Happy February, Team TNR!

Most people would not use the words “feral” and “valentine” in the same sentence. But you, my dears, are not “most people.” And oh, how I wish most people were more like you.

Were it not for you, February might be the cruelest month for our community cats. The weather is unforgiving, resources are scarce, and love is little more than a rumor for a free-roaming cat without a family.

But the TNR cats of Tabby’s Place do have a family. Even more, they have all-season valentines. That’s you!

Your big hearts have been busy this month. Closest to home are the colony cats from last year’s monumental project. Although we’ve been calling them “the great 138,” when all was said and done, there were over 160 cats between the two sickly colonies we rescued.

Please take time to marvel at what you’ve done!

That’s one hundred sixty cats who will not face the ferocity of February alone. One hundred sixty sweet souls who will never go one day without love. One hundred sixty mewing miracles who are, in a very real way, all your cats.

Hearts are un-breaking daily at Tabby’s Place, as the colony cats continue learning to trust us. Dear sponsors, it is a volley of valentines as we see the light turn on in each one’s eyes.

Since we last checked in, the previously-petrified Chromium, Nerf, Aluminum, and Hydrogen have all made leaps and bounds towards letting us love them. (Breaking news: Aluminum has been adopted!)

Yet even as all eyes are on the “great 138+,” the quiet, world-changing work of TNR continues in all directions.

Your monthly donation ensures that every cat in our colonies is a loved cat. If they turn up sick or injured, they will come into Tabby’s Place right away. They receive the same level of care as any Tabby’s Place cat. After all, family is family.

This month’s labors of love included trapping an unexpected arrival at a youth correctional facility near Tabby’s Place. This wily little gentleman made it clear he does not wish to be an indoor cat. Loving him well meant settling him into a safe new outdoor home where he can thrive.

In bittersweet news, I must introduce you to a valentine whose time with us was too short. A trapper with a heart of gold noticed a shy newcomer to his colony. The little tabby with the big tummy warmed to his friendship, and he was able to catch her easily. She basked in our touch as though she’d been waiting for it all her life.

Whatever sadness was behind her, Doris (as we named her) was determined to delight in this moment. If you’ve ever seen the sweet, sunny Doris Day films of the 1960s, you’ll agree this little lady was aptly named.

But we would have to make the most of those moments.

Doris had an aggressive mass in her abdomen. The most loving option was palliative care. We nestled Doris in the foster home of our selfless veterinary technician, Jess. The whole family doted on Doris, making up for all the missed Valentine’s days gone by.

But all too soon, Doris slipped away. She passed peacefully in her sleep. She was warm and safe, and she knew she was loved. I can’t thank you enough for making this possible by making her “your” cat, dear sponsors.

Most hearts cannot bear the depths of grief and heights of hope we know. But for hearts as brave as yours, there are valentines everywhere.

I will close this month’s update by introducing you to Roberta.

We do not know how many Februaries Roberta endured alone. Blind, underweight, and threadbare, she came to us looking like she’d lived a thousand winters without a single Valentine’s Day.

To make matters worse, our vet team detected a suspicious lump under her skin. It seemed as though “hello” and “goodbye” might overlap in a puddle of tears.

But love had other plans.

Like Doris, Roberta was lavished with love in foster care with skilled staff. Our amazing Drew and Jae each cared for the elderly tabby, helping her to navigate and feel secure. Roberta began to eat with gusto, piling on much-needed weight.

This was not the end, but the beginning.

As I type these words, we are preparing for Roberta to move into our Community Room, a sun-filled oasis for seniors, survivors, and sweethearts.

There are many ways to love a feral valentine. But there are no words to thank you enough for loving them so generously.

On behalf of Roberta, Doris, “the great 138+,” and every cat in our care, thank you for your compassion. You are love itself, and we are blessed beyond measure to have you in our Tabby’s Place family!

Love, your correspondent,
Angela