Many present a regal look, but who can resist a cuddly ball of fur with a sweet lovable face.
Kittens chase anything that moves and will jump and play for hours. As they mature, some love to lap-sit and snuggle. Others find a window seat to be the best place in the house.
A cat owner for years, I remember getting that "I don't care look" as I headed to work early in the day but my Charlie stood just inside the door and purring when I returned each evening.
Furry felines make loving companions to both young and old. Fresh water and food, a clean litter pan and an occasional visit to the vet is just about all that's needed. Plus, of course, all the love one can give. All in all, they make wonderful pets.
Unfortunately, so many cats and kittens are running free. Starving, flea infested, frightened, traumatized, and often suffering from injuries. Whatever food they find by searching through trash and drinking water from puddles along the streets is their daily diet.
For more than 10 years, FosterCat, Inc. has done its best to change this environment. By providing temporary care and permanent placement, homeless kittens and cats learn quickly how comfortable life can be with regular meals and shelter.
Through its network of 25 foster homes, FosterCat has place more than 1,020 in caring homes. Volunteers invest love and effort into each cat's physical and emotional recovery.
To benefit the ongoing efforts of FosterCat, Inc., a spaghetti dinner is planned 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Scott Township.
Choose from meat or meatless sauce. Salad, rolls, beverage and dessert complete the menu. Restaurant gift certificates, zoo passes and salon services are offered in the Chinese auction basket raffle. Cat toys, handcrafted jewelry, FosterCat T-shirts and sweatshirts, candy and 50/50 raffle will be available for purchase.
Jim Kozlowski (The Big Bopper of Green Tree) will spin tunes.
Dinner tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for ages 12 and under. To purchase tickets, call Carolyn Kozlowski at 412-531-4776.
Out of town or working on spaghetti day? Donations to benefit FosterCat's endeavors can be mailed to FosterCat, Inc. P.0. Box 23414, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Fostering:
n Allows cats to get off the streets and live in a home environment with its typical sights, sounds and smells rather than being confined to a shelter cage.
n Helps shy cats to socialize.
n Provides short-term companion cats for senior citizens.
Punkin is a 7-year-old orange tabby that was adopted as a kitten but returned to FosterCat when her owner developed Alzheimer's disease. She has a pleasant personality and gets along fine with other cats.
Foster mom Lois Wray hopes that 2-year-old Allie, a very sweet brown tabby finds a loving home. Black and white Bart also needs a caring family.
"I've enjoyed my association with FosterCat," said Lois. "A friend noticed a FosterCat billboard a while back. I called for an application and have been fostering ever since."
"I always thought of fostering," said Kellie Gormly, who loves being a foster mom.
"About 3 years ago I bought a house. I had been going through a rough time and opening my home to kittens became my reward. They brightened my days. Anyone with a heart should feel good about helping a person or animal. Life is so precious."