The best part about running for Cat Ruler of the World is supporting a worthy cause. I have to say that we candidates have all chosen amazing rescues that have very unique ways of helping cats in need. My choice, Tabby’s Place, has been a longtime favorite of mine. The first time I read about it, I knew I would help it whenever I could.
Tabby’s Place is located in Ringoes, NJ, and it calls itself “a cage-free sanctuary for cats rescued from hopeless situations.” But that is only scratching the surface. Tabby’s Place has a special place in their hearts, and sanctuary, for special needs kitties. Paraplegic, incontinent, cats with kidney failure, FIV+ cats and more — they’ve all found a home at Tabby’s Place… at least for now, because the biggest hope of the humans there is that someone steps up who can adopt them! And this wish does come true: this year, their longtime mascot, Tashi found a home. There were lots of tears when he left, but they were happy tears.
Here are some facts about Tabby’s Place:
- It was built on love: when Jonathan Rosenberg found out his cat Tabby had terminal cancer, he began to question what he was doing with his life. He decided to quit his job and devote his life to helping the cats who needed help the most. Tabby’s Place had its official beginning in 2003, four years after Tabby’s death, and I am sure Tabby proudly watches over what his human has created.
- It has its own in-house medical facility, which makes it a lot easier to work with their special population.
- It really is cage free. The only time cats are in cages are when they first come to the sanctuary for quarantine; when a cat has an infectious illness and must be separated from the other cats; and when it is recovering from surgery, for its own protection. The rest of the time the cats live in communal living environments built especially with their needs in mind (lots of horizontal and vertical space), there are outdoor enclosures, and special group rooms for FIV+ cats and cats who are on special diets.
- Many of the cats at Tabby’s Place would have been euthanized if they had not been rescued.
- Most of all, Tabby’s Place is an adoption center. Every cat that finds a home means they have room to take in another one. Someday they hope to have more buildings so they can help more cats.
Here are a few of the awesome kitties currently at Tabby’s Place:
Dot
Vivacious little Dot became the Tabby’s Place mascot after Tashi was adopted. This sweet and spicy little girl was born with spina bifida, which means some of her vertebrae aren’t fully formed. She is incontinent and can’t use her hind legs. But Dot has no idea this is supposed to be a problem, because for her it isn’t! She is very active and uses her forelegs to run around the Tabby’s Place lobby, where she is the self-appointed ruler. She just recently was fitted with a cart to help her get around, but at the moment she is not convinced that she needs it!
D’Artagnan
It took a caring human, a sanctuary, and a timely grant to save D’Artagnan’s life. The human found him on the side of a road — a six week old kitten who had been hit by a car. His spine was damaged, leaving him paralyzed, and his pelvis and left foreleg were fractured. A vet suggested putting the little guy out of his misery, but the human called Tabby’s Place instead. Normally, Tabby’s Place doesn’t take cats from the public because there are already so many cats in need at kill shelters, but they had recently gotten a grant from the Paws and Claws Society, with instructions that the money had to go to the kind of kitty who could only go somewhere unique like Tabby’s Place. So they made an exception for this exceptional kitten, and D’Artagnan was saved. He immediately became a sanctuary favorite with his cheerful, happy personality, and has managed to make so many Tabby’s Place humans love him that they all believe that there is a forever home in his future.
Harvest
Harvest loves humans! When he sees one, he would love nothing more than to be pals. He also has severe stomatitis. You may have heard a little bit about this condition — maybe you know of a cat who had to have all his teeth pulled, like Harvest did. But stomatitis is not a dental disease issue — it is an autoimmune reaction that rebels against a cat’s teeth, saliva and plaque. It can even be painful for a cat with stomatitis to open his mouth wide, which makes examinations for this disease excruciating! Harvest has a really bad case – his mouth would bleed from the slightest stimulation. He is currently on medication to control his condition &mdaah; just because his teeth are gone does not mean a cat with stomatitis immediately is all better. The autoimmune problem remains to be dealt with. In spite of everything, Harvest is still ready to charm any human who comes his way.
Ike
Here is another Tabby’s Place favorite! Ike is probably one of the just-plain nicest cats at Tabby’s Place. He also has cerebellar hypoplasia — that neurological issue you may have heard of that causes kitties to wobble when they walk. But for what he lacks in motor skills, Ike makes up in charisma. Ike has had to deal with a number of health issues, for which he has been on a variety of meds, but he takes it all in stride (well, except maybe for the recent decision to put him on a d-i-e-t!). Ike has so many fans at Tabby’s Place that some of them have lately been sporting “I like Ike” buttons!
