This week, Kitty Poo Club's Creative Marketing Specialist, Amanda, chatted with Frieda Strachan, a compassionate fiber artist and cat lover living in Los Angeles who pours her free time, energy, and heart into fostering senior cats and caring for a local feral colony. Here's how her journey from Scotland to LA brought her into an unexpected community.
What originally inspired you to start fostering senior cats?
“I moved from Scotland to the US 2 years ago, and took in my first senior a couple of months later. Up until then, on trips to visit my now-husband, the pandemic restrictions meant that the stray cats that lived in his yard were some of the first friends I made in LA.”
She quickly grew attached to the backyard colony.
“They ranged from 5–10 years (at the time) and I would feed them and sit outside with them until they became friendly, and now the colony comes to my door at meal times! In Scotland, stray cats aren’t really a thing...I fell in love with them all.”
It was through them that she met the neighbor who would shape her path.
“By way of befriending them, I befriended my amazing neighbor, Dani, who is a real advocate for stray cats, told me about TNR (trap-neuter-return), and spoke about how she would take the cats in overnight when needed…so she was my inspiration.”
Her first senior, Meat, deepened that spark.
“Meat became my pet…he passed away earlier this year…I was honored to help him navigate his wee life after his health began to deteriorate. Giving him shelter, warmth and friendship was really a gift to me.”
Today, Frieda continues caring for the colony, working to bring them all indoors when possible.
“I’m working on taking in and adopting out the whole colony, and currently have two bonded 15-year-old seniors, Libby and Tibby…Today was the first time Libby came onto the sofa and fell asleep next to me. Even that can feel like a meaningful win...tiny wee steps of trust and relaxation.”
What advice would you give to someone who’s considering adopting a senior cat but feels hesitant or unsure?
“People think that it might not be worth it because of their age. Why take on a pet that may pass soon when they could get a wee kitten?”
But her experience says otherwise.
“I had such a short time as Meat’s best friend, but if I had known it would have only been for a week, I still would have taken him in. Few things in my life have been as special.”
She emphasizes how deep and meaningful the bonds can be.
“The bonds made with a senior cat…are so special. Every time they come over for a pet, or talk to you is a gift.”
While money can be a concern, she stresses that support exists.
“If the barrier—or fear—is cost, there is help out there if you need it…My desire to help and transform their lives…drives me to see it as an investment rather than a cost.”
Her senior fosters have shown her just how resilient cats can be.
“Tom needed quite a bit of medical…He is now called Daffy and lives in a loving home…Libby had a broken hip…Tibby had stomach issues…[the vet] gave me meds to clear things up for her.”
Can you share a memorable story about a senior cat who made a lasting impact?
“Daffy (previously known as Tom) was incredibly special. He was really struggling outside…He stank of garbage and had major mouth issues stopping him from eating.”
After dental surgery, he transformed almost overnight.
“The glow up…was instant. He became the guy I first met outside…loving all over us…baking bread CONSTANTLY…He had the cutest wee meow and would talk to us and stomp around while waiting to be fed.”
His gratitude was unmistakable.
“He’s one of the most loving cats I’ve ever met…If my own cats weren’t such bullies, I would have kept him!”
Now adopted by a friend, she still gets updates.
“Seeing his progress is HEAVEN!”
How do senior cats differ emotionally or behaviorally from younger cats?
Frieda's home includes both younger and older personalities.
"My own cats, Neeps and Tattas, are inseparable....when Meat came into the picture...he just wanted to sit with me and be pet."
The differences are clear.
"There are fewer demands from a senior other than your presence, company, and dedication to meal times!"
Her current fosters fit that pattern.
"Libby and Tibby are bonded and have each other...like Meat, Tibby has been diagnosed with FIV...her and Tibby do have a bunch of missing teeth...they look like little wee kittens though, so seeing them act like 'auld wifies' is funny. My husband and I call them The Golden Girls."
What advice would you give to someone considering adopting a senior cat?
Frieda doesn't mince words.
"DO IT!"
She explains why:
"Any stumbling block or hesitation will be eradicated by the bond you build...what a gift it is to share love in this world...we have the ability to make it safe, warm, and filled with love."
Above all, senior cats give their hearts freely.
"A cat can't mask when they are happy or relaxed...what a joy to love and be loved. Even if it's just the way they look at you, you'll get continuous reassurance that you're doing the right thing."