“To foster an animal is a great gift and act of kindness. The animals hold a special place in your heart, and you make a world of difference in their lives.”
Since October 2022, Patti Parisian has been saving lives. She likely wouldn’t describe herself that way, but the 35 or so animals she has taken into her home, loved, and protected until they found their forever homes tell a different story. Without fosters like Patti, many of these animals would have nowhere to go. And nowhere to go means they remain in dangerous situations, they continue to try to fend for themselves in the wild, or they are euthanized. So, it’s clear – Patti saves lives.
What brought her to fostering? “I have always had animals – big and small – budgies, rabbits, cats, dogs, and horses,” she said. “We were down to one geriatric cat after having lost three to old age and illness. We are also getting older and didn’t want to burden our daughter with finding homes for our pets when we passed. We felt that fostering would be a way of helping animals in need find their forever homes.”
The help she provides to animals – and to Meant 2B Loved Pet Rescue – is immeasurable, as is that of all our fosters. They are selfless and crucial components to animal rescue.
Is it not hard to let the animals go after caring for them? “My favourite part of fostering is when they go to their new forever home, and I see the smiles and excitement on the faces of the new “moms and dads “!
That doesn’t mean it is always easy, however. “Sometimes we will have ‘hard to adopt’ cats, whether because of their colour, their age, or shyness, who end up staying with us for longer periods of time. It can be bittersweet to see them go. We know they are going to a good home, but we do get attached the longer they are with us! “
Though we are focusing on Patti’s incredible contribution to Meant 2B Pet Rescue, Patti makes it clear she does not foster alone.
“I couldn’t do this without my husband’s and daughter’s help and support! My daughter cares for the fosters when we go away and my husband contributes everyday with feeding and litter box cleaning (he is also a magnet to all at night -they seem to prefer sleeping with him rather than anywhere else in the house).
And just as Patti relies on her husband and daughter to help with the animals they take in, rescues – like Meant 2B Loved – rely on selfless individuals like Patti. We absolutely couldn’t do what we do without our amazing fosters. Thank you, Patti.
Are you interested in becoming a lifesaver like Patti? Apply to foster