At Tabby’s Place, building community is highly cherished. In this very special building, cats and people come together to create a community like no other.
There are loads of annual events – on-site and off – that staff and volunteers participate in. As much as possible, there are information booths at festivals, expos, and fairs in New Jersey and in nearby Pennsylvania. Therapy cats, including Trifecta, Colonel Peabody, and Berry, visit local libraries, seniors, and more to bring love and purrs wherever they go. Visitors are invited to meet the cats at open houses and special sponsorship and adoption events. But, there is so much more!
Thanks to the amazing Karina, Volunteer Director, and fabulous Jae, Volunteer Coordinator, Tabby’s Place welcomes groups like the Girl Scouts to come learn about the ins and outs of Tabby’s Place and to enjoy some fun time or cuddle time with the cats.
On a recent Sunday, by prior arrangement, several Girl Scouts and their chaperones came for a tour, to do a chore or more, and to spend some quality time in the ark that Jonathan built. It was a pleasure to show avid cat lovers through a place where love knows no bounds. It was a treat better than any cookies to tell them about the whys, wherefores, and wherehows of Tabby’s Place. It was an honor to show them the ropes of glass and surface cleaning. It was hilarious to “lose” one of the participants to the mercy of a cat.
Murdock knew exactly what he was about when he committed a total lap takeover. His “victim” was willing, sure. Who wouldn’t be? Fortunately, the other scouts were willing to sacrifice additional hands for the tasks at hand. After all, there were plenty of hands on hand to spare two for Murdock’s comfort and happiness.
Each of the scouts knew the value of their own laps too. Besides, Murdock’s wasn’t the only victim that day. A few doors farther down, cleaning rags and spray bottles ready for the job, and there was a coup! In suite E, Juel tried to make sure that each of the scouts that came in would be too busy doling out love to be able to get any work done. He enlisted the help of Davey, Hannah, Rocky, and the rest to swindle their way into the scouts’ hearts. It nearly worked!
Yet, somehow, despite best efforts by the cats otherwise, the tasks were completed. Windows, doors, knobs, and more were cleaned to a shining gleam. And, then it was time for the official visit in Quinn’s Corner.
Trifecta, Luke, and Francois (Bien sur!) charmed and cuddled. Regina George, Kitty Purry, Leonard DiCatrio, and Braveheart all came out to play. Balls were rolled. Wand toys were waved. Many scritches were scritched in just exactly the right places. And, of course, Clifford took over adult laps one by one and purred his way into their hearts, as is his way.
At the end of the afternoon it was difficult to tell who was happier, the cats or the scouts. Going out on a limb, probably both were too happy to tell the difference. And, what a difference it makes when enterprising young people, the adults who care for them, and the cats that they wish to help all unite for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.
Kindness was the real work of the day. Love was the result of hard work and attentive, affectionate play. Hand on heart, it was the very best kind of day for both the people and the cats. Scout’s honor!