With the hope of finding permanent, loving homes for dogs and cats currently in foster care, volunteers from Angie's Stray Foundation brought a few furry friends to the Christiana Parks and Recreation farmers market on Aug. 16. The event, held on the grounds of the Brinton House, offered visitors a chance to meet adoptable pets and learn more about the foundation's mission to give every stray a second chance.

During the event, volunteers handed out bags of candy along with information about the foundation. Also on hand were several kittens found as strays that are currently available for adoption. "They are 14 weeks old and all girls," noted foundation volunteer Shelby Moran.

Visitors were also able to meet Cornflake, a male American Shorthair cat, who is FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)-positive. Since the disease is primarily transmitted through deep bites, Moran said that with proper care, FIV-positive cats can live long, healthy lives.

"Cornflake is 3 years old. He was a stray. He's been in foster for about six months," said Moran. "He has FIV, which is manageable with a daily immune supplement. Old science said that FIV was incredibly contagious, but research has changed and it's hard to transmit, so you can mingle FIV positive and negative cats if they don't fight. He is living with three other cats currently, and he plays well with others."

The rescue is currently in need of fosters to temporarily house pets until their forever home is found, as well as adopters.

"We have fosters who (care for) dogs, cats and do both," said Moran, noting that the foster application and adoption application are available on the foundation website. "We, like all rescues, vet all of our adopters. Our goal is to find the best possible home for that particular animal."

She noted that there is a current need for people to foster unwanted cats and kittens. "With cats in particular, there are stray kittens everywhere right now. People will let us know that a mom showed up and there are kittens in their yard," said Moran. "People find strays sick or neglected."

She said that fosters may find it hard to surrender the pet when a permanent home is found, but that gives them an opportunity to care for other animals in need. "The saving grace is that most adopters send pictures and keep in touch. When you get that picture, it helps," Moran shared. "Plus, you can save others. Right now, we have a waiting list for people who have stray cats that need help."

In addition to fosters and adopters, the foundation is in need of financial donations to purchase pet food and cat litter and to pay for veterinary services.

"Donations for the rescue are accepted electronically. They can also send a donation to Elk Creek Veterinary Hospital in Oxford. That is who we primarily use for care," Moran explained. "People can donate to them. They have an Angie's Stray Foundation Fund that they keep for us."

Angie's Stray Foundation is named after a dog that belonged to Ruth Jenkins, the founder and president of the foundation. Angie was abused and near death but recovered under Jenkins' care. She founded the rescue to care for other abused and neglected animals.

"Ruth Jenkins is the one who got Angie and nursed her back to health and named the rescue in her honor," said Moran. "This is why we do what we do. We do it for (Angie) and those like her."

For more information about Angie's Stray Foundation, to complete a foster or adoption application, to make a donation or to view adoptable pets, visit http://www.angiesstrayfoundation.org. More information is also available at http://www.facebook.com/angiesstrayfoundation.