By Laura Horihan

Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

Mazda, a little white and black kitten, adds extra bounce to Mike and Corissa Schnell's southeast Rochester home.

The couple fosters cats for Camp Companion until the shelter can find permanent homes for them.

Mazda was brought to the animal shelter after one of her front paws was injured by a car's fan belt.

Among the five cats that roam the Schnell home, Mazda is the most noticeable with her little pink cast wrapped around her leg.

The Schnells, both 31, have adopted all of their pets: four cats -- Foster, Whalen, Vinnie and Persia -- and their dog, a Dachshund named Popeye.

After adopting their last cat, the couple decided they wanted to get more involved by fostering an animal. Of course, not all fostering situations go as planned.

The first cat they fostered, named Persia, became so attached to their cat Whalen that they didn't dare separate them. "I guess you could call it a failed attempt," Corissa said. "Like everything else, it takes a little practice to get it right."

When the shelter first asked the couple to foster an animal, Mike was concerned that his wife would get too attached. "I'll admit, I've had the harder time," Mike said. "It's easy to get attached to them."

So far, most of the cats the Schnells have fostered have had medical needs.

The last cat, Kennedy, had one of its legs amputated. Their cat Persia didn't have any hair when they first received her. Wraps, bandages and medicine haven't scared the couple away from fostering animals, though.

"Our house has been the right fit for those with special needs," Corissa said. "It's a nice, quiet place for them to recover."

Since outdoor cats often like to hide in or under cars because they are warm, the Schnells believe Mazda likely took a ride on someone's car engine and got her paw caught on a fan belt. She has lost some of her toes and the pad of her foot. Some of her whiskers are also missing.

But she'll be getting her stitches out next week and could be available for adoption in a couple weeks.

While at the Schnell's home, Mazda hasn't been denied much. "Food, love, toys, we give them everything," Corissa said.

The couple have also taught Mazda the right skills to send her out into the world. Mazda has been litter box trained and gets along with both cats and dogs.

The Schnells say there's a real need for more foster caregivers.

"Every week we get e-mails about another cat that needs a foster home," Mike said. "If you like animals, it's a great way to meet, socialize and do some good. Plus, you get to prepare an animal on their journey to a new home."

Cats at Camp Companion have gotten their shots and are spayed and neutered before they are adopted. They've been tested for feline leukemia and FIV, which is feline AIDS. The adoption fee for all cats is $90.

When it comes to Mazda, "I think they'll find a home for her fast," Corissa said. "They will see Mazda running around with that little pink paw and find her irresistible."

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