In memory of Fiona: “We love you and miss you every day Fiona. You touched our lives with your gentle companionship, helping to raise little Gatsby and with the loudest purr west of the Mississippi.” Remembrance by Valerie Garrett, December 2017.
In memory of Cole, aka Ch. Caledonian Cole Porter of Wolfpit, only 8 years old, beloved companion to Ken and JoAnn DeKoven. Unknown to his family, he had protein-losing enteropathy, and in December 2016 he suddenly died from cardiac arrest. Cole is survived by his adoptive quadruped siblings Arwen, Gretel, and Dakota. Remembrance donation by Dean Surkin and Jacqueline Birnbaum, December 2017.
Maria and Albert diMeglio have been great cat owners over many years and have given so much to their cats, above and beyond. Maria and Albert adopted Maria’s mother’s cats when her mother got sick. These beloved kitties of unknown age had been declining for several months and recently all passed away within two weeks of each other. Remembrance donation by Berni Leahy, December 2017
A few words about each of the cats from Maria:
Augustus, Jamie and Joseph were rescued cats who we took in when my mother got sick.
Augustus
Augustus was a big guy, very handsome and majestic. As big as he was, that’s how gentle he was. He was a true gentleman who had two girlfriends, Jamie and China, who would sleep with him and lick him on his head. We will miss this gentle soul, who was always so kind and loving to us and to his brothers and sisters. He was a trooper until the end.
Jamie
Jamie was one of Augustus’ girlfriends. She was a tuxedo cat and simply adorable. As tiny as she was, she was a holy terror with the other cats. She ruled the household in her own way. She loved to hide in the most unusual places. We will miss her big eyes and little cries. I will miss, most of all, her little head resting on my lap. She was a trooper until the end.
Joseph
Joseph was a skinny fellow but looks can be deceiving because he was very strong. He loved being petted and you could do that for hours. He was very quiet until he gave out a big wail in the middle of the night and he was always thinking as he looked around the apartment. He was also a great jumper. He loved his cat beds and enjoyed eating chicken, ham, cheese, and turkey. We loved his little black nose. He was simply so lovable. He was a trooper until the end.
We will love you always, Maria, Albert, and Julio
Homer, you were the best bunny ever. You were always a plush and cuddly bundle of personality and energy, a bouncy helicopter mini-lop with ears askew, who delighted in life. Everyone who ever met you fell in love with you. You were a great companion to Harper, later engaging us in the playtime you had once shared with her. You lived to a ripe old age with no significant health issues till the end, for which we will be forever grateful. Homer, we miss you! Love, Berni, Kent, aunties Kathy and Sheila, and your former foster family, Marcie and Larry. Remembrance donation by Judy Wolfe, December 2017.
In memory of Tyler, beloved companion of Artie and Debbie Schwartz, who lived a long happy life with his late adoptive brother Benny and recently adopted brother Toby. He passed away in November 2017, aged 16, from cancer. Remembrance donation by Dean Surkin, December 2017.
In memory of Lucy, companion to Gayle and Ed Berberian of NYC, and a welcoming friend to all in her apartment building who knew her. “Lucy was a shelter cat so we don’t know exactly how old she was but probably around 12. We hoped to have her longer but loved her so much during the 11 years we had her.” “In Remembrance of Lucy, who gave our friends Gayle & Eddie such joy in their lives. Rest in Peace, Lucy!” (Jan and Shelly Firstenberg). Remembrance donations by Gayle and Ed Berberian, Timothy & Carol McGrath, Meg Crane and Peter and Mickey Bickford, December 2017.
To help control the flow and quality of grant applications, for the past two years we have required submission of letters of inquiry (LOIs) for permission to submit complete applications. While this process may have reduced the number of applications that did not meet our criteria, it has not stopped the cascade of letters of inquiry!
2017 marked the continuation of our emphasis on smaller, more focused grants, during which we awarded 52 grants to organizations in 29 states plus the District of Columbia (a first!) totaling almost $90,000.
Our grantees continually remind us that the smallest efforts properly focused can become the seeds from which substantial efforts grow. So it is with great pride that we acknowledge each of our 2017 grant recipients.
First Step Grants
Just shy of his 15th birthday, sweet little James lost his brave fight against cancer and made his journey across the rainbow bridge. James came to Amy Sancetta as a rescue from a litter on an Amish farm. In Amy’s words, “He has been the absolute light of my life. . . . My best friend all these years, he followed me around like a little sheep. This summer we were able to take him on a bucket list trip to see family, friends and the ocean for the first time, and he had an absolutely wonderful time. We’ve been so blessed to have James in our lives, and right now it’s hard for me to picture life without him. I won the animal lottery when James chose me and I brought him home all those years ago. He will be part of my heart forever. I’ll love you forever, little buddy.” Remembrance donation by Judy Wolfe, September 2017.
In memory of April Rivkin’s wonderful 18 +/- year old cat Wendell. “About 15 years ago we wanted to adopt a second cat, and Stephen had a “thing” for Maine Coons. However when the County Shelter suggested we might like this Norwegian Forest Cat, we fell in love. Wendell was big, funny, and thrived being the center of attention. Until three weeks ago, Wendell literally greeted every person who came into the house; he was definitely the host with the most! If ignored, he would tap, tap, tap you with his right paw until petted. Sometimes a bully with the other felines, he always charming with humans. In his youth he was quite the handsome guy who loved to play fetch with a crumpled piece of paper, chase laser lights, sun himself on the porch, and EAT. What a personality!” Remembrance donation by Judy Wolfe, July 2017.