In dire situations, who gets to decide the worth of a life?
Regrettably, for countless cats and dogs, the answer lies in the hands of an overburdened, underfunded shelter system. These shelters, tirelessly dedicated to their mission, strive to make the best of a challenging situation. However, for animals with extensive needs, especially severe injuries or illnesses, viable options become scarce.
Yet, among the clouds of despair, miracles do occur, and one such miracle bears the name Tabby’s Place—a sanctuary for cats in dire circumstances. Here, these feline lives are not just cherished but celebrated, imbued with the care and dignity they so rightly deserve.
Meet Ponce de Leon
Ponce de Leon, a radiant orange cat, sits gracefully at the base of a sisal cat tree. With his pale green-yellow eyes and long, elegant white whiskers, he emanates positivity personified. Ponce’s life took a turn towards hope when he was rescued from the harsh life of a stray and found himself in the refuge of a special-needs cat sanctuary.
Ponce possesses an insatiable capacity for love, extending it generously to both cats and humans. However, his path has not been devoid of obstacles. Like many cats with FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) or FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), Ponce’s health journey experiences occasional rain showers. Periodically, he grapples with eosinophilic plaque, a skin condition managed with steroids. Additionally, Ponce contends with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a form of heart disease. Presently, his HCM requires no medication, but it is monitored through biannual cardiac ultrasounds—a minor inconvenience in an otherwise joyous life.
Fortunately, Ponce found his way to Tabby’s Place, where he is enveloped in love, care, and, of course, medical attention. But what he longs for most is a forever family to call his own—a loving home to be cherished.
A Sanctuary of Hope
Angela Hartley, the Development Director at Tabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuary, oversees this haven nestled in Ringoes, New Jersey. Tabby’s Place stands as a world-class, cage-free sanctuary that opens its doors to the neediest cats, irrespective of their age, medical conditions, or temperament. It is a harbor of hope for those in dire need, with a particular emphasis on Special Needs cats. At any given time, between 30% to 40% of Tabby’s Place residents grapple with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or paraplegia.
Angela offers these words: “Tabby’s Place is a ‘sanctuary’ in the truest sense—a refuge of hope for those forgotten by the world, a kingdom of kindness for the weakest, the last, and the lost. At Tabby’s Place, it is precisely the most vulnerable, fragile, and ‘challenging’ cats who are championed, cherished, and unconditionally adored.”
For cats like Ponce de Leon, who may have run out of options elsewhere, Tabby’s Place steps in as their beacon of hope. “Our hearts resonate with cats in the direst circumstances, and it is our privilege to rewrite their stories,” Angela continues. “The word ‘hopeless’ simply does not exist in the Tabby’s Place lexicon. As we nurture the neediest cats, we have the honor of demonstrating how invaluable and precious their lives truly are.”
Curious about life working with these incredible cats? Angela shares her perspective:
“I’ve been at Tabby’s Place for over fifteen years now, and I will never cease to be wonderstruck by the atmosphere of complete, unconditional love. I often think of our sanctuary as a kind of ‘living parable,’ an outpost of mercy in what can often be a lonely world. Not only our cats, but our staff, 200+ volunteers, and beloved donors and encouragers form a strong community of love, where everyone is embraced for who they are, exactly as they are. So often, I get the sense that the ‘Tabby’s Place way’ is a glimpse of the way life is meant to be for every living creature. The cats are truly our leaders and our inspirations in this labor of love, as they give their hearts freely and live each moment to the fullest, with no self-pity or cynicism. The only requirement for being loved and safe at Tabby’s Place is to show up, full of need.”
Meet Hips
Hips, a white cat adorned with striking black markings and vibrant green eyes, lounges atop a plush carpeted cat tree. His story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. Hips endured a severe injury, with the sanctuary’s veterinarian suspecting that he had been struck by a car. This ordeal left him with nerve damage and a pulled tail, rendering his left shoulder numb. Moreover, he can no longer urinate or defecate without assistance. Despite these challenges, Hips stands tall, radiating a spirit that refuses to yield to adversity.
His caretakers testify, “When it comes to friendship, Hips just can’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” His indomitable spirit leads him to traverse the sanctuary with the grace of a prowling leopard, leaving a trail of swagger in his wake.
How You Can Make a Difference for Cats Like Ponce and Hips
Angela expresses, “We rely on the boundless kindness of compassionate individuals, with over 90% of our support stemming from generous donations.”
Here are various ways you can support the cats at Tabby’s Place:
- Sponsorship: Consider sponsoring one of the sanctuary’s Special Needs cats by making monthly donations. In return, you’ll receive heartfelt monthly updates and photos, establishing a cherished connection with a long-term resident. Sponsorships also make excellent gifts, with both the giver and recipient receiving monthly updates and sharing a feline friend to love throughout the year.
- Donate in Honor: Honor a loved one by making a donation in their name. This touching gesture not only pays tribute to someone special but also supports the sanctuary’s vital work.
- Social Media Advocacy: Serve as an ambassador for the cats by following and sharing Tabby’s Place residents on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- Adopt: Consider adopting a cat like Ponce or Hips and provide them with a loving forever home.
Your support, in any form, plays a pivotal role in transforming the lives of cats in desperate need and ensuring that places like Tabby’s Place continue to be havens of hope for these extraordinary feline souls.
