Sanctuary gives felines a chance for happy, forever homes

(Astrid)       

Mike and Lisa Gordon started rescuing cats in August 2017 after a small kitten wandered into their back yard.

        Even after their Pyrenees dogs chased the kitten away, it stuck around and sought shelter in some pallets they had stacked. They took the kitten in and Mrs. Gordon decided she wanted to start rescuing and rehoming cats. By October of 2017, the Gordon’s had filed the paperwork to become a nonprofit organization called The Jazz Cat Sanctuary.

        Many cats rescued there were brought in after being abused or abandoned. One cat was found being shot at with paintball guns; another was found after being thrown at a dumpster. Some were ditched in parking lots.

        The sanctuary strives to rehome their cats exposed to such trauma to loving and trusting people.  

        “I promise these cats when they come in is that they will never have to worry again,” Mrs. Gordon said “It’s really important that they have good lives when they leave here.”

        The Jazz Cat Sanctuary has many goals to ensure the greatest quality of life for these felines. One goal is to make every cat feel at home and to open up socially. They’ve had great success with taking in feral cats that become social and adoptable.

        As many as 125 cats have been available for adoption on the property, but currently, there are more than 80 cats up for adoption. The Gordons would like to see the numbers drop to between 20 and 30.

        A couple of volunteers help out by feeding the cats and cleaning up after them. One woman, in particular, commits every Thursday evening to scrub litter boxes and fil food dishes and water bowls. When Mrs. Gordon got severely ill in June with pneumonia, this volunteer helped a great deal. 

        “We are always in need of volunteers but finding people who are willing to commit to coming in once a week, twice a week, once a month or whatever they can do is very difficult,” Mr. Gordon said. 

        Mr. Gordon works two full-time jobs in order to fund the sanctuary and take care of the cats. After bills, vet visits, cat food, cat litter, and putting gas in their cars, finances can get so tight that the Gordons have many times chosen to put feeding the cats above feeding themselves.

        “We probably have over $3,000 owed out to vets right now and that’s because it's a constant thing it's always going to be something,” Mrs. Gordon said. 

        The regular adoption rate for kittens under 1 year is $100, while cats over a year are $75. However, the sanctuary occasionally has adoption specials where fees will be lower. The Gordons keep all their cats up to date on vaccinations and procedures. 

        Recently the sanctuary was invited to be a part of an international cat show. They took 21 of their most adoptable cats. Of those 21 17 received ribbons, and seven won additional ribbons and plaques. Nineteen got adopted there. The judges were shocked to hear that the cats they were judging were shelter cats.

        Committing to being a rescuer is no easy task, it comes with a great amount of stress, the Gordons note, but watching these felines win awards and be rehomed to loving families makes the difficult times worth it.

        “Every rescuer will tell you this is something they have to do,” Mrs. Gordon said. “It’s a calling.”