Chairman of the Board
We went to the 500th adoption event at the cat cafe last night. We had debated whether or not to, but we were glad we did.
When we were en route, Madison (the second in command of the rescue) called the Sparrow asking if we were available next Saturday to help unload a large pet food haul they were picking up. Unfortunately, we are getting together with the Sicilian that day and I really don't want to cancel on him. We asked if it'd be possible to hold onto the stuff till Sunday morning, and we'd be glad to help. Not sure if that is what is going to happen or not.
It was interesting to be there after hours. They do all their adoptions, drop offs of new cats and vaccinations of foster cats after hours on Sundays. So we got to see somewhat how the process all works. I started talking to this couple who were adopting these two cats that came to the cafe after their owner passed away. We'd visited a few weeks ago and I loved the one. Sadly, they are both front declawed. The couple seemed very nice and excited and I am sure those cats will be happy there. I guess they had a cat that had passed away awhile ago and they felt enough time had passed to finally adopt.
They were asking me all kinds of questions about the cafe, about what to do when they get the cats home. I think they thought I was somehow associated with the cafe, and then they seemed even more inquisitive and interested in my opinion on things once I explained to them the whole foster program and how we were only linked to the rescue through that.
There was a woman, her husband and their kid who brought a cage of six cats in and three were going into the cafe that night to replace ones that had just been adopted. The woman was crying her eyes out about it. There was also a woman there with two black cats that was at the outside event last month. She was near tears too as two of her three fosters were being adopted last night as well. Perhaps a preview of what is to come as we will eventually be in that position. I do wish we could find someone we know to adopt them, as it would put us more at ease about their future life.
The woman with the two black cats said she wasn't sure she'd foster again because of the emotional aspect of it. Which is sad because it seems the rescue desperately needs more fosters. I guess they currently have several cats that are "one cat only" adoptions, and they don't want to be around other cats. So the fosters either only have the one cat or the cats have to be separated and locked in rooms, which is stressful for the fosters. I am stressed about ours being alone together in the luxury garage.
The cake they had was so sweet it was almost too much to eat. As the folks filed out the owner of the cafe invited us into the cat room to spend some time with the cats in there, which was cool. In a very short time we have found ourselves immersed into this whole cafe/shelter world.
The head of the rescue told the Sparrow and I both she wanted to talk to use before we left. Eventually she came into the cat room and started talking to us about our involvement in the rescue and asked if we wanted to join "the board". I was a bit taken aback by this, as she's only met us twice. Though Madison has interacted with us several times and I think they were both impressed with our level of motivation and assistance with the outside event. I have a feeling she is the one who really sold us.
The Sparrow had inquired about taking over the rescue's Instagram account, as it was virtually unused and he thinks he can really get movement on it for the rescue. He wrote down all kinds of notes about it which he had intended to bring next week. The subject of their Facebook page also came up, and I said I'd be willing to give it a shot running that and seeing if I could garner more interest. She said that she is almost 70 and she is looking to get fresh ideas and maybe take some of the burden off herself. Madison had also made comments earlier about wanting to ease up a bit as it seems the two of them usually carry the bulk of the fosters, on top of running the organization, getting the food and medication, making the appointments. It is a lot, and I am shocked that Madison has a day job as a dental assistant as well.
My only hesitation... well, one of my hesitations is about us helping out at events and working tents at street fairs and stuff. When it comes to that sort of thing, I really don't want to be involved with money. I am not good with doing even simple math under pressure and have memories of a trauma in grade school where I was forced to work some school thing involving taking money. I am more of a word man, and math I can only handle in calm, quiet environments. Not when there's the pressure of a customer standing there wanting change.
She said they are looking for other fresh ideas on things. Ideas for raffles and events and what not. It is funny because a week ago I was talking to the Sparrow about how fun it would be to host some kind of Jeep event at the Cat Cafe, but we aren't part of any Jeep clubs in the area. I suppose this is the kind of situation where you become involved and ask around.
I do have hesitation also about just how much involvement there would be. We want to help, clearly. This seems like more than a coincidental situation to happen. But, we have so many responsibilities and desires at home that are often ignored or pushed off. Outside projects, inside ones... is this just something else to do to distract us from those? I just don't know. I think we are both just unsatisfied with our jobs and this seems like a worthwhile thing to do on the side.
