Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection and Barn Cat Buddies help cats in crisis

When Little Miss Darcy and 40-plus other cats were rescued from a hoarding situation by local animal control, their future was uncertain. The neglected cats were taken in by the Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection in Roanoke, Virginia. They saved nursing mothers and kittens, and cats who needed medical attention and socialization. It was going to take a lot of work, time and funding to get all the cats ready for homes, but luckily, this animal control agency works with a local feline force of nature, Barn Cat Buddies. With a little help from their friends, Barn Cat Buddies would help turn the cats’ fate around.

Collaboration and can-do attitude help cats

Barn Cat Buddies is a No More Homeless Pets Network partner, a Best Friends program that works with rescue organizations and municipal shelters across the country to end the killing of dogs and cats in our nation’s shelters. Working with their Best Friends regional Network specialist, Michelle Logan, has helped the group fight an uphill battle to save more cats. “Having Michelle as our counselor and go-to person has made us feel less isolated in the world of cat and kitten rescue,” says Diane Novack, treasurer and adoptions coordinator.

When the group was in a pinch after taking in the dozens of hoarded cats from animal control, Best Friends was there to help, giving Barn Cat Buddies $1,000 in financial assistance to help get the cats spayed or neutered. “The $1,000 financial aid helped pay for the first 35 animals’ sterilization and rabies vaccination,” says Diane. “Our gratefulness to Michelle and Best Friends knows no bounds.”

Fostering cats in need

Barn Cat Buddies foster parent Chris Stephan Kocher gladly gave refuge to Darcy and several other cats from the case. Chris says, “Darcy was one of the youngest and very bouncy. She wasn’t scared, and talked all the time.” When a friend called her in search of a kitten for her son Jack, Chris had the perfect match in mind. “She asked me what kittens I had ready to go. Darcy was exactly what she was looking for,” says Chris. “Jack's mother came to meet Darcy since she was going to be a birthday surprise for young Jack. As they snuggled, she said, ‘She is the one for my son.’ ”

Barn Cat Buddies transformed this down-on-her-luck cat into a pampered princess with a boy of her own who loves her. Michelle says, “Barn Cat Buddies is an awesome Network partner, and they needed funding to make sure over 40 cats didn’t die in the shelter. This is what the No More Homeless Pets Network is about – making a direct impact on saving lives.”

Get involved to help animals

Learn more about how Best Friends helps No More Homeless Pets Network partners.

Photos by Teresa Powell and courtesy of Barn Cat Buddies