Lucky 13: The Last of the Abandoned Ridgefield Cats Find Homes
On September 30th, when the first crew of dog walkers showed up at 5:45 am at the Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue shelter (ROAR) in Connecticut, they found thirteen cats and kittens stuffed into five cardboard carriers, at the front door of the shelter.
The abandoned cats were caked in urine and feces and all needed shots and de-worming. Some required surgery, some needed spaying. The ROAR staff and a cadre of veterinarians fired into action to care for them.
“We’re blessed at ROAR,” Jane Turner (the group’s president) said Monday, “because while we occasionally see the worst in people, we so often get to see the very best. We had a wonderful, generous response from the community when the story broke in October. Happily, each of the 13 cats and kittens abandoned at the Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue shelter in early October has been adopted “and is settled in a loving home for the holidays.”
The last cat to find a home was MacKenzie, a 1-yr-old female orange tabby. She was adopted by Samantha King, and King’s 5-year-old daughter, Charlotte, is happy to have MacKenzie as a new family member.
“Charlotte had seen MacKenzie through the shelter window one afternoon when we stopped by, but the shelter was closed,” said King of her daughter’s first view of the cat. “We came back the next day,” she related, “and MacKenzie jumped right up on Charlotte’s shoulder. It was love at first sight for both of them.”
“We’re ready to take MacKenzie home,” she said. “She has some jingle ball toys and a new bed. She’ll be sleeping in the bedroom with Charlotte.”
Two weeks ago, Arlene Litt took another female cat, Honu, home to be a special friend to her 10-year-old daughter, Rachel. Rachel is autistic, and Litt wanted to be sure a cat would meet her special needs.
“Honu has been a wonderful match for our family,” said Litt, who also has a 12-year-old son, Jacob. “She’s a very affectionate tortoise shell, about 18 months old. Honu was very skittish the first couple of days at the house,” she explained, “but she seemed to realize that she got a lot of attention when she came out of hiding. Now she’s extremely playful, tearing into rooms, flying across the wood floor, and startling herself,” Litt described. “She has the run of the house.”
Many people sent checks, large and small, to cover the costs of the cats’ care, especially the expensive surgery six of them needed. “It’s heartening to know that in this tough economy so many in our community respond with such a giving, caring spirit,” said Turner.
Donations to help with veterinary care and shelter housing for other dogs and cats can be made online at www.roar-ridgefield.org or by sending a check made out to ROAR to 45 South St., Ridgefield, CT 06877.
[PHOTO/STORY CREDIT: Newstimes.com]
I can’t believe that orangie girl wasn’t grabbed up first – orange female tabbies are rare! What a sweetie – I almost said the cat looked like Calvin, and then read it was a girl (oh well, Calvin is pretty enough to be a girl)! I’m glad they all have new homes!
WOOHOO!!!!!!! Local News! ROAR is a fabulous shelter, and Linda who is in charge of the cats is amazing! The cats roam free in their own room, with low windows, special shelves to hide on and lots of toys.
They helped me when Dillon showed up, I had him neutered, chipped and got his shots – and Linda took him in a week later. He lasted 2 days before he got scooped up, and his family adores him! We adored him too, but we never saw a cat hates dogs as much as him.
Another piece of trivia about ROAR – it’s also called the D’Onofrio Family Shelter – because one of IBM’s Senior VP’s (now retired and very much loved & missed ) and his wife donated a lot to get them started. I believe she may still be on the Board – not sure.
WOO HOO!!! Yea for the kitties and God Bless all who helped them!
This is so touching!
:D:D:D:D:D:D
All cats should have a place to stay and food
to eat! And look how cute it is!!!
Awwwhhhh!!!