It took her breath away-the sight of a cat lying in the middle of a busy road with cars whizzing by, nearly hitting him as he struggled to get out of danger. After safely securing the little grey tabby, Jennifer Nyugen drove him to PAWS where she knew he would get the attention and care he desperately needed.

Once at the shelter, PAWS' medical team assessed the stray's injuries and named him Charlie. X-rays revealed
that Charlie's left hind leg, hip and pelvis were crushed. PAWS' veterinarian determined that his leg had to be removed. It was a traumatic time for Charlie, but after a few days of cage rest and careful monitoring, he found his balance. He was introduced to his foster parents Bob (pictured right) and Trish Stanton.

The Stantons had always enjoyed fostering kittens, but this would be the fi rst time they provided care for an adult
cat. They knew Charlie would need time to adjust to his new three-legged lifestyle, and were prepared to provide him a calm recuperation.

Charlie had other ideas. He hit the ground running, exploring and making quick friends with his canine and feline
housemates. "His nicknames became Bomber and Spirit because he's super fast," said Trish. "He loves to jump and gets into the craziest places."

In the 12 years Trish and Bob have been foster care volunteers, they've taken in hundreds of needy animals. When the animals were ready, they brought them back to PAWS to be adopted by loving families. There have been a few, though, who never made it back to the shelter, but became permanent members of the Stanton household. Charlie turned out to be one of those, and that seems to suit him just fine.

PAWS' foster volunteers:

• Give sick and injured animals a crucial chance at recovery.
• Use the experience to teach children responsibility and compassion in a fun, interactive way.
• Choose to foster because the temporary commitment fits into their busy lifestyles.
• Enjoy this rewarding way to save lives.

Learn more about becoming a foster parent.