Hi there! It’s me again, Superfan Stacey. Here today to tell you about a great place to look for that special furry friend. PAWS Humane Society.

Last year, my husband and I decided that we were finally ready to get another pet. We had lost our precious German Shepard (Aspen Marie) about 5 years previous and just kept saying that someday, we would get another dog.

We had purchased our home the previous year and my husband was working as an over-the-road truck driver so, he was just home on the weekends. It was hard being on my own all week and I was lonely much of the time. We do have a few goldfish, but they really aren’t much company ~ you just can’t snuggle up on the couch with a goldfish.

One Friday, I had the day off of work and was going to do the shopping so that when my hubby got home on Saturday, we could relax and not have to worry about running errands. The fish needed food, so I stopped at the PetCo here in Rockford. While I was there, I decided to wander around the store and check out all of the animals.  I have always loved animals and it’s so much fun to just watch the hamsters and mice run on the wheel or talk with the birds or watch the fish swim around. When I turned the corner, I noticed the “wall of cats” behind the glass. I’ve never really had a cat as a pet, but again, I love animals so I just couldn’t help but go in and at least say “hi”.

There was a lady there playing with some tiny little kittens and she said that all of the cats were from the PAWS humane society. I asked if they ever get dogs at the humane society.  She said that they do occasionally but that they primarily had cats available for adoption. If I was interested in the dogs that they did have available or in seeing the other cats available that I could stop by their main facility at 7282 N. Cherryvale Mall Drive.

I then asked her some questions about some of the cats that were there at PetCo that day. She told me if I was interested, that I could fill out an application and that they would keep it on file, just in case I saw someone that I wanted to take home with me from either location. As I was filling out the adoption application, we were talking about some of the cats that were available. I asked her if they ever get older cats and she said that they did. She said it’s very difficult to get them adopted, because most people want kittens. I joked that my “potty training days” were behind me and was actually thinking about getting TWO older cats so that they could keep each other company while I was at work during the day. Then it happened.  She showed me a picture of a bonded pair of brothers. They were 6 years old and their names were Peter and Buddy. I instantly fell in love.

She said they were at the PAWS facility on Cherryvale Mall Drive. I ran right over to see them in person. They were in a very nice enclosure together. Buddy came up to me right away! He was very friendly. Peter was a little more stand-offish but soon decided that I was “ok” and came over to see me too. After I spent about 15 minutes with them; I called my husband and told him about them and that I really wanted to adopt them. When he came home the next day, we went to PAWS as soon as they opened. He fell in love right away just as I had and within the next hour, we had the boys at home!

I must admit, having cats is not easy when you bring them into a new environment. I had found out when we got them home that they had come from a home where they may have been mistreated. No one knows for sure their circumstances, but there were signs that they didn’t trust people right away. I spent the first few days laying on the floor, feeding them by hand to try and earn their trust. I brought them toys to play with and made sure that they had the best of everything. I wanted them to know that they were in a safe place that was full of love and of course delicious things to eat.

It’s taken a lot of time, patience and treats, but they are now OUR boys. Chuck has since found a job working locally and is home every night. Their favorite spot to hang out is in daddy’s lap in his chair after supper so they can watch T.V. with us. In the winter time, they love laying in front of the fireplace. They are two of the best things that have ever happened to us and we don’t even remember what it was like before they were part of our family.

If you, or someone you know is thinking of buying a pet, PLEASE consider adoption first. There are so many animals already in the world that need love and safe place to live.        If you already have a pet, please make sure that they are spayed or neutered to help prevent unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. If you have questions about adoption, or need more information about animal rescue or fostering, Please contact PAWS Humane Society or any of the other local shelters in the Rock River Valley Area.

Please adopt ~ save a life.