I know for me, I have a way with animals and I understand cats more than the average person (if I do say so myself). My cats have all been personable, friendly animals. Even Dr. Skirt, who was a true feral, still has her personable moments where she eagerly wants my attention and affection. She knew to come to me right before she gave birth.
I think the two kittens we are fostering are very personable. They love people and desperately want to be around them. I am excited to foster other cats once these two find a home.
Though there too is another issue. The back garage really needs to be reworked to accommodate the animals and the plants. Especially if this is going to be a longterm thing. Building that wall unit I was thinking about to house the plants will take time and money and focus on our part. When will that get done?
And what of our own pets. One of my issues for years with my sister was that she'd spend all this time and energy volunteering at the animal shelter by her, instead of spending time with her animals. She'd work all day, go to the shelter and often time have my mom over there letting the dogs out because she'd be gone for 14 hours a day. That to me is irresponsible. I don't think we'd ever be like that, but it is a worry. If you can't function in your own life, I find certain kinds of charity to be questionable. If you neglect your own pets to volunteer for a shelter, it seems counterproductive.
I am interested to see where this goes. At the very least I'd be willing to give it a chance. The idea of running the Facebook portion of things, or even seeing if I can revamp their website sounds like fun. As long as it doesn't become a burden. I fuck around a lot when I am supposed to be working, I can't just assume I'll always be able to do so.
We shall see what comes of this next weekend at the thank you party for the folks who worked at the outdoor event.
On a funny side note, we had had some concerns about politics in all this. There is the association with liberal women and cats after all. And we've experienced firsthand the hatred and discrimination of liberals against conservatives... especially gay Trump supporters. When Madison came to the house a couple months ago, the Trump flags were out and she did not react, which to us meant she was not a liberal. As I've said, liberals CANNOT help themselves but express their un-asked for opinions. In fact, that was the day she declared that she "loved" working with us because we were so easy going.
Then yesterday when the Sparrow was sitting next to the head of the organization he said he was 99% sure he saw the icon for the Truth Social app on her phone. I had a funny thought that maybe they are so interested in our help and input because they *DO* know we are Trump supports and therefore not the unhinged crazy cat ladies or queers they are used to dealing with. I think there's a fair chance that is part of why they are interested in us coming in board.
When we were en route, Madison (the second in command of the rescue) called the Sparrow asking if we were available next Saturday to help unload a large pet food haul they were picking up. Unfortunately, we are getting together with the Sicilian that day and I really don't want to cancel on him. We asked if it'd be possible to hold onto the stuff till Sunday morning, and we'd be glad to help. Not sure if that is what is going to happen or not.
It was interesting to be there after hours. They do all their adoptions, drop offs of new cats and vaccinations of foster cats after hours on Sundays. So we got to see somewhat how the process all works. I started talking to this couple who were adopting these two cats that came to the cafe after their owner passed away. We'd visited a few weeks ago and I loved the one. Sadly, they are both front declawed. The couple seemed very nice and excited and I am sure those cats will be happy there. I guess they had a cat that had passed away awhile ago and they felt enough time had passed to finally adopt.
They were asking me all kinds of questions about the cafe, about what to do when they get the cats home. I think they thought I was somehow associated with the cafe, and then they seemed even more inquisitive and interested in my opinion on things once I explained to them the whole foster program and how we were only linked to the rescue through that.
There was a woman, her husband and their kid who brought a cage of six cats in and three were going into the cafe that night to replace ones that had just been adopted. The woman was crying her eyes out about it. There was also a woman there with two black cats that was at the outside event last month. She was near tears too as two of her three fosters were being adopted last night as well. Perhaps a preview of what is to come as we will eventually be in that position. I do wish we could find someone we know to adopt them, as it would put us more at ease about their future life.
The woman with the two black cats said she wasn't sure she'd foster again because of the emotional aspect of it. Which is sad because it seems the rescue desperately needs more fosters. I guess they currently have several cats that are "one cat only" adoptions, and they don't want to be around other cats. So the fosters either only have the one cat or the cats have to be separated and locked in rooms, which is stressful for the fosters. I am stressed about ours being alone together in the luxury garage.
The cake they had was so sweet it was almost too much to eat. As the folks filed out the owner of the cafe invited us into the cat room to spend some time with the cats in there, which was cool. In a very short time we have found ourselves immersed into this whole cafe/shelter world.
