My Grandfather's Cat ❤️

[demmiblue]

Angela Rafuse Is A Founder Of ‘My Grandfather’s Cat Charity’, Helping Seniors To Rehome Their Pets Interview





Today, we would like to share a story about a special charity in Canada, dedicated to helping cats in need find their second forever home. “My Grandfather’s Cat” is a registered Canadian charity that provides a service to help seniors and terminally ill individuals arrange homes for their pets before they move into retirement homes or pass away.

The founder of this initiative, Angela Rafuse, came up with the idea of starting this non-profit when her own grandfather, who cared for a 14-year-old cat named Mackie, passed away in 2019. The family had to decide who would take care of the feline after his passing, and Angela chose to take responsibility for her. This story inspired Rafuse, and two years later, “My Grandfather’s Cat” was officially founded in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Bored Panda got in touch with Angela to find out more about this wonderful initiative. We asked her a few questions about My Grandfather’s Cat and the goals Rafuse has for her charity for the future.

First, we were wondering what the process of selecting and matching adoptive families with the cats looks like. Angela explained: “My Grandfather’s Cat provides a service to help seniors and terminally ill people find homes for their pets before they move into retirement homes or pass away. Our organization does not house the animals but rather works to move them directly from their human to their second forever home. We work directly with the animal’s current owner to interview families, and the current owner has the ultimate decision of who adopts their animal.”

https://www.boredpanda.com/my-grandfathers-cat-second-forever-home-angela-rafuse/

Something in my eye!

[Deuxcents]

1. Where's my tissues?! This is a wonderful idea

I’m so happy it’s working so well

[niyad]

2. Damn, it is dusty in here.

[Rebl2]

3. What a

wonderful idea!

[PatrickforB]

4. My wife and I are in our mid-60s and have four cats.

Two are tuxedos, and are 11 years old. We should outlive them.

However, the other two - a snowshoe Siamese and a Tortie - are just four years old. We have already spoken to our children about these cats, who will likely be getting on in years when we pass.

This is a wonderful idea!

[JoseBalow]

5. My greatest anxiety about dying is worrying about who will care for my dog

[Sky Jewels]

6. Oh my heart...

[japple]

7. What a lovely organization. Seems like almost every week, family members will bring their

Mom or Dad's cat(s) into the local animal control and just leave them. Most of the time they don't even know the cat's name, nor do they have any vet records. A lot of these kitties are elderly themselves and are so heartbroken and lost. It's not easy to get them in with a rescue group, but our advocates have been fairly successful at raising pledges as incentive for rescues to get the cats' vetting up to date.

I have set aside $$ that should take care of my cats when I die. The arrangements are with a rescue group, with instructions in my will. I have also informed my family that these funds will be distributed before any other bequests are made. I hope to outlive all of my pets, but at age 73, it's not a given. Most pet rescue groups have planned giving policies and will be happy to work with pet owners if they want to donate a small amount on a monthly subscription basis.

[Warpy]

8. Adopting adult kitties is a completely different experience

than adopting kittens.

Adult cats have learned some manners, have learned some language (my old tomcat would respond to Spanish, not to English), and are beyond that kittens climbing the curtains stage. They're grateful once the realize they're not going back to that place with the barking dogs and that you're their new human and yes! they can sleep on the furniture. In addition, they have their own fully developed personalities and it's great fun to get to know them.

Once I adopted my first adult kitty, I never adopted another kitten. I did adopt other adults.

[Lithos]

13. Older cats are awesome

it takes a bit of experience to learn that kittens are essentially random number generators and it takes a few years for them to develop a sense of self and place. As cats age, they tend to get not only sweeter but more wise. They develop into the caretakers who do know when you feel down and will support you.

[Rizen]

9. I adopted my mom's cat when she died.

[Attilatheblond]

10. With our aging population, this is an idea that needs to spread

Those who are moving on to the next whatever would be greatly comforted to know their fur kids would be well cared for and loved.

[CaptainTruth]

11. Awesome! It makes me think about one of our kitties...

After my last kitty passed, we went to the shelter to adopt. I wanted a black cat, & there was one there who was older, & he was so sweet & friendly. In the minds of so many folks who want "perfect kittens" he had several strikes against him, he was older, he was black, he had a problem with one of his eyes that looked odd, & he was wearing a cone because of recent surgery to remove a growth from his face. But he just kept coming up to us & meowing & rubbing against our legs & plopping with his tummy in the air to be rubbed... & yes... he won us over. We had to take him home & he's the sweetest kitty we've ever had, snuggling up in bed & purring in our ears as we fall asleep.

Your post makes me think about him because I know nothing of his life before we adopted him. He was clearly loved by his former owner, but what happened? Why did they give up such a sweet loving kitty? The shelter said they had no info on his former human, he was just "dropped off." I will forever wonder what happened, & I've frequently wondered if perhaps his former loving human passed away. I wish I knew...

[Karadeniz]

12. Fabulous!!!