Foster Interview with Amanda S

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Cattyshack, Inc, has a lot of people who work and volunteer behind the scenes, so we thought we would take some time to interview some of them. Today’s interview is of Amanda S, a foster and volunteer with Cattyshack, Inc.

Most of the questions are ones that have been asked several times of our fosters.

Amanda S has fostered over twenty-four cats and kittens with Cattyshack starting in 2023. Amanda answered a few questions about fostering and her experiences.

What started you in rescue and fostering?
My husband told me I could not adopt any more kittens (haha), so fostering is how I get my kitten fix.
 
What was your first foster experience like?   
Our first fosters were a litter of three kittens – Archie, Veronica, and Betty, after the Archie comics.  They were so much fun and had the best personalities. We loved getting to know them (former foster “Bad” Betty is still one of our household favorites) and enjoyed watching them interact with our cats.
What is it like to foster?   
It is an amazing feeling to get to know kittens (and cats) and give them a soft place to land for a few weeks or months.   We really enjoy getting to know their little personalities and send them to their forever homes when Cattyshack finds the right home for them.
 
What made you decide to foster with Cattyshack?   
I had been wanting to foster for a while, and saw a post from Cattyshack asking for fosters, so I jumped at the chance. Cattyshack is often looking for fosters, especially in kitten season.
How do you give the fosters up/let them go when they get adopted? 
Some kittens are harder to let go than others, but it is just part of the process. I do LOVE it when I get email updates from adopters and always encourage the adopters to do that.
Anything else you want to tell people about fostering?!
Fostering is such a fulfilling experience, and it is so important to get to help these cats.  Even if you cannot sign up to foster indefinitely, I recommend starting out with a few kittens (or a single cat) and take it from there.  It does not have to be a constant fostering.  I think we have all had to take breaks from fostering, but it makes it so much more rewarding when we are able to foster again.

Are you interested in fostering?
We are always needing committed foster homes! Cattyshack will provide you with food, dewormer, flea meds, eye ointment, flea comb, nail trimmers, new toys, and a carrier or two if you need them. We also schedule (and pay for) all vetting. You just need to purchase a couple new litter boxes and some litter. The rest is easy… just love on theses babies until they find their forever homes!!

Check out this Foster Home Timeline (under “Ways to Help” and click on the link under interested in fostering) for some basic guidelines on what to expect while you have our kitties. We will work with you every step of the way! Our owner is always available by phone, text, email, or Messenger! Once you are approved to foster, please request to friend Tina Rene Cooley on Facebook so she can send you and invitation to join the Cattyshack Crew!

Check out the “Eligibility Requirements” on our “Ways to Help” page.

Meet Ace and look deep into her soulful eyes. You would never know this lady was 15 years old! A good Samaritan was able to save her from being dumped at the shelter. Ace arrived a little thinner than we would like, but Ace is no longer skin and bones and her feedings escalate quickly – with all the growling and inhaling – like she doesn’t know when she’s getting her next meal. She got a clean bill of health after bloodwork and vaccinations from a vet in Tuscaloosa before being transported to Huntsville. Can you help us find Ace a home where she can play and never miss a meal again?

What Plants Should You Avoid Around Cats

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There are a plethora of plants that are toxic for cats, and there are a lot of plants that are fine to have around your pets. As winter turns into spring, some of us might want to bring plants inside, or might want to start planting things to grow. I love starting to garden when the seasons change, but I stick to mostly fruits and vegetables. However, I am a fan of the tulip, and unfortunately, tulips are one flower that is toxic to cats.

List of toxic plants (this is not a complete list, but a beginning of popular plants):
Lily
Oleander
Amaryllis
Daffodil
Aloe
English Ivy
Peace Lily
Foxglove
Apple
Apricot
Yucca
Birds of Paradise
Parsley
Peony

A few Non-toxic plants:
Patient Lucy
Wax Plant
Sage
Venus Fly Trap
Magnolia Bush
Baby’s Breath
Basil
Pearl Plant
Lace Orchid

One of the best places to find a list of toxic and non-toxic plants is by looking at the ASPCA website (linked below). You always want to check before bringing a plant inside or before planting something somewhere that your cats will be. So, bookmark the ASPCA’s website and you can always look up a plant before bring it, or the seeds, home.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants