Imagine being sick, disabled, alone and unable to care for yourself. Then imagine having to face losing your home tomorrow, along with the only family you have left. There is nobody to help you, or even bother to take the time to listen to your story.
We received a call for help from an elderly woman desperate to find a place for her four senior cats as she was being evicted the next morning. She referred to these cats as her children, and that they were the only reason that she’s still alive today.
Despite being disabled, this woman found the strength to somehow care for her “children”, but could not find anyone to help her. Shelters and rescues cut her off mid-sentence. The only option offered for her “children” was euthanasia.
When we listened to the message, our hearts broke. You could hear the pain and desperation through the phone. Her words were, “I can deal with myself being homeless, but I cannot have my babies be homeless”. That was all we needed to hear. We had to help.
As a small, new rescue, we did not have a facility, a large bank account, a large foster network, or a big social media following. We did not have a donor base, sponsors, or a veterinary hospital where we can keep animals. What we do have, is the ability to empathize with someone who is truly in need. We absolutely could not turn a blind eye to this sad situation. We would find a way.
We met this kindhearted woman and her family of cats. Sadly, the conditions they were living in were no longer healthy for any of them.
There was Sunny, a beautiful orange tabby who at the age of 21 was still alert and the first to come out and make herself known.
Cassie the Calico, who at the age of 20, still has a beautiful, bright coat, and the most musical purr, but was too shy and afraid to allow her photo to be taken.
Two brothers, Sugar Baby, who would jump up on the sink each morning, waiting for his face to be washed, and Koko who has a beautiful and unusual chocolate brown coat, who at the age of 19 still enjoy playing together like young kittens. Each of these boys would take turns staying close to their person when she was feeling particularly unwell.
These cats are seniors, and have been in the same home since they were kittens. They were well cared for, and always vetted annually. They have known nothing but love, even when their person fell on hard times.
We took those beautiful old cats. Without a plan. Knowing only that we had to do something, and that we certainly had more resources to help them than their person did.
We took a huge leap of faith …knowing only that it was the right thing to do.
With the help of our community, we kept the promise that we made. These sweet old souls each found a safe place to land and are living the rest of their lives with love.
