The Critter Room Memory Book Volume One: Hitchhiker Fosters Ghostbuster Kittens Pixar Fosters AI Fosters: Volume 1 - Tapa blanda

“Chronicling the adventures of cats and kittens as they get ready for adoption” This is the mission statement of The Critter Room, found on Facebook. How could foster dad John Bartlett ever have imagined the impact of his experiment: to share a live kitten cam with viewers as he fostered litters for his local shelter, Purrfect Pals in Arlington, WA? His mission to foster kittens into new homes has been ‘adopted’ by a worldwide community of cat lovers who befriend each other, laugh and cry together, and offer their creativity, generosity and financial support to the shelter. There are the countless stories of viewers comforted by the entertainment and gentle humor offered by the “cuteness” of the kittens. Times of stress, illness and unemployment have been mediated by kittens ‘zooming,’ nursing at the ‘milk bar’ or just sleeping peacefully. Artists, crafters, quilters and writers have shared their paintings, drawings, crafts, stories and quilts with the community, often donating them to raise funds for Purrfect Pals. Laughter turns to bittersweet tears and cheers as the kittens and their mothers find their forever homes. Who says there is no such thing as “Happily Ever After?” The Critter Room is real life in a microcosm, a metaphor for the way life ought to be.

Susan (Hoyle) Bailey is an author, blogger, musician and unabashed cat lover and fan of The Critter Room. Visit her website at www.beasone.org.