When you know, you know. That was the situation for a Maryland couple that intended to foster a nine-year old ginger cat. But they took one look at the adorable boy and knew he was a foster fail. After some TLC, the gorgeous boy joined their home as a permanent resident.
13. Dan and Hannah
Dan and Hannah are feline-lovers who have fur cats of their own. They also volunteer to foster. The couple works with Chesapeake Cats and Dogs, a rescue in Maryland that helps dogs and cats find permanent homes. One day they got a call about an older cat that needed to be placed with a foster. Little did they know the cat would change their lives.
12. Nine Years and Surrendered
The cat’s story started as a sad one. His owner surrendered him to the shelter. “I took the afternoon off work and drove an hour to get him,” Dan said. Noting the cat’s shyness, Dan realized, “Obviously, he had been neglected. He let out a meow that sounded like ‘no’ when he was to be put in the cat carrier for me to bring him home.”
11. Experienced Foster Dad
Dan knew a lot about fostering cats, so he talked to the orange kitty about his fears. “I told him I was going to get him all better and all cleaned up. I pet him as best as I could through the cat carrier bars,” Dan said. He talked to the boy the entire ride home.
10. Special Guest
Hannah and Dan did not spare any expense for the foster. They set up his very own guest suite where he could get some R&R away from the other cats. He has long, luxurious orange fur and they gave him a good brushing. He absolutely loved the attention.
9. Hours of Love
The couple knew the cat had some nagging health problems, so they tended to him with pain meds and love. “We would spend as much time as possible brushing and petting him the first few hours. We got him calm enough to remove his fur mats and get his fur smooth.”
8. Huggs
In fact, the cat adored brushing so much that after one session, he gave the human a giant bear hug and wouldn’t let go. That’s when Hannah and Dan knew his name should be Huggs. Oh and there was one more thing that was on their minds.
7. Foster Fail
The couple agreed that once Huggs had given them hugs, he had to be their cat for good. “I pulled him as a foster and knew the minute I met him that I was keeping him,” Dan said. Although Huggs had a few health problems, they knew he belonged with them and they would treat him right.
6. Survivor
“He had a full tooth extraction shortly after we got him, and has been doing great since. He’s got some chronic issues, but plays with the other cats, eats well, and is generally happy,” Dan said. Huggs is now pain-free and loves to demand pets and loves.
5. Baby Bjorn
Huggs is so loving and attached to his new family that they bought a baby Bjorn for Huggs. This way he could go everywhere with them and snuggle all he wanted. “When I come home from work at night he literally walks up to me at the door and puts his paws up on me, asking to be picked up,” Dan said.
4. Love Muffin
“I’ll then walk around the house with him purring like crazy and rubbing against my chin. He sleeps on the bed with us too, and will wake you up by purring in your ear.” Now that a few months have gone by, Huggs has shown no signs of letting up on his love-fest.
3. A Happy Boy
Huggs his happy and healthy. “His scabs and signs of fleas are all gone, he gets along with the other cats, and his health is good and stable.” It just goes to show how much some TLC can improve the outlook for humans and pets alike.
2. Family of Five Cats
Hannah and Dan are delighted with their new family of seven. Their brood includes five cats. They already had four rescue cats. Despite the myth that cats all like to be solitary, this group truly enjoys being together.
1. Taking a Chance
One look at Huggs embracing Dan and Hannah should convince you to take a chance on fostering. Most fosters just need a temporary place to rest while they wait for adoption, but sometimes a cat or dog appears that you just can’t let go. Huggs now knows he is truly wanted, all because his family took a chance on fostering.