Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) foster care provider, Danielle Gauthier Kratz is no stranger to fostering animals. For over 20 years, Danielle has been involved with a number of animal welfare organizations fostering all kinds of pets and wildlife such as cats, dogs, rats, gophers, birds and squirrels. About four years ago, Danielle began fostering for RCR, and is one of three volunteers who fosters newborn kittens requiring bottle feeding.

Danielle’s love of animals doesn’t stop with fostering. She’s travelled to La Loche, Sask every year for the past seven years to participate in a spay and neuter clinic run by Dr. Sawa of Animal Clinic of Regina, and has even been to Uganda twice to work on projects with Vets Without Borders.

Danielle is one busy woman. In addition to her volunteer work, she owns and operates her own pet grooming business called Pink Poodle Grooming, teaches vegan cooking classes, caters food, and even has her own upcoming cooking television show on Access Communications called Danielle’s Food with Friends. Danielle was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some of our questions about how she got started with RCR, her experiences with bottle feeding kittens, some of her favourite memories as a foster, and more.

What made you decide to become a foster care provider with RCR?
I ran into Alanna (RCR Pet Rescue Co-Chair) at Metro Pet Market a few years ago and we struck up a conversation. I mentioned that I had experience caring for neonatal kittens as a bottle feeder and she explained that RCR is always looking for bottle feeders and that got me started with RCR.

What motivated you to take on bottle feeding kittens?
I'm not sure how or when I got into bottle feeding but I absolutely love it. I'm not a good sleeper so getting up through the night is not a big deal. My own animals struggle when I foster adult animals, but babies aren't as threatening to them. I'm very comfortable bottle feeding as I've done it for so long and am fortunate to have had employers or jobs that have allowed me to have the kittens with me all the time. My friends are also very tolerant as when it's kitten time I'm always on a tight schedule and they also get to babysit during the times I can't take the kittens with me. I really believe neonatal babies should be given a chance and can survive and thrive if cared for. Bottle babies turn out to be very loving and affectionate adult cats as they have had constant human contact right from the start.

How do you fit fostering in with your busy schedule?
Since I am self employed it's easy for me to bottle feed. When the kittens are really young, my clock is set for every two hours and they're with me 24/7. Whether it’s shopping, eating out or visiting with friends - everyone knows if you invite me somewhere during kitten season, I may not be alone!

What’s the most challenging aspect of bottle feeding?
The biggest challenge is the age and fragile nature of these babies. I usually get them very, very young - sometimes just two to three hours old. It's a very crucial time. Over the years I have lost many kittens and I cry and mourn for each one like it's my first loss. They’re always named and loved till the very end. And I’m always with them until then singing, “You Are My Sunshine.” Sometimes there is nothing we can do when their start in life is an unnatural one without mom, but we do the best we can. I have wonderful friends who are vets and help me a lot.

What’s the best or most rewarding aspect of being a bottle feeder?
Keeping in touch with a lot of my bottle babies over the years - some for 15 years. Nothing makes me happier than a bottle baby finding a loving home and me being able to visit or get updates on them. I get very attached as most foster parents do and it's always so hard when I have to part with them.

What’s your favourite memory as a foster?
I have so many favourite memories from fostering it's hard to pick one. One from years ago actually involves a puppy. He and his litter had been run over by a swather at eight days old. He was the only one that made it. At two weeks old he had to have his leg amputated. He was very strong and lucky to have made it. It was truly a miracle. Now he’s over 80lbs, healthy, happy and wonderful.

Another favourite memory is from last winter when my friend Jan and I caught a skinny, sick, injured partially feral young cat in the middle of a snow storm. It took weeks of sitting quietly by him in a quiet room every day till he finally came around. His name was Ulysses and he's doing so great now. Every time I have kittens I am the happiest (and probably the sleepiest) girl around!

What would you tell someone who might be thinking of fostering through RCR?
Regina Cat Rescue is a wonderful organization to foster for and work with. They truly care about each individual cat and will do absolutely anything in their power to help. They give full support to their volunteers and have confidence in them and that means a lot. I have a huge amount of respect for them. I have been doing this a long time with many different organizations, and I will be a lifer with RCR.

Would you recommend bottle feeding to others?
Bottle feeding is not the easiest job. It requires a lot of time and attention to detail, and it can be very heartbreaking as some kittens just don’t make it. But to me, it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. Nothing makes my heart happier than to have newborns. I live for it and am always so excited for the next little lives I get to know, even though I probably smell of kitten formula more times than not!

- Interview by Madeline Bates

If you're interested in becoming a foster care provider with Regina Cat Rescue, please read the volunteer job description and apply to help out cats and kittens in need.