Finding a Foster Home for Squeakers

It was no easy feat

One of the most difficult aspects of getting ready to go on our adventure was figuring out who could care for Squeakers. We had originally hoped that family could help, but it wasn’t possible, so we put the ask out far and wide for someone to foster her. We knew it was a big ask, but we underestimated how difficult it would be. A few factors were likely working against us: 1) Lots of people adopted pets during the pandemic and they don’t need more; 2) Many people are allergic to cats or have someone in their house who is; and 3) Cats don’t always get along with other cats, so we weren’t sure we could put Squeakers with another furry friend, though we were open to it, provided they could be introduced properly.

As if that wasn’t enough, we were in an affluent area and there was an expectation (direct and indirect) for us to pay someone to care for Squeakers on top of paying for her food, litter, any vet bills, etc. We weren’t entirely opposed to some sort of stipend, but we simply couldn’t justify or afford $40-$50/night for a year — that’s ~$14,500-$18,000! (Yes, that’s really the going nightly rate for pet sitting. And, while I’m sure something could’ve been negotiated, it likely wasn’t going to reach a level we were comfortable with.)

We had a couple of people who expressed interest, but for various reasons things didn’t work out. We kept asking, and friends asked on our behalf (bless them!). We found a friend of a friend of a friend who was willing, but she had a bunch of her own travel planned and couldn’t take Squeakers until the start of the new year. This was exciting, but we still had to find two months of coverage. As time marched on, it started to feel impossible. We looked at cat boarding options — they were not only too expensive, but also sad sounding despite good reviews. Squeakers would effectively be in a large dog kennel all day and night. For two months?! No. She’s used to roaming the house and getting some outside time. Plus, she needs some human connection. And get this: Interacting/playing with the cat for 30 minutes a day costs extra at these cat boarding places. For real.

At this point we started contemplating permanently rehoming Squeakers. We couldn’t see a way to bridge the gap from a fostering perspective, and it made us SO sad. S cried; I cried. It sucked. But I wasn’t willing to give up. So I messaged the woman who could take her starting in January to ask if there was any way for her to take Squeakers sooner. Turns out, there was if we cover the cost of a cat sitter while she does some December travel. That was doable.

Now we just had to cover the month of November. We used Rover.com and found someone who lives within a short drive from where Squeakers will otherwise spend the next year. It’s outside of the Bay Area, so rates are lower; they still aren’t cheap when you add up a full month of care, but we decided we could stomach it. We locked it in and heaved a massive sigh of relief. After weeks of disjointed sleep, I finally slept through the night. Yes, this cat (among other things) had been keeping me awake!

Now we just had to find a way to get Squeakers to this magical destination and then from there to her long-term foster home…