Growing up on a small farm in Indiana meant I was surrounded by animals my entire childhood. I grew up in a “cat family” and had several kitties in my home along with many goats, chickens, dogs, and other kitties on the farm.

I adopted my first cat “on my own” when I moved to Boston for graduate school. After four years in college without a cat constantly by my side I knew I would immediately adopt a cat when I moved to my new city. And so two days after moving I found myself in a PetSmart picking up my own kitten from a local rescue group. I adopted Pippa in 2013 and we had seven wonderful years together. She was sassy, smart, playful, mischievous, and snuggly-- the full cat package! We eventually moved to D.C. and she charmed every roommate I had into becoming a “cat person.” Early in 2020 the pandemic hit and I began to notice changes in her appetite, mannerisms, and energy. Countless vet visits, dental procedures, and endless drives to vet specialists later, I found out she had a large and aggressive tumor growing in her head. To say it was a devastating diagnosis does not even describe the heartbreak I felt. She was only seven years old and so healthy before this happened-- we had so many years ahead of us that were taken from us with a single diagnosis.

Losing my best fur friend in the midst of a global pandemic was incredibly hard, and for a few months I felt immense grief every day. But each time I visited with friends who had cats I felt a little spark of joy again. I knew I was not ready to adopt yet, but felt that having a cat around would help ease my pain - and so I reached out to Lucky Dog to foster cats. Truly the best decision I could make!

I fostered several cats, each one with a different personality that was so fun to get to know. I even helped one of my best friends adopt one of my fosters! These sweet cats brought so much joy into my home which before had been filled with so much sorrow. I truly think fostering is one of the best ways to ease your pain after the loss of a pet.

(some of my fosters Ollie, Haverty, and Hal (now Addie and Finn!)

Eventually I moved into the role of adoption coordinator with Lucky Dog. I am now a part of an amazing and supportive team of cat adoption coordinators and feel so lucky to have found a volunteering role that makes me happy! Helping save cats from the shelter and find their forever home has been the best way to honor Pippa’s memory. Maybe one day I can help you adopt your future fur baby!

As a fun note, in the spring of 2021 I adopted two shelter kittens of my own, Margot and Milo. Aren’t they the cutest?