet Center! As soon as they heard Baby Bear needed foster help, they donated wet and dry food and a water/food bowl to help Baby Bear get settled in his new temporary home.
Thanks to Northrock Animal Hospital, and especially Dr. Michelle Rypma, Baby Bear has received very loving and generous veterinary care. I took him first for his initial checkup and routine shots. After a couple of weeks, Baby Bear seemed to be struggling with the new environment away from his family, so we returned for advice on how to help him through this difficult transition.
One particular tip Dr. Rypma offered and provided was a plug-in Feliway diffuser. This diffuser is used to help keep cats calm and relaxed during times of stress. After a couple of weeks with the diffuser, Baby Bear is doing so much better!! He now enjoys playing and interacting with us and doesn’t hesitate to ask for attention by purring, chirping, and even rolling on his back across the computer keyboard as we try to type!
We routinely spend time at the Day House on Saturday afternoons so Baby Bear can visit his family. They enjoy the chance to see him and hold him close – it is clear that Baby Bear is very loved. We all hold back tears when it’s time to pack him in the car and say, “See you next weekend.” I am humbled and honored to love and care for Baby Bear while his family does the hard work of getting back on their feet.
You can Help!
You can also provide valuable support to a family in a homeless circumstance. If you would like to sign up as a Pet Foster, you can find more details here.
If you are interested in helping with Baby Bear’s needs, here are a few urgent items he could use. These can be dropped off at the Day House.
- A refill for his Feliway diffuser: Constant Calming & Comfort at Home refill.
- A bag of Meow Mix: Bistro Recipes – Rotisserie Chicken flavor.
- Two jugs of Tidy Cats litter: 1 for his foster home & 1 for Day Center visits.
- Any kind of chicken flavored kitty treats – chicken is his favorite!
