It’s at all times good to listen to that Catster conjures up our readers. I used to be particularly excited to listen to about 15-year-old Blake Austin, who, in accordance with her mother, has been an avid reader of Catster (and Cat Fancy) ever since she realized the right way to learn. Blake can be a volunteer at Midcoast Humane (midcoast humane.org) in Brunswick, Maine, and is a licensed foster cat caregiver.
Blake at her native animal shelter.
To date, Blake has fostered 103 at-risk kittens and cats, and has discovered without end properties for all of them. She showcases her fosters on social media and has meet-and-greets with potential adopters at her household’s house. Her fortunate fosters don’t need to undergo the stress of residing on the shelter till they’re adopted as a result of Blake can undertake them out instantly from house on behalf of the shelter.
Blake bought her begin in animal welfare when she was eight years previous and began going to the shelter to spend time with the cats — she may by no means have one among her personal as a result of her father and brother are allergic. After some time, she realized that there have been cats there who, for varied causes, weren’t able to be on the adoption ground. “I satisfied my dad to let me short-term foster these cats in our house,” she says. “I created a devoted 12- by 12-foot cat room in our basement referred to as ‘the cattery.’” She has spent her personal cash to create the right house for these fortunate cats.
She loves taking a cat from the high-stress atmosphere of the shelter and bringing the kitty house to the cattery. “They usually present a complete new, extra relaxed persona,” she says.
Earlier this 12 months, Blake was acknowledged by U.S. Mobile as one among its “16 Beneath 16” recipients within the firm’s Nationwide Way forward for Good program, receiving a examine for $10,000 to make use of as she sees match for animal welfare companies. She plans to make use of the cash towards serving to her native animal shelter.
Blake hopes her work conjures up different individuals to become involved and assist shelter cats. “Whether or not you donate cat provides, volunteer or undertake a shelter cat — there are such a lot of methods to assist!” she says.
What does the long run maintain for this superb teenager, who can be a three-season athlete and performs the flute in her college band? She positively needs to proceed on the earth of cat welfare. “I’m contemplating turning into a veterinarian,” she says. She has additionally thought of turning into an immunologist to work to discover a remedy for cat allergy symptoms. “I’d like to reside in a world the place nobody was allergic to cats — particularly my dad,” she says.
Concerning the creator:
Annie Butler Shirreffs has labored within the pet trade for 20 years and is at present the senior editor of Catster and Dogster magazines. A cat lover since she was somewhat lady, she has at all times had feline pals in her life. She and her husband share their Southern California house with their 4 cats, Agatha, Alastair, Jack and Mathilda, and an ever-changing clowder of foster kittens, all of whom get pleasure from being testers for cool, new merchandise.
