Happy May, Team TNR.

I hope your hearts are frolicking through these sweet springy days. Sometimes I stop and remind myself just what remarkable people you are, choosing — month after month — to give to cats you’ll likely never meet, all for love’s sake. I can never fully express all my thanks for your kindness. Please know how extraordinary you are! It truly gives me peace that there are human beings like you in our world.

And, thanks to you, the world is looking a lot sweeter for some special kitties this month.

You may recall lovely tortie Laura from last month’s update. In the whirlwind of her arrival at Tabby’s Place, I didn’t initially hear her wild tale. But it seems Laura is a master of timing. Remember I’d mentioned that Laura gave birth to her kittens shortly after arriving at Tabby’s Place? That’s not quite right.

As it happened, Laura gave birth almost immediately after being trapped. That’s right: little Leland, Benjamin, Diane, Dale and Cooper were born in the trap itself! Laura’s trappers suddenly faced much more than they’d bargained for, so they contacted Tabby’s Place. Happily, we had a foster family ready for Laura and her littles, and today they’re continuing to thrive in her care.

But kittens are just one corner of our TNR work, and this month made way for two very special adult cats, too. Jake and JJ were part of a colony of over 50 cats when we first heard about them. Unlike many of their neighbors, the boys were extremely friendly…but they were also FIV+. To make matters worse, Jake had a “wonky eye” that appeared to be either missing or injured.

Fortunately, Jake and JJ have stellar timing, too. Tabby’s Place has recently been blessed with a streak of adoptions from our FIV+ Suite (happy forever homes, Wolfie, Rogue and Knickers!), making room for two new residents.

From the day they arrived, these sleek sable boys have been mush-monsters, lapping up love and lavishing us with it in equal measure. Jake’s wonky eye turns out to be a case of microopthalmia, an abnormally small eye. This is a congenital defect that renders him sightless in that eye, but shouldn’t cause him any other problems.

In fact, the only problem for these beloved boys at the moment is a stubborn case of ringworm. With their suppressed immune systems, FIV+ cats are particularly vulnerable to the frustrating fungus, and JJ and Jake are spending their early Tabby’s Place days being treated in our Quarantine area. But, we know those isolation days are numbered, and a sweet life awaits in Suite FIV.

Meantime, thank you, dear sponsors. Your love is saving lives daily at Tabby’s Place, and the cats and I send you our deepest gratitude! Happy, happy May!