SNOHOMISH — Maria Cote has a new mission for her nonprofit.
FurKidz 911 Connection is now providing foster care for dogs and cats when their owners are receiving inpatient medical care.
The nonprofit started operating in 2009 as a rescue, mostly for dogs, and the occasional cat. More than 500 pets have been saved, Cote said.
Cote, who also holds a job in information technology, has multiple sclerosis. She said the rescue work was getting to be too much for her to handle.
“It was a lot of work,” she said.
She was going to close the nonprofit but decided to instead change the service it provides. Cote saw a need for a place to house dogs and cats while people are in the hospital or undergoing treatment for substance abuse.
“I started asking around and I couldn’t find any programs like that in Washington state,” she said.
Cote now works with local hospitals and animal shelters to provide foster care for patients’ animals. Last week, the nonprofit took in two dogs for a Seattle man who needs to stay in the hospital for about a month. Cote said the man told her that without her help, his dogs could have ended up at an animal shelter.
Now, Sophie, a shepherd-lab mix, is staying with her in Snohomish. Boomer, a yellow lab, is with a foster family in Shoreline.
At first, Cote said, dogs can suffer from separation anxiety. It usually takes them a day or two to adjust to a new environment.
“We always say ‘the first night is the worst night,’” she said.
Cats, however, typically have an easier time adjusting than the dogs.
The nonprofit so far has about 15 foster families willing to house dogs. Cote is looking for people who will host cats, and she still would like a few more who can take dogs.
“We’d like to help as many people as we can,” she said.
Cote is also looking for volunteers to drive the animals to the foster homes and work at information booths at events. The nonprofit needs donated supplies, such as pet food, flea medications, animal beds and bowls.
Volunteers are also making care packages for cancer patients who are without their pets while being treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The kits include FurKidz T-shirts, coloring books, treats and other items.
“We’re thinking of doing something for the adults as well, just to make them feel better,” Cote said.
Foster parenting a pet is both tough and rewarding, Cote said. It’s sad to see patients leave their cat or dog but it feels good to let them know the animals will be in a safe home, she said.
“Seeing the look on the patient’s face makes it all worth it,” she said.
For more information, call 425-773-2555, email maria@furkidz911.org or visit furkidz911.org.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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