For our fifth issue of People of Timmins, we interviewed Colleen Genore, an animal lover who fosters cats.
Q: I was really surprised the first time you told me that you foster cats. I didn't even know that was a thing! Tell us more about what that means.
A: Cats need foster homes for all sorts of reasons. My partner and I do the majority of our fostering for kittens, either orphaned or feral. Orphaned or abandoned kittens need a lot of care because depending on their age and stage, they can't do anything themselves. Feeding, cleaning, maintaining their temperature, stimulating them to go to the bathroom, it's basically a full time job for the first week or two. Older, feral kittens come into our care sometimes when they're healthy and independent, but very under-socialized. They get more one-on-one time to develop their confidence and learn that people aren't so scary. Once they get some good habits and good relationships with people, they're a lot more adoptable. Sometimes we even get adult cats who need socialization, or medical/therapeutic support, or just a calmer, quieter place to wait out their time to get adopted.
Q: Fostering cats sounds adorable, but I'm sure it comes with its fair share of challenges. What kinds of challenges have you faced as a cat foster parent?
A: The worst thing a foster family can go through is what's often called 'failure to thrive.' Sometimes with litters of kittens you have one (or more) that just... fail to do well. They can be doing fine like the rest of the litter before they stop putting on weight, stop eating very well, and don't want to move as much, and unfortunately many of them don't make it once they start down that slippery slope. It's very tough to be doing all you can and still have one fade on you. In slightly lighter negatives, sometimes you really make a friend and rehoming them is tough because you miss them, but it's always a win when they go to a loving home, so it's got a silver lining.
Q: How many cats would you say you've fostered over the years?
A: I've fostered 89 cats, including the 3 kittens I have with me right now.
Q: Have you ever adopted cats you were meant to foster because you couldn't let them go?
A: I have 5 "foster fails" to my name, including a dog and a hamster, but I currently have 3 and they're all cats. Kiki, my oldest, was less of a case of me choosing to keep her, and much more like she picked me by being awful in all three of the homes I tried to place her in.
Q: Do you remember all the cats that you've fostered? Share the names of some of the most memorable ones.
A: Naming my fosters is basically my favourite thing ever. I have a book with some little details about them (dates, where they came from, what colours, that kind of thing). My first ever foster kitten was Trollface. I've had a Detective Bubblegum, Mister Piffles... A lot of the time for litters, we'll give them themed names. Scandinavian metal bands, Japanese motorcycles, types of hot peppers, all sorts of fun things.
Q: Why did you choose to foster cats, as opposed to other animals available for fostering?
A: I've had a few other kinds of critters as fosters, but cats are just so small and goofy; they're irresistible. They fit in our household perfectly and we don't have much of a yard for dogs. Cats bring a lot of joy and honestly there are so, so many of them that need help out there. We've got major cat overpopulation issues as a society.
Q: If someone wanted to become an animal foster parent, how would they go about doing that?
A: The best thing to do if you're looking to foster, in my opinion, is to get in touch with an animal rescue organization. If you take cats (or any animal) in by yourself, be it a stray or an animal someone was giving away, you're officially the owner now, so you're responsible for everything. I do the majority of my fostering through the Timmins and District Humane Society, so they're there to help me out with whatever they need and they do all the hard work of finding these sweet kitties their forever homes. Otherwise I'd have 90-something cats.
Q: Okay, time for a few rapid fire questions for fun. If you could be any superhero, who would it be?
A: I'd be Hawkeye (Kate Bishop for the win!).
Q: If you saw someone steal a quarter, would you report it?
A: I think I'd let a quarter slide, just this once.
Q: If you could have coffee with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
A: I haven't seen my best friend in almost six months, so probably her. She fosters dogs, so we can trade stories.
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