SOME BACKGROUND

When I adopted Billie, she was a 3 month old kitten who had been abandoned in a cardboard box with a dish of water on the streets of the East Village. A local cat-friendly schoolteacher fiound her and brought her into the vet's office where I was working at the time as their receptionist. I'd been considering adopting a cat for several months, and helping this abandoned kitten seemed the right thing to do - especially since she seemed to choose ME. Every time I walked by the cage she was living in, she'd reach a paw out and tap my head, and talked to me, nattering at me to get my attention. I spentt three days debating whether or not to take this cat home; on the third morning, the owner of the veterinary practice brought her out of her cage and put her down on my desk and told me she had a gut feeling that this cat was meant for me (and Billie had already wrapped herself around my shoulders like an animated shawl). She's been with me ever since, and has been a fabulous companion animal. I love her dearly, and want more than anything to be reunited with her and to provide a safe and comfortable home for her again. However, I've been apartment hunting since the summer, and the place I've been staying doesn't allow pets. A friend has been boarding her since August, but because her circumstances have changed, she can't continue to take care of Billie past December 31. She's told me that if I don't find another place for Billie by then, she'll take her to a shelter. The thought is absolutely unbearable to me - it would traumatize my cat, I don't want her euthanized (and I know how difficult it is to find a new home for an older animal), and I definitely want my cat back as soon as I have a new home for both of us. I'm desperate at this point because it's been difficult to reach places that provide fostering directly by phone; my brother can't help because he's severly allergic to cats, and I've contacted many of my other friends who haven't been able to help because they either have a full quota of pets already and can't manage another, or their apartments/condos/whatnot have "no pets" rules. So now I have to turn to a larger circle of people for help, and am hoping for a miracle at this point.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I picked up Billie from my friend's apartment yesterday afternoon, and she's now temporarily staying at my ex's place, camped out in the bathroom to keep her safe from the other cat that lives there (they don't get along, and Stretchy - pictured at left - likes to attack her). It's definitely better than a shelter, but I'm still looking for another foster situation because I don't think this will work out long-term. However, just wanted to let everyone know that for now, Billie's in a relatively safe place and I have no intention of sticking her in a shelter or putting her down.

Still looking for helpful suggestions for a foster arrangement, though - and more leads. I've been making dozens of phone calls and sending out loads of emails and faxes, and hanging signs everywhere I can think of. Thanks in advance for any and all help!

- Emily