15 years ago, I was devastated when I lost my precious kitty, Oopie, who had been my best friend for 17 of the best years of my life. A year later, a friend told me that there was a veterinary clinic in her neighborhood where they rescued cats who were reaching the end of their time in shelters and were going to be euthanized. She said she often took her children to play with the kitties, and had found one she thought would be perfect for me, if I was ready. I wasn't, not really, but I didn't want to be rude and was touched by her thoughtfulness, so I decided just to go meet the kitty but not adopt.
However, how do you walk in to a shelter and just walk out empty-handed? For me it wasn't possible, so, reluctantly, I said, fine, I'll take him. But the people running the shelter were dismayed. "You would take him without his brother?! Just look how bonded they are!!" They guilted me into taking the brother too. Then, I discovered a "secret" room where some brand new kittens were kept. There were about 10 of them piled in an armchair, all about the size of cotton balls. I had never seen anything sweeter or cuter in all my life! I just absolutely had to have one, and it was agony picking just one, but somehow I pulled it off. So, instead of walking out with no cats, as I had intended, I walked out with 3!!!
Cat Connection neutered them when they were ready, at no cost to me. They all developed diarrhea and, again, they gave me meds at no charge. One of them developed a scary illness which they treated also for no charge. Then, 2 months later, the hottest day ever on record (113 degrees). I woke up that day in a sweat because the AC in my building had stopped working. In a panic, I called Cat Connection to see if I could bring my kitties there until the AC was fixed, and they again did not charge me but allowed me to bring all 3 back to them to board. The AC was not fixed until the night, and I was so paranoid that it would go out again that I asked for the kitties to stay another day, which again was allowed.
In the 14 ensuing years, these 3 cats (Eensy, Beensy, and Teensy) have been the lights of my life. They are the best cats ever! They never bite or scratch, they all sleep with me without ever disturbing me, and they are so adorable and sweet, in particular Teensy, who was the last one I chose from that armchair of powder puffs. He still thinks he's that kitten of several weeks, while the others behave like the sedate middle-aged gentlemen they are. All 4 of us moved back to my native Croatia several months ago and, although the move itself was extremely challenging, to say the least, we are all so happy here living on a magical Adriatic island. Life here is wonderful, but without them, it would be so much poorer. Thank you so very much to Adrienne and Cat Connection for being the source of so much happiness for all of us. And keep up the GREAT work!!
Previous Stories
Just as everyone favors their children over everyone else's, I think my cats are absolutely the best in the world. So, although I'm sure there are many, many worthy animal groups out there, for me there can never be one better than Cat Connection because my 3 wonderful "Poozers" came from there. Cat Connection often rescues cats from their very last days at shelters, and now having lived with these amazing, magical creatures for 2 1/2 years, I never cease uttering fervent prayers of thanksgiving to Cat Connection for having snatched them from the very jaws of death. It also breaks my heart to think that there are so very, very many more of them out there, each one its own amazing wonderful little individual personality (of course none as great as the Poozers, but still wonderful!). The fact that Cat Connection is out there with zero money fighting to save as many as they can, and giving them a great interim home in the "Cattery" at Beverly Oaks Hospital where they can play and be uncaged, is a miracle on a daily basis. One of my Poozers got sick with a respiratory infection right after I brought him home, and they took him back and nursed him back to health free of charge. They also let me board all 3 there shortly thereafter when we had the hottest day in recorded LA history and my building had a days-long power outage. Despite their lack of funds, they helped me when I needed them, because for them it's all about the animals, and they will selflessly do everything they can to make sure no animal is left in need. Please support them in any way you can!
I've been a "foster mom" for almost 20 years. This is a wonderful organization started by a regular woman who saw the need. 100% of donations go to the animals for food, medical care and the cost to bail them out of the city shelters (the pound). No animals are ever kept in cages. The cats are either fostered in a volunteers home or in "the cattery". The cattery is a room full of kitty condos, ramps and trees where the cats can be seen daily. It's located next to Beverly Oaks Animal Hospital in Sherman Oaks at 14302 Ventura Blvd.
There are NO EMPLOYEES. All goes DIRECTLY to the animals. This is a small, home-grown, grass-roots 503c charity. All donations are fully tax deductible.
They have many cats and kittens for adoption. You can visit their website at www.catconnectionLA.org to see the animals or find out more information. Please contact them if you're looking to adopt a cat, or are interested in volunteering.
Thank you,
Donni
Review from Guidestar