The head of the rescue told the Sparrow and I both she wanted to talk to use before we left. Eventually she came into the cat room and started talking to us about our involvement in the rescue and asked if we wanted to join "the board". I was a bit taken aback by this, as she's only met us twice. Though Madison has interacted with us several times and I think they were both impressed with our level of motivation and assistance with the outside event. I have a feeling she is the one who really sold us.
The Sparrow had inquired about taking over the rescue's Instagram account, as it was virtually unused and he thinks he can really get movement on it for the rescue. He wrote down all kinds of notes about it which he had intended to bring next week. The subject of their Facebook page also came up, and I said I'd be willing to give it a shot running that and seeing if I could garner more interest. She said that she is almost 70 and she is looking to get fresh ideas and maybe take some of the burden off herself. Madison had also made comments earlier about wanting to ease up a bit as it seems the two of them usually carry the bulk of the fosters, on top of running the organization, getting the food and medication, making the appointments. It is a lot, and I am shocked that Madison has a day job as a dental assistant as well.
My only hesitation... well, one of my hesitations is about us helping out at events and working tents at street fairs and stuff. When it comes to that sort of thing, I really don't want to be involved with money. I am not good with doing even simple math under pressure and have memories of a trauma in grade school where I was forced to work some school thing involving taking money. I am more of a word man, and math I can only handle in calm, quiet environments. Not when there's the pressure of a customer standing there wanting change.
She said they are looking for other fresh ideas on things. Ideas for raffles and events and what not. It is funny because a week ago I was talking to the Sparrow about how fun it would be to host some kind of Jeep event at the Cat Cafe, but we aren't part of any Jeep clubs in the area. I suppose this is the kind of situation where you become involved and ask around.
I do have hesitation also about just how much involvement there would be. We want to help, clearly. This seems like more than a coincidental situation to happen. But, we have so many responsibilities and desires at home that are often ignored or pushed off. Outside projects, inside ones... is this just something else to do to distract us from those? I just don't know. I think we are both just unsatisfied with our jobs and this seems like a worthwhile thing to do on the side.
I know for me, I have a way with animals and I understand cats more than the average person (if I do say so myself). My cats have all been personable, friendly animals. Even Dr. Skirt, who was a true feral, still has her personable moments where she eagerly wants my attention and affection. She knew to come to me right before she gave birth.
I think the two kittens we are fostering are very personable. They love people and desperately want to be around them. I am excited to foster other cats once these two find a home.
Though there too is another issue. The back garage really needs to be reworked to accommodate the animals and the plants. Especially if this is going to be a longterm thing. Building that wall unit I was thinking about to house the plants will take time and money and focus on our part. When will that get done?
And what of our own pets. One of my issues for years with my sister was that she'd spend all this time and energy volunteering at the animal shelter by her, instead of spending time with her animals. She'd work all day, go to the shelter and often time have my mom over there letting the dogs out because she'd be gone for 14 hours a day. That to me is irresponsible. I don't think we'd ever be like that, but it is a worry. If you can't function in your own life, I find certain kinds of charity to be questionable. If you neglect your own pets to volunteer for a shelter, it seems counterproductive.
I am interested to see where this goes. At the very least I'd be willing to give it a chance. The idea of running the Facebook portion of things, or even seeing if I can revamp their website sounds like fun. As long as it doesn't become a burden. I fuck around a lot when I am supposed to be working, I can't just assume I'll always be able to do so.
We shall see what comes of this next weekend at the thank you party for the folks who worked at the outdoor event.
On a funny side note, we had had some concerns about politics in all this. There is the association with liberal women and cats after all. And we've experienced firsthand the hatred and discrimination of liberals against conservatives... especially gay Trump supporters. When Madison came to the house a couple months ago, the Trump flags were out and she did not react, which to us meant she was not a liberal. As I've said, liberals CANNOT help themselves but express their un-asked for opinions. In fact, that was the day she declared that she "loved" working with us because we were so easy going.
Then yesterday when the Sparrow was sitting next to the head of the organization he said he was 99% sure he saw the icon for the Truth Social app on her phone. I had a funny thought that maybe they are so interested in our help and input because they *DO* know we are Trump supports and therefore not the unhinged crazy cat ladies or queers they are used to dealing with. I think there's a fair chance that is part of why they are interested in us coming in board.