West Australian photographer Kate and her husband thought animal fostering would be the perfect way to indulge their love of animals whilst deciding on their long-term living arrangements. They just hadn’t reckoned on the charm offensive about to be unleashed on them by one very sassy, jewel-eyed aristo cat called Lady.
"We realised that we shared a strong love of animals, and decided to get involved with a shelter. I first heard of PetRescue when I was volunteering with Pets Haven Animal Shelter in Woodend. I used to take photos for them to help with adoptions, and because of PetRescue these photos were seen by a much larger audience of potential adopters.”
Kate originally decided to foster Lady after seeing her on PetRescue and at the shelter. "Lady knew what her best asset was, and she really worked it! She had huge green eyes, they looked oversized for her head, but they were just stunning. She was such a relaxed cat too. She just hung out all day in the cat pen in the shelter, no trouble to anyone."
After spending some time with Lady at the shelter, Kate applied to foster her. Once approved, all Lady had to do was to slink through Kate's door and the rest would be history.
“We took her home with the idea that she would stay with us for a month or so, to give her a break from the shelter. Then we would take her back and take on another foster cat. But things didn’t quite go to plan. Our lovely Lady wrapped her furry brown paws around our hearts.”
In fact, Lady set about seducing the entire household. “The moment Lady entered the house, she made it her home. She instantly hit it off with our other cat, Brucey (also a foster fail) who didn’t always like other cats. We were surprised and delighted to see them playing! Lady also took the opportunity to enjoy her new space and did crazy 'zoomies' around the house. It was hilarious!
Nose bumps and smooches were Lady’s main method of attack. Resistance was futile.
“Lady is very smoochy and, if allowed, will rub her whole face on your face for up to ten minutes at a time. She even tries to smooch our dog, and especially loves to smooch me when I am working at the computer. It’s so funny, I've even filmed it. It’s hard to get any work done when you’re being smooched!”
She also knows exactly what to do when her humans need a little fur therapy. “She is so good with stress relief. There have been times when I have been sick or sad and Lady has sought me out, curled up on my lap or smooched me. She is such a wonderful girl who always knows when I need her!”
In her own way, Lady helped Kate and her husband discover a revelation about pet ownership. “What I quickly learned was that when you love someone you just make your life work with them in it. Since adopting Lady, we've even moved interstate and brought the cats with us (of course). A world without Lady is unimaginable. She’s made our family complete."
So, for all those animal lovers out there who feel a little hesitant, Kate recommends you just set your reservations aside and take the plunge. “Adopt! If you can’t adopt, foster! Don’t live your life without a pet if you want one. They make life so much better and, by adopting, you make theirs better too.”
Help other rescue cats like Lady by donating to our cause. Just $10 helps us match one of our pets with their new family!