Today‘s blizzard had me feeling sad thinking about the many cats that are without shelter. When your passion in life is Animal Rescue and the resources aren’t there and you aren’t in top shape to do the “Hands-On Work in the Field” a day like today can be depressing. This is the kind of day that finds you worrying about the cats that are getting zero help in close to zero weather.  I received an email from another woman going through the same concerns and offering to help so it's a small comfort to know I'm not the only one who wants to help them.

So, I was sitting around feeling a little down and listening to an audio book by Jack Canfield. He asked the question: “If you had 3 wishes what would they be?” Easy: 

1. Unlimited funds so that I could begin creating Sanctuaries and Shelters. I have a Project Plan ready to go! A building for Recovery and Holding Space; a Van for transport to Adoption Events and Excellent Drivers to get them there and back. 
2. Dedicated workers who can work as a Team in the Shelter; Recovery Space; Holding Space; Adoption Events; Sanctuaries and In-the-Field.
3. Consciousness so that I can always follow my Higher Self with Clarity and Focus. 

As I thought about how I would proceed with this venture I got a call from Bruce.  Bruce is the kind of guy I wish I could sponsor: He’s a dedicated Model Rescuer and his eye is on the Cat; the Cat and no one but the Cat!  That’s why when Bruce called my mood went up right away. Bruce is a die-hard rescuer and he still makes miracles with very little on hand. Today, he sent me a picture of last night’s rescue. This is what Bruce calls a "Lifer" and what this means is that he doesn't expect to find a home for him but he's not leaving him outside. 

This cat is not exotic; not a kitten and not the best bet for adoption. This is a cat who was once someone’s housecat. Yet, Bruce couldn’t leave him out in the desolate area where he was surviving while this blizzard was pending in just a few hours.   I think Bruce recognizes the incredible Energy that is this cat!  The personality that says Survivor and Companion; those qualities that make for a great Friend. 

Bruce is part of my Tribe and so are most of my FaceBook Friends and they too have these qualities along with Like Mindedness.   I always learn lessons from them and the lessons aren’t always about trapping and rescue.  But let me not digress: Getting back to Sad Sack:  The sound of the can opener is this cat’s absolute Best Friend. He comes right out for a meal when he hears this sound.  In this picture, his personality comes right through: He eyed the water bowl; saw the dogs around it; decided they weren’t a threat and decided to go right for the water – he would take the chance. This cat just wants food and a nice home. He is not neutered (yet) and he already tested negative for Leukemia and Aids. 

Bruce has another Lifer named Clueless. He had leg issues that mandated his immediate rescue and is ridiculously sweet. Clueless and Sad Sack have already decided they will be friends.  The names are stories in themselves:  Clueless was the kind of trapping that only required picking him up and putting him in a carrier and as Bruce puts it "Sad Sack always looks at you as if you’re the IRS with a Summons for him.”

I also got another bit of good news today, the kind that makes me feel Grateful: A colony that Bruce and I TNR’d has been living in the woman’s garage. Another rescuer posted "Shelters for Free"  for any cats in need (we need more networking and teamwork like this.)   When I told her about the offer this woman advised me that she was grateful for the offer but she had already bought 2 heated shelters and was expecting a third today. The good news just keeps rolling in!

Through the eyes of a Caretaker, Rescuer and Friend to the Helpless. Welcome.

This blog was supposed to be my first book that, like an egg that is left uncooked for too long – goes bad.  I started writing this “book” in January 18, 1999 with a very optimistic outlook and looking through pink glasses; today, I am wiser and not as naïve.  I decided to take the opportunity to use this blog to share events that led to my becoming  “The Cat Lady.”   Maybe the delay was a kind of  good thing because a lot has happened since I stopped writing and there’s an extra dimension to the rescuer that I can address now.

The cats that have become a permanent part of my indoor colony are  not adoptable because of too many reasons that I can’t  understand:  too old at  2 months; has Fiv; has  Felv; is not a lapcat; not friendly enough, rescued from the streets, not declawed, sheds too much or just not pretty enough.  In one instance a pedigree was up for adoption.  We had of course gotten him neutered at 6 months of age.  “You ruined him!” the woman cried.  (I had to laugh – she sounded just like the pretentious woman in the commercial for Smuckers who keeps saying  “They’re Preserves not Jelly!”)  The potential Show Cat/Breeder decided not to adopt him.  Good thing, I’ve seen what some Breeders put cats through.  Some of my permanent guests are not socialized, they’re learning to trust me but will lose all trust with anyone else  – they are semi feral.  It can take up to two years for one of these “semi ferals” to decide to take a really special treat out of your hand.

I started doing rescue one cat at a time, never dreaming that I would eventually become the person people called when a cat was homeless or in trouble.  Doing rescue tends to snowball and pretty soon you’re the “Expert” in the area.  Be careful, hoarding is the next step on this lonely ladder if you’re not careful.

It has been over 20 years since my first rescue.   My experiences have exposed me to many types of rescue situations; rescue groups; cats and people.  The entire rescue “landscape” has changed with the introduction of “Umbrella” groups and bunching of rescue groups.  TNR is currently the new hope of curbing the stray overpopulation.

While my lifestyle has suffered because of expenses involved in rescue, I don’t regret any of the time or money spent on rescues.  Some of the people I’ve met have served to educate me as to what is wrong with people in general so I’ve had to do some serious self development along the way.  I dislike the rescuer who’ll run out to take kittens off your hands but refuse to even consider the homeless mom cat.  The entire Journey has been a Spiritual Path where I’ve grown as a person and see the world through very different eyes; I have learned to talk to total strangers without letting their opinions overwhelm me (well, on a good day.)  I used to be a very shy individual and when I first started asking for donations I actually stuttered despite having a High School and College theatre background.

I want people to know that rescue work will not generate financial prosperity; like a Random Act of Kindness, it’s a reward in itself.  Your sense of satisfaction; self trust and self confidence increase your worth as a person.  You become a better person all around.  When I look at Sweetie Pie, one of my rescues, I see that I gave her the opportunity to become a beautiful and loved cat.  If I had not trapped her, she would have been run over by a train after going through sickness and trauma while trying to survive on the train tracks where she was abandoned at 8 weeks of age.

I grew up in various areas of NY and one of the constants everywhere that we moved to were abandoned kittens, cats and dogs.  In those days, dogs were tied to fences and the ASPCA truck would pick them up on a designated day of the week.  People have not changed very much today.
Maybe the frustration of not being able to help them has led to my insistence now that people stop putting these animals into harm’s way.  I want to say, “Listen people, animals starve, suffer and die because you insist on being irresponsible and ignorant.  Please CARE!  Love the animals; love each other!  If you can’t/won’t love them, then leave them alone.”  It seems like a weak cry into a very strong wind.