9 Lives Cat Rescue is doing a ten-day foster event to help combat mental health struggles that are synonymous with the holidays. This event was inspired from rescues across the country who have seen success in their communities from similar events.
The 9L team said, “We are so excited to do this event again! We were in awe last year at the participation from the community and hope to have another great year. This event is near and dear to our hearts as the animal welfare world is all too familiar with the mental health trials that accompany compassion fatigue, especially around the holidays.”
“We want to do this event as in years past in Oxford, there have been several cases of seasonal depression and other common mental illnesses that have claimed too many lives in our community. Oxford is a big “small town,” and we take care of one another here in a way most college towns don’t. Research shows that having a pet in your life reduces the risk of suicide and overdose. We always aim to help the community where we can and are grateful to have the chance to host this event—one of our favorite kinds of events—that benefits the community as well as our cats.”
The event is pretty straightforward: fill out the SMAP form, pick up your foster cat and supplies on November 17, take cute pictures, and give your foster lots of love and cat-safe yummy food for ten days, then drop off the foster and supplies on November 27. We ask that fosters send pics in so they can be added to the cats’ profile to help increase their chances of adoption.
9LCR is a volunteer-run, foster-based cat rescue that has been caring for cats in Oxford and the surrounding communities since 2006. They rely solely on donations and foster homes to help the animals that come into their care. 9LCR are strong advocates of TNR (trap-neuter-return) and rely on adoptions to place their adoptable cats. If you would like to join their team, send a monetary or product donation, adopt a cat, participate in securing grants and transport partners, or do a fundraiser, contact them via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or email at nine_lives_cat_rescue@hotmail.com.
