It had always been a life long dream of mine to become an animal foster mom. As soon as I became settled into my new home this summer, I couldn't apply fast enough.

It took 7 kittens before I encountered my first foster fail. Miss Salem entered the shelter as an orphaned kitten with a ruptured knee. I jumped at the chance to foster her and picked her up soon after her amputation. I had no idea what to expect with an amputee kitten. After a few tweaks to her environment and a plethora of falls, failed jumps, and frustrated meows she functions like any other young cat.  

My 14 year old rescued black lab became her mentor and best friend. (He would disagree but I have many photos of them cuddled in a corner to back up their friendship) Since she was orphaned and didn't spend time around other cats she picked up a lot of dog habits and decided she was dog. She meows, begs, lays, eats, guards the house, like a dog. 

EHS asked if she was ready to go up for adoption but after months of watching her grow and adjust I knew I couldn't let her go. I recently officially adopted Salem. I had been thinking about getting her a friend to teach her how to cat in a way only a cat can. 

Hilary was reccomended to me as one of a few fits they felt would be best for a sibling to Salem. I met Hilary when I signed the adoption papers for Salem and 24 hours later and I had been approved and officially adopted her (she is now named Nory). 

I was a bit nervous about meshing the needs of two special kittens. I had all sorts of thoughts. Would the cats get along? Would Nory be able to navigate my house with her limited sight? Would she be too nervous and unable to adjust after spending her life in the shelter? Would I have to move everything to ground level so she could see it? A million more thoughts entered my head but I knew in my heart she was going to make our home complete and everything else would fall into place. 

Nory was born in the shelter and her siblings and mother had been long adopted. I adopted her 2 weeks before her first birthday and she had a birthday fit for a queen. (The feathers i used as confetti and balloons were her favorite. Salem ate her custom kitty friendly cake for her) 

 

She has adjusted seamlessly. I was so worried about the sight aspect that I didn't fully consider that everything was new to her. Having free reign of a house, kids, counter exploring, stealing bites of food, computers, bath tubs (she learned that one the hard way), hair dryers, vacuums, how to cuddle; everything was/is new to her. She has the instincts and mannerisms of a young cat but as she fearlessly explores the world around her she approaches it with the wonder and whimsy of a kitten. 

Salem and Nory play, cuddle, explore, and scheme as if they came from the same litter.

The neighborhood children created a fan club for my quirky kittens and regularly visit them and ask questions to learn about their ability to navigate their life. People are constantly mystified that they live such normal kitten lives. Besides the physical obviousness of their limitations you wouldn't be able to tell that they have disabilities. 

Adopting and fostering any animal is an absolute joy and a privilege in my eyes. However, there's something about adopting and fostering animals that have a disability. Watching them fearlessly attack each day with vigor, determination, and wonder sparks something in you that is hard to put into words. The growth and  milestones that come with their special needs from problem solving are incredible to watch and be apart of. It fiils you with a fierce determination, will, love, optimism, and pride that only comes from experiencing the magic of saving an animal and having them save you too. 

The thought of adopting an animal with disabilities can be scary and intimidating but I promise you won't regret it. I have an endless amount of gratitude for the Estevan Humane Society and the staff for the support, knowledge, and opportunity they have provided through my foster experience. If fostering has always been a dream of yours too, take my words as your sign to start your journey to joy too.