2 minute read
Fostering Saves Senior Sisters
In early March, as the coronavirus pandemic was taking hold in Washington, a bonded pair of 17-year-old cats named Laverne and Shirley arrived at PAWS from an overcrowded, out-of-state shelter. “With our successful track record of adopting bonded senior dogs and cats, we knew Laverne and Shirley stood a good chance of finding a loving family at PAWS,” says Lisa Hockins, Shelter Operations Manager.
When the senior sisters arrived, PAWS was implementing new procedures to protect the health and safety of staff and the public, including an appointment-only adoption system and a mandate that all volunteers stay home.
That’s when a perfect storm of need and generosity intersected. Laverne and Shirley required the kind of extra attention typically provided by onsite volunteers, and they weren’t alone. Spring baby season was starting, which meant the arrival of kittens, puppies, and moms with litters.
The call went out to foster families. Though many offered to help, PAWS still needed more. PAWS CEO Heidi Wills sent a letter to supporters asking for foster families. The response was more than anyone expected— hundreds of applications from community members who were stuck at home and wanting to help.
In the meantime, a veteran PAWS foster parent readily agreed to house Laverne and Shirley. The search was on for an adoptive family that could keep the sisters together. After two months in foster, that search came to a happy end.
Robin and Mickey Balderas knew they wanted to provide a home to a pair of senior cats. After spotting Laverne and Shirley on the PAWS website, they completed an application and scheduled an adoption appointment. Happily, it was love at first sight and soon the furry duo was on their way to the Balderas’ home to start their new lives.
“All pets deserve loving homes and we’ll treasure whatever time we have with these cats, however long it is,” says Mickey.
Though Robin and Mickey receive praise for adopting older cats, they consider themselves the lucky ones. Without the PAWS foster program to keep Laverne and Shirley safe and happy until their family found them, this older pair might never have had the chance to be spoiled with cat trees, heated beds, and lots of love.
“Many thanks to PAWS for being open during the pandemic,” says Mickey. “Laverne and Shirley have really been a blessing for our home.”
Shirley appreciates a good hiding spot in her new home.
Special thanks to the generous people who volunteered to become foster families during this challenging time at PAWS.
