volunteer

When you foster a cat for Helping Persian Cats, you are saving a life - it’s that simple!

Here is why:

Sadly, most Southern California animal control shelters (“the pounds”) are considered high kill, particularly when it comes to our feline friends. Even breed cats, such as Persians, Himalayans, exotic Shorthairs, Scottish folds and others, are at risk.

Part of the reason the risk is so high is that oftentimes, these cats do not “show” well when they are living in cages at animal control shelters. Imagine how they must feel, being uprooted from their homes and caged 24/7, around other cats they don’t even know, and oftentimes, with the sound of loud barking dogs in the background! And the people who loved them are nowhere to be found! This is extremely stressful for the cats, and oftentimes, this translates into shy behavior or even cage aggression!

Other times, the stressful conditions cause these beautiful cats to become ill with upper respiratory infections or other maladies while in cages at the animal control shelters. If the cats are lucky enough to be in an animal control shelter that will follow the law and treat them medically, the sick cat “may” be given a chance to return to health and find an adopter.

But all too often, a sick cat is seen by the animal control shelters as an inconvenience and a risk to all other cats. Instead of receiving simple antibiotics and being moved to an isolation room, the sick cats are euthanized.

That is why we need your help!

With your help, we can save more lives of the cats in need, so they can start leading the lives they always should have enjoyed.
All of our rescued cats receive immediate vet exams, updates on their vaccinations, testing for feline leukemia and feline aids, spay/neuter surgery, deworming and defleaing.

All of this happens BEFORE the cat is placed in foster care. This is possible because the vet hospital we use, Beverly Oaks Animal Hospital, is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. No matter what time of the day a cat is rescued from an animal control shelter, the cat is immediately transported to the vet. This is all taken care of before the cat goes to the loving foster home.

As a foster home, the love and attention you give to these cats is so vitally important! Many of these cats are traumatized by their experiences, and need your love and care so they can learn to trust people again. As a foster, your close relationship with the cat will provide us with the most accurate assessment of the cat’s personality, and gives valuable guidance in determining whether the cat will be a good fit for the person who wishes to adopt.
Foster homes are a crucial element in allowing Helping Persian Cats to rescue, rehabilitate and place cats with adopters.

You too can save a life, and give cats new hope and happy new lives!

If you’re interested in joining us in our mission to save more lives, please contact Venita at helpingpersians@hotmail.com