Cat Rescue Stories

The recent tornado in Joplin, Missouri cut a 6 mile long swath of death and destruction. Susan, whom this lens was written in order to help support her rescue efforts with the local abandoned and feral cat population, has been devastated by the tornado. She lives only two blocks away from the center of the destruction. Her house is still standing, but will likely be condemned due to wind and water damage, as well as black mold. The foundation is crumbling due to the excessive amounts of rain that has continued to batter them.

The cats that she cares for were rounded up before the storm and are all present and accounted for. Due to the house damage, they are being kept in a detached garage. This is not an ideal condition, due to the searing heat. She has the added burden of lost and homeless cats showing up at her home. There is no way of knowing if their owners are alive or dead. The local Humane Society is euthanizing any animal they find wandering the devastated area, after only one week of holding them. It is appalling that these shocked and grieving people are only getting one week to find and claim their pets before they are killed. Susan is doing everything she can to save as many cats as come to her for aid.

Susan is in need of many things. A window air conditioning unit to help keep the cats cool in their temporary home. Food and litter supplies. Gas money to get the cats to vet care...hours away, since the local vet clinic was destroyed. Please consider making a purchase at Susan's Zazzle store. All of the royalties for the sale will go to Susan to help finance her rescue efforts.

Please help the cats of Joplin, Missouri.

Feral Cat British Shorthair Postage by Susang6
See more British Postage


Feral Cat Black and White Print Bag by Susang6
Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

My friend, Susan Golis has a heart of gold. There is a colony of feral cats near her home. She provides food, shelter and medical care for these otherwise abandoned cats, all on her own dime. Many little feral kittens have found a loving home due to her efforts. The parents have been spayed or neutered to help control the population. Many of the cats owe their lives to her, and they seem to know it. They trust her and allow her to handle them when no one else can get near them.

She is not alone in this effort. Many people work at getting cats off the streets and into loving homes. Maybe you can't adopt a cat yourself if you have allergies or a lease that forbids pets. You can still help. Susan is a photographer and has offered her beautiful photos of her cats for sale to help fund her feeding and care efforts. Please consider a purchase of one of her lovely mugs, cards, T-shirts or other fine products from her Zazzle store to help support her efforts.


Cat Missing You Card by Susang6
More Abandoned Cards

In 2004 one of our beloved cats died bone cancer. It left a huge hole in our hearts and it wasn't long before we began to look for a new kitty to fill it with. Our local classifieds had an add for a free kitty. We called and went to visit. What we found was heartbreaking.

Darby was less than a year old at the time, but not quite a kitten either. The home he had been living at was not suitable for him. The people had never owned a cat before and didn't know how to care for him. They had a toddler who liked to grab Darby by the collar and drag him around the house. The mom finally decided enough was enough and listed the ad to find a better home for him. She was actually worried that her child would accidentally kill Darby.

When she put Darby in my arms he literally melted into me. I could tell he was not feeling well, as well as being very insecure and scared. There was no way we were going to leave Darby at that house. The lady said she had given him all his shots and wormed him, but had no papers. I'm pretty sure she never did anything of the sort. So, Darby came home with us.

Poor Darby. We could tell that he was sick. His tummy was bloated and distended and he farted, horrible, stinky farts all the time, along with loose stools. These are all signs of worms, so we took him to the vet ASAP! The vet confirmed the presence of worms, gave Darby all of his shots and checked him over for injuries. He always cried painfully if you touched him near his backside. His legs, back and tunny were no touching zones, and still are, even though the vet couldn't find any apparent reason for it. It took Darby over 6 months to get well. He still has a delicate tummy and no-touchy spots, but he isn't a little stinky gas bag anymore. THANK GOD!

Darby is such a loving cat. He loves his people and wants nothing more than to be in the same room as we are, preferably sitting on my chest so that I can't see the computer or the TV. He needs a cuddle first thing every morning from both my husband and me, and comes back often for more throughout the day. Darby is a talking cat. He chirps at the crows through the window as he watches them in the yard. He purr-meows so it always sounds like he is singing to us. His favorite thing to do when he wants attention is to jump up where he can reach our face, and he reaches out with paw and taps our lips. That means, "Hey you...LOVE ME"! Have you ever seen Simon's Cat on Youtube? That's Darby to a tee.

I love Darby so much. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would have died if he had stayed with that other family. Now, we enjoy a spunky, charming, incredibly loving cat. Darby...I love you!

Every community has feral and abandoned cats. People have the mistaken idea that cats can take care of themselves if they are just dumped any old place. The farm we used to live near in Vermont was the constant recipient of unwanted cats dumped overnight in their barn. No thought was given as to whether the farmers WANTED or NEEDED anymore cats, or to the rough life that a barn cat leas. It is better than being in the wild, and most farmers care for and adore their cats, but the cats work hard for a living, and face dangers from farm equipment and being underfoot of 1,000 pound cows. Find out what you can do to help feral cats find a better life in your community.