Willie's Story: A Shelter Stands By Him From Kitten to Senior Cat

willieforrelease — *Willie, in younger days*

Cat Care Society Builds 2012 Holiday Appeal Around Rescue Cat ‘Willie,’ Sharing Powerful Reasons to Support Its Shelter, Clinic and Community Programs

Cat Care Society (CCS),Denver/ Lakewood, Colorado’s limited admission cage free cat shelter, has built its annual year-end holiday appeal around the success of recent work with a senior cat named Willie. Willie’s compelling story spans several years and shows the Cat Care Society’s code of not giving up on any cat and is timed with CCS participation in the GivingFirst.org Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 4th

May 12, 2010: Hello, there! I’m Willie. I was adopted from Cat Care Society as a kitten, and my people loved me for eight long years. Then mom died, and dad went to a nursing home, and there was no one left to care for me, so I came back here. My second home loved me, but I was shy and afraid of the dog, so they brought me back after seven months. I am very affectionate and outgoing when I get settled into a place, though I am very shy with new people (unless they come bearing food). I am a big guy, and very handsome, and I am very good with other cats. I would make a great compliment to a quiet home.

Willie’s little greeting to potential adopters is from May of 2010, when he was back at the shelter for the third time over the course of several years and having his turn as Cat of the Month. Willie waited two more years before finally getting another home in May of 2012.

CCS board president Diane Stoner says: “Willie’s compelling story spans several years and shows the Cat Care Society’s code of not giving up on any cat, and the CCS team’s determination to find all its cat residents the perfect ‘forever home.’ The appeal is concurrent with our second year of participation in Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, December 4.”

Willie’s Story – Beginning Nearly A Dozen Years ago

A kind-hearted rescuer brought Willie to CCS as a shy five-month-old stray who had wandered into someone’s back yard. He seemed wary of humans – but three days later, a senior couple with no other pets adopted him, and he thrived in their home for several years. Then one day his “Mom” died; shortly afterward, “Dad” went into assisted living. The family returned Willie to CCS.

The little guy was grieving, and the CCS team had trouble getting him to eat. A month later, his next chance came – adoption by a family with two teenagers. Alas, this new home lasted only seven months, as the father found that he couldn’t adjust to living with a cat. Back to CCS came Willie.

But the staff and volunteers did what they always do – showered the now-nine-years-old tuxedo boy, Willie, with attention, affection…and food. Over the next three years, Willie slowly responded to all the loving care in a safe environment. Although he was passed over for adoption several times – senior cats still sometimes take longer to place – he began again to come out of his shell.

Finally, in May of this year, Willie found his permanent home, when a kind and affable woman named Dee adopted him. Dee, who has no other pets, reported recently that Willie “is doing great…going through a whole cooked chicken per week (white meat only, thank you very much!”) – and most important, he is loved and safe.

Willie’s story had its share of frustration and loss, but ultimately it’s the same uplifting tale of second chances and tireless devotion by the Cat Care Society caregivers. CCS does not receive any government funding; all financial support comes from the community in the form of private donations.

This is the second year for Cat Care Society’s participation in Colorado Gives Day. Similar to past years, processing fees will be covered by Community First Foundation, FirstBank and local foundations so that 100 percent of Colorado Gives Day donations go directly to nonprofit organizations such as CCS.

Link directly to the Cat Care Society donation page on the GivingFirst.org platform at: https://www.givingfirst.org/index.php?section=organizations&action=newDonation&fwID=28010

About Cat Care Society

Founded in 1981, CCS is a nonprofit organization established to improve the quality of life for homeless, injured and abused cats in the Denver metropolitan area. The Society’s goals are:

To sponsor educational programs that promote responsible pet ownership, humane treatment of all animals, and the elimination of pet overpopulation;
To shelter cats in a healthy, cage free environment and to find compatible and responsible families for every cat;
To provide community outreach programs that improve the quality of life for cats and people;
To be a friend to all cats.

The CCS is supported by a number of loyal members and contributors, without whom the shelter could not operate. CCS receives no government funding. For more information, visit http://www.catcaresociety.org