We bought an old farmhouse without a farm. It's in the city (of Eustis, Florida) and little did we know it would come with cats! Having several cats of our own who loved to hang out on our porch, we'd leave some food and water out for them. One morning we came downstairs to find four adorable kittens playing amongst the porch furniture and food dishes. It was then that we came to learn of the very real issues our city was having with feral and abandoned cats. They're also called "community cats" and they rely on compassionate people to give them food and shelter. Once we saw the overwhelming need, we stepped up to do whatever we could to help them. Through the course of the past several years, we've transformed our property into a sanctuary, with multiple sheds and catios where the cats are housed and fed. We've gotten them veterinary treatment as needed and taken on the expense of having them spayed or neutered, whether we can afford it or not, and we usually can't. It's a commitment, and it's also a struggle. But once they're here, they're family. We want them to know that they'll never be abandoned or homeless again. Some have had underlying medical issues, such as feline leukemia and FIP, plus a few very rare illnesses that even our vets had never encountered before! It's been an often-heartbreaking journey, but all the little triumphs, and the love they give in return, will always make it worth the sorrow. And if we don't give them a chance, who will? That's why we're committed to taking them in and giving them a safe and beautiful home where they can live out their lives knowing the love, compassion and security of a forever family, and a place that will always be theirs.
, Eustis FL, USA