This is a sad yet sensible story of a dedicated and organised cat rescuer who has been told she has about 6 more months to live and is engaged in finding new homes for the cats she cares for.
Her name is Antoinette van Berkel. She lives in New Zealand. Being an experienced cat rescuer she is savvy on the subject of selecting the right person to look after her cats.
Antoinette says that she is looking for “women on their own, or couples with grown up children that have moved out of the home.”
She says that for a potential adopter, children and dogs are deal breakers! Pretty clear cut decision making process. Two other key factors in decision making are the work commitments and location of the adopters.
Antoinette will have four of her seven left to rehome by the weekend she hopes. ‘Buba’ has already been rehomed to a place which she described as “perfect”. She’ll miss him. She calls him a lovable rogue. He is a six-year-old black tomcat.
“She will give him a better life than I’ve been giving him. I have absolutely no qualms about where he is going.”
Antoinette is selfless and in typical cat lover fashion only concerned about her cats’ welfare.
She has had enquiries from as far afield as the UK. The concern from animal lovers made her cry, she said.
Four of her cats have formed relationships so Willow and GinGin will be rehomed together as will Zak and Whisper. That leaves Max and Ella who are fine on their own.
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Source: Success for stricken Christchurch cat lover’s pet project | Stuff.co.nz
As tragic as Antoinette’s plight is, she has been blessed with time to rehome her beloved cats.
It worries me that I may drop dead, suddenly, and without a plan. I think that all lovers of cats need to develop some sort of plan. It’s not just for the elderly; even younger people can die suddenly and without notice.
I tried fostering for a while and the second kitten I got, I adopted him and stopped fostering! I failed miserably. I still have him – Gabriel. I love him terribly.
You wonderful lady,my heart goes to you.even tho you will miss them greatly,you have been more than responsible in your effort to rehome. I Foster kittens an it makes me very sad when they leave to find there forever homes, an yes I worry about them all,as you will. Well done,you have gone that extra mile for them,they will be