appealletter-template_AppealLetter 11/14/13 8:13 PM Page 1
The beautiful face you see above belongs to Ivory. This is her story and, in many ways, the story of all of our amazing foster parents.
The starving and desperate little cat knew she was out of time, so she did the best she could and gave birth to her four babies in the mud next to a drainpipe. Ivory curled herself around them, taking the cold September rain to give them what little protection she could. After two days, someone covered them with a cardboard box, but in the rain it didn’t last long. When ICS found out about this situation, we knew saving cats like Ivory and her family depends upon having a foster parent available with the necessary skills and time the situation requires. The foster parent that said yes and took in this little cat family has over ten years of experience, and has cared for countless cats and kittens, so mom and babies would be in great hands. So the rescue began. That part was quick this time; gentle Ivory was happy to go in the carrier where there was food waiting. The kittens, just days old, were scooped up in two hands all at once and gently placed in the waiting carrier with Mom. Ivory checked on them frequently as she ate her way through two cans of food.
The foster mom knew this family was fragile. She knew exactly what to do. Sadly, however, the tiniest and weakest kitten, a little calico, was unable to survive her ordeal. She passed over the Rainbow Bridge on her second night in warmth and peace, but, as sad as that was, her brothers and sister thrived in the new safety of warmth and care in the next days and weeks. And Ivory? Under the mud that caked her body, she revealed herself to be pure white and absolutely lovely, inside and out. This small family is heading toward happy endings, just in time for the holidays, thanks to the care of a wonderful foster family. Who are our foster parents? The public sees ICS volunteers in many roles, but they seldom see the faces of the foster heroes. Heroes, they certainly are! They are the ones who rise every few hours to bottle feed tiny orphans. The foster families reorganize their lives around their charges' needs, and risk losing their hearts to every animal that comes into their home. They are the ones who have to face the bittersweet goodbyes. Sometimes in spite of giving everything they can, a cat or kitten just doesn't have the strength to make it. A foster family must take comfort in knowing that, thanks to their efforts, a little forgotten soul was remembered and knew, for whatever length of time, what it meant to be saved and loved. Success also is bittersweet and means saying goodbye. Foster families often shed tears of both sadness and joy as their cats and kittens leave them for their new lives and families.
So, what on earth would make anyone want to volunteer for such a job? Two things: compassion and commitment. We at ICS know and celebrate the compassion and commitment of our foster parents. Not everyone has the time or the capacity to be a foster parent, but we ask you to support our rescue efforts by donating any amount you can afford to help with expenses, which are often overwhelming. It is the compassion and commitment of our supporters that have kept ICS going for 36 years in the face of all difficulties that have at times seemed insurmountable. ICS will journey on until there are homes and safety for these cats: until none die in shelters, on the streets, or in cold mud under cardboard boxes. Please join us on this journey – become part of the ICS team! Together, we can shape small miracles! Thank you for your help and support. Please have a peaceful and joyful holiday season! To you and yours, from all of us at ICS, and especially from Ivory’s family:
Cheeto
Tootsie Bella
Coral
Dates to remember
ICS Holiday Open House ICS Shelter: December 14 & 15 Porter County Master Gardeners 11th Annual Garden Show Porter County Expo Center: January 25
Independent Cat Society • PO Box 755 • Westville, IN 46391 • (219) 785-4936