Helping cats find purrfect homes

Rachel Turner couldn't forget the fat, white cat. Hours after she left Petco in West Manchester Township, Turner kept picturing the cat's green eyes, staring at her from behind the other side of the cage.

It was Mother's Day 2014, and the Jacobus woman knew what she wanted, she told her husband. She wanted the fat cat named Befuddles.

The 20-pound feline was placed in the pet store by Heavenly Paws Animal Shelter, Inc., a York County organization made up of volunteers who foster cats and help them find new homes. Ann Behrendt, president of the organization, took Befuddles to Turner's home for a visit. But instead of just getting a cat, Turner found herself swept up in the world of pet fostering and adoption.

During the visit, Behrendt told Turner all about the organization, which has been saving York County cats since 2004. Turner, who has always had a house full of animals, thought Befuddles might need some company. Fostering seemed like the perfect way to give him some feline companionship.

Nearly two years later, Turner can’t seem to get enough of the cats who are in need of the services Heavenly Paws provides.

The organization has about eight foster homes throughout the county and houses cats in four pet stores in hopes that they can find "forever homes." About 70 volunteers help with a range of activities, from hosting outreach events, fostering cats and visiting animals in the pet stores.

Foster parents don’t pay anything to take in a cat, thanks to donations that help pay for food, supplies and veterinary care. In most cases, the cats find a new home in about three months.

“We couldn’t exist without our volunteers,” Behrendt said. “Every cat’s life is saved because someone gave their time. It can be draining — physically and emotionally — to take in these sick cats or abandoned kittens. But when people realize that they’re making a difference, they tend to get hooked.”

Winter is an especially busy time for Heavenly Paws because colder temperatures lead to frost bite or a lack of food for stray cats.

Volunteer Kristin Garber of West Manchester Township remembers taking in a cat with a broken leg, where the bone stuck out of the flesh, she said. After the leg was amputated and the cat was one of the most rewarding things Garber said she’s done.

“Without someone to help them, a lot of these cats will be put down,” Garber said. “I can’t let that happen. If I can do one thing to help them, I’ll do it.”

For about three years, Garber has volunteered at events and handles the bookkeeping for the organization. It wasn’t until earlier this year that she started fostering cats. She’s helped 10 cats find loving homes and spends a lot of her free time chasing the seven kittens waiting to build up their strength until they, too, can move on.

With a full-time job, while pursing more education, Garber sometimes has to limit how much she can volunteer. But fostering makes it easy to still help without committing too much time out of the house, she said.

For Turner, spending Tuesday mornings at Pet Valu in Shrewsbury helps her forget about life's troubles. Battling Crohn’s disease and caring for a special needs son sometimes leaves the volunteer wondering how she’ll find the time to help an animal in need.

“Once I get in the door at the pet store, and I see how much those cats benefit from some play time or a loving touch, it’s like I forget about everything else,” she said. “They help me more than I help them. I don’t regret a single moment that I can give to these creatures.”

How to help

Heavenly Paws Animal Shelter Inc. runs foster homes throughout York County and has pets available for adoption at four pet stores. Volunteers are needed to help spread the news about Heavenly Paws at community events. Volunteers also can help as foster parents or by visiting pet stores to clean cages and play with adoptable cats. The organization also needs donations of cat food, kitty litter, cat beds and toys. A wish list is available online. For more information, visit heavenlypaws.wordpress.com or email Tasha at tasha@heavenlypawsshelter.com.