"Snuggles," a seven-month-old, black and white female cat, likes to bat at the toy fish that dangles from a plastic rod and take naps with "Chelsea," a Doberman Pinscher mix with whom she lives. Yet, five months ago, Snuggles didn't like much of anything. In fact, "everything scared her," according to Foster Care Volunteer Gigi Rider.

Gigi remembers how frightened Snuggles was when she was just four weeks old. Shortly after being separated from her mother and brought to the Denver Dumb Friends League, Gigi took the tiny kitten home to give her the socialization, good nutrition, and tender loving care that she needed so much. When she first arrived at the Riders' home, however, Snuggles hissed at everyone.

After a couple of days, Snuggles settled in and decided to take her lead from "Rikki," one of Gigi's two resident cats. "When he ate, she ate. When he drank, she drank. She followed him everywhere," recalled Gigi. Considering how frightened the kitten was, Gigi was glad to see that Rikki was guiding Snuggles through daily life.

"Taz," Gigi's other resident cat, also nurtured the kitten as best she could by grooming her. Thanks to both of Gigi's well-adjusted adult felines, Snuggles learned how to be a cat. This, in combination with Gigi and her husband's loving care and attention, caused Snuggles to thrive and become a healthy adoption candidate in just seven weeks.

At that time, it was November 1998. Danine Duncan, of Aurora, decided it was time to help fill a void in her life. Earlier in the year, she lost her two cats to two different ailments. Although she loved her family's dogs, "Nasha" and "Chelsea," Danine missed the compan-ionship of her cats.

Since adopting Chelsea from the Denver Dumb Friends League was a positive and successful experience for them, Danine, her husband, Michael, and their two children again visited our Quebec Shelter. Upon first sight, they fell in love with the little former fosterling and adopted her.

These days, Snuggles is no longer little. She's grown by leaps and bounds - up to 12 pounds -- thanks to the good care provided by the Duncans. Danine notes, "She has the sweetest personality." Not yet a full-grown adult, Snuggles is quite active and amuses Danine by hiding under the bed and pouncing on her feet as she walks by.

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In a year's time, our staff and volunteers foster more than 2,000 animals! Thanks to your continuing support, many more animals, like Snuggles, will get the second chance each of them deserves!