Team Member - Cynthia McKeag

Like many Kitten Rescue foster stories, this one began with a kitty. Not just any kitty though and it began one and a half years before I even heard of Kitten Rescue. I adopted my cat, Dean, from the West LA shelter in September - plucked from a ridiculous pile of over 25 kittens all heading towards 4 months and already showing nasty signs of kitty cough. All the kittens were all ready to go that day and yet it had been over two weeks without a single adoption and the shelter was pressed for space… We all know what that means…

I never intended to adopt a kitten, in fact, I was hoping to rescue an older kitty because of their low chances in the shelter. However, a confident and chill bundle of black and silver fur told me in no uncertain terms that I had better take him home. Now, a little over two years later and I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. Dean couldn't be a more perfect match for me, I like to think he was created just for me.

Now at the same time that I fell head over heels in love with Dean, my roommate - who wanted a kitten - also adopted a silver tabby the same age. For the next year and a half these boys would be inseparable. However, as we knew from the start, it couldn't last forever. My roommate moved out and I knew without a doubt that I needed a friend for Dean asap. My mom suggested fostering and I hopped online and discovered Kitten Rescue.

Dean couldn't be happier (ok, maybe he could be but that may be about to change!) and is a wonderful foster big brother and dad to the kittens. Because he's ok with the changing housemates, I have fallen in love with fostering and Kitten Rescue. So when the chance to do something more for Kitten Rescue came up, I fought my lazier instincts and signed up for the LA Marathon.

What a journey it has been! Marathon training Saturday mornings followed by adoption events all weekend and I'm ready to drop come Monday... Thankfully, I've gotten to know some amazing KR people who help out in unbelievable ways to allow me to show on Saturdays despite having to be late some weeks. While I've faced some medical challenges on this journey, I wouldn't change it for the world. It's pretty amazing to say "I only did 10 miles today" and actually mean that it was a pitifully short distance!

While fundraising has been equally challenging - I'm oddly enjoying every moment of it. As for Dean - well, he may be getting a permanent friend sooner than I planned. And the kitty being considered isn't even one of my fosters!! What can I say, I like to break the mold and shake the system. Will I be doing the marathon again next year? Ask me again when it's over… Will I continue fostering? You better believe it.

To donate to Cynthia's fundraiser page go to www.crowdrise.com/cynthiamckeag

KITTY TALES - Edgar & Poe

"For months I could not rid myself of the phantasm of the cat; and, during this period, there came back into my spirit a half-sentiment that seemed, but was not, remorse. I went so far as to regret the loss of the animal, and to look about me, among the vile haunts which I now habitually frequented, for another pet of the same species, and of somewhat similar appearance, with which to supply its place."
- Edgar Allan Poe, "The Black Cat"

Edgar and Poe were born at West Valley Shelter on August 25, 2011. They lived the first month of their lives in a cage with their mother, Contessa. One day a Kitten Rescue volunteer came to pull another feline family. The shelter workers knew Contessa and her babies were running out of time, and Contessa was beginning to get sick from living at the shelter for so long. Euthanasia was in their immediate future.

The staff asked the Kitten Rescue volunteer to take both families, which she did. They would most certainly have been euthanized because Contessa became extremely ill and took over a month to recover and baby kittens without mothers that are not weaned are immediately euthanized. This lucky family was now safe under the protection of Kitten Rescue.

Edgar and Poe are loving, playful and feisty little guys. They make a wonderful pair and also great companions to other cats and dogs. Their favorite past time is “skiing” on their fostermom’s stack of paperwork! How does one tell them apart? Edgar is pudgier than Poe! Check out their video below.

If you are interested in meeting them please email purrfriend@aol.com

Team Member - Mi Chaing

Life as an animal rescuer is Posh and Poop.

Actually, it’s more poop than posh.  In fact, I think the only thing that’s posh is the annual Furball fundraiser when volunteers show up in clean clothes and a lint roller.  Which, by the way, I scored the volunteer of the year award for 2011…hey, that was 15 years in the making!  Thank you Kitten Rescue J  My husband thinks that award should mark my retirement…HA! 

So how did I my feline journey begin?

It started with a girls’ day out at Topanga Mall.  Kitten Rescue, a small and humble group at the time, was holding an adoption event there.  I was compelled to admire the furry creatures in person.  A woman asked if I was interested in volunteering and damn was she persistent.  She kept calling me to volunteer until I showed up.  On my way to the adoption event I got lost, went to the wrong Petco, and ended up rescuing my first cat.  During my time with Kitten Rescue I’ve taken in my fair share of bottle babies, feral kittens, the old, the abandoned, the sick and the crazy.  I’ve even expanded to fostering dogs from time to time and two of my three dogs were rescued while I was trapping cats in Echo Park.     

Over the years the cats have come and gone, well, most of the cats have gone…but as I tell my husband, it’s not about me stopping fostering; it’s about us getting a bigger place…

As for running the LA Marathon, I enjoy many activities, but running is not one of them.  However, I was inspired by Minoo's run last year, so here I am, training for 2012.  Anything to help homeless cats and dogs is worth the 26.2 miles of agony.  Great thing about training is getting into shape and eating lots of carbs (guilt-free)!  My crowdrise page might confuse some people but I’ve decided to have “Adrienne” on my runner’s bib since most non-rescue friends know me by that name, and I cringe at the thought of spectators butchering my name as I hobble by.  So instead of me…my…mae…or hey you, I’ll stick with yo Adrienne!    

To donate to my fundraiser please go to www.crowdrise.com/catwoman