I had only volunteered at GAAR for a few months before I found out I could foster a cat. I had never owned a cat in my life but was ecstatic to have the chance to short term foster one. I saved up money and spent it all on different toys, food, and litter. I even spent hours "cat-proofing" my bedroom. That really meant taping unstable cardboard all around the spaces under my bed. Little did I know, those barriers would not stop any cat from going where it wanted.

It took me some time to get used to scooping the litter everyday, always having a cat trying to eat my food, hearing a lot of meows, and getting cat hair everywhere. The good definitely outweighs the bad. The love these cats have given me over the past year I have been fostering, has been priceless. It has taught me so much responsibility. After I have had a long day, all I want to do is curl up in bed with my cats. I have gotten so used to the sound of purring, that when I don't hear it I have trouble falling asleep. I love to just sit around and observe the different behaviors each different cat has. Cats know how to make me feel better.

There is one downside though: giving them back! Although we might want to, no foster can keep all the cats. The first few times I had to return my fosters were the hardest. And I still have my favorites, but I really do love them all. Every time I have to give a cat back I feel like a piece of my heart is taken too. But then I get a new one, which doesn't replace the old one it just brings more completeness into my heart again. The only way to calm myself down when I have to bring a cat back is to realize how much I have made a difference in these cats lives. One of my favorite things, is volunteering at the Saturday adoptions and being able to see which cats go to which homes, which I find very rewarding. I would do anything for these cats and my life would be so empty without them. Sometimes I feel like I need the cats more than they need me. They are my best friends and I can not thank GAAR enough, for letting me help save these wonderful cats.
I also want to thank them for having such amazing volunteers who I consider are part of one big family. Thank you so much GAAR you have made my life have meaning.