Happy May, Team TNR!

In this season of tulips and tenderness, it’s only right that we begin with news as sweet as spring itself.

Our woolly wonder, Wooderson (pictured at left), has been adopted!

We’re hardly astonished, as this bashful boy was born to be adored. Wooderson’s new, true life has begun, and he’ll forever have you to thank for making this possible.

“Possibility” is prancing through the halls of Tabby’s Place like a flower child this May, with “hope” frolicking fast on its heels.

One weary tabby, in particular, has a new spring in his step.

Although he shares his name with a legendary British prime minister, Churchill hasn’t been following King Charles’ coronation news. He’s been too busy just keeping his eye on survival.

Yes, that is “eye,” singular.

Churchill was the kind of cat who generally goes unseen, slinking beneath the radar at life’s margins. But the extended Tabby’s Place family looks through love’s lenses, and feral Churchill was about to be found.

Earlier this spring, a kindhearted woman spotted Churchill on her property, emaciated and squinting. On closer inspection, his left eye appeared to be bleeding.

She connected with an angel we’ll call J., who just happens to be Tabby’s Place’s most expert, compassionate trapper.

When J. is on the case, no cat is forgotten, and no adventure is too difficult. J. waited over three hours to trap shy Churchill, watching patiently for his arrival. As is often the case with savvy feral cats, Churchill was suspicious of the trap…but his own hunger prevailed, and he slipped inside.

V for victory! J. whisked him to safety, heartbroken to discover that Churchill was under eight pounds — a wisp of what a robust, healthy young male cat should weigh.

Over the course of the next two weeks, Churchill would gain over two pounds…but he bore a heavy weight. His infected eye was only getting worse, and removing it would be his only hope for a healthy, long life.

Dear sponsors, it’s at this point that you stepped into the story. Most of the world never even notices a cat like Churchill, but you’ve opened your heart to our extended feral “family.” In a very real way, Churchill and all our TNR cats are yours.

And, thanks to you, they know that they’re loved.

For Churchill, “love” translated into expert medical care. Our team removed his eye, neutered him, and prescribed a course of post-surgical care including pain management. Our angel trapper J. took Churchill home and gently cared for him throughout his recovery. J. reports that Churchill is a champion, eating well, playing with toys, and growing stronger every day.

And thanks to you, J., and Tabby’s Place, Churchill’s springtime has only just begun.

Given his feral spirit, Churchill has returned to his safe outdoor home, where he will receive ongoing care and vigilant monitoring. The day he was released, he leapt like a rabbit (in J.’s own wonderful words), springing forward into a life of health and wholeness.

Some would scoff and say he’s “just a stray,” and all this tenderness is “too much.”

But you, living behind lenses of love, know that every cat is worth our every effort.

To you, Churchill is as precious as the languid tabby in your lap. To Tabby’s Place, you’re the very picture of a hero, because your heart reaches the littlest, the last, and the lost.

Thank you for seeing our Churchill, and all our cats, through your eyes of love. It is a true honor to serve them with you!

With much affection from your correspondent,
Angela