You can see more of the adoptable cats at Tabby’s Place here. You say you aren’t anywhere near Ringoes, NJ and you can’t take in another kitty? You can always sponsor one of their special needs cats — check them out here!
Tabby’s Place is an awesome place! I am always so happy when I get the chance to help them out. And I have something fun for you — my Sunday Catinee will feature the Tabby’s Place cats I’ve mentioned here! I think you will find them very inspiring!
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
Wow – that sounds like an awesome place (sounds like they’re up to some seriously awesome doings over there :o)
We’re luff their blog. It’s an amazing place.
What a wonderful place and the owners must have great big hearts to look after all those cats and give them a ‘normal’ life. Mum is going to look at their site and tell us all BOUT IT.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
As you know, that is one of my very favorite shelters. I think it is so amazing how they take in cats that have so many disabilities and keep some of them forever. i am so glad that you did this shelter. I love that little Dot kitty. Take care.
Thank you for sharing about Tabby’s Place. It is a wonderful place for these kitties in need.
Purrs
What a wonderful post, Sparkle. I really enjoyed learning about all the special kitties and I thank Jonathan Rosenberg for creating Tabby’s Place. I am especially thankful of the versatility of what they offer for cats.
I am humbled more than words can express as to the significance of this contest and I am so proud of all of the Cat-idates who are participating. All the shelters are so worthy and it is such a privilege to be able to give them the spotlight they deserve.
we have followed them for a while and mom LOVES Dot. 🙂 They do great work and love that they have your support…..
Believe it or not, we never heard of Ringoes, NJ! We wonder of Linda from A Call 4 Paws knows about this place and if they could work together. Before reading these posts, I had no idea there were no many Cat Sanctuaries! Duh!
Your shelter is certainly one of the best out there!!!!
Sparkle, does Tabby’s Place have a facebook page like Blind Cat Rescue? We would love to follow them if they do (if we don’t already–if we do their page isn’t getting seen in our feed any longer… GRRR). They do some wonderful things there for cats in need, don’t they?
Yes, they do have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TabbysPlace
What a wonderful and caring place for special kitties 🙂
They are totally amazing and I love them for all that they do. We actually sponsor a kitty there too. And I just love that little Dot!
I’m SO glad that there are places like these that help the kitties have happy lives no matter their circumstances. Thank you for sharing this wonderful haven.
Thanks for sharing about another special shelter. We are proud to be campaigning with you. It’s not about winning but creating awareness for the advocacy of cats.
So beautiful, Sparkle. Thank you for sharing Tabby’s Place with us. It really hits home, meeting all those beautiful kitties and reading their stories.
We are so honored to be part of this Campaign For A Cause Contest. All of the shelters make a significant impact on the lives of so many cats in need.
For once we’re relieved we don’t have to vote.
We wish they ALL could win.
xo, Katie & Glogirly
A good choice. It sounds like a wonderful place for these special needs kitties. Good luck!
sparkle; yur post iz awesum; N after reading this we rememberd heerin bout tabby’s place but we R knot sure wear…a baziilion thanx ta mr rosenberg for starting tabby’s place N we checked it out..they even haz aquaruims ther !!!!!! how kewl iz th…..
huh….
oh, mom said SOlaruims, knot aquariums…..kewl just de same
we wish R houz had sum oh those kewl ramps N stuff N whoa..talk bout mega cat tree in sweet B !!!
we trooly wish ALL de shelters could be picked……itz gonna be tuff ta vote 🙁
That is such a worthy cause. I am glad you have chosen it to highlight the wonderful work they do!!
Sparkle you are one wonderful kitty for bringing this attention to what has to be a very, very special group of humans and kitties.
Tabby’s Place is such a wonderful organization for helping these precious kitties! Thank you for bringing attention to them Sparkle! Our mommy remembers Tashi so she got a little leaky hearing he found a furever home!
Great post and a great cause!!!
What amazing animals. We are so glad that they are being cared for so lovingly. What a great place.
purrs
>^,,^<
✿•*¨`*•. ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥✿•*¨`*•.
what an awesome place for kitties, like heaven on earth. kudos to you sparkle for supporting a worthy cause and introducing us it.
sparkle for ruler!!!!!!
pawsome organisation! all our best for your campaign, Sparkle!
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
Those are some wonderful kitties and we wish them the best of luck in finding their new homes. We can see why you love this great rescue!
We love Tabby’s Place! Thanks for sharing all this good info about it…and for choosing it as your charity, Sparkle!
Oh Darling Sparkle! This is such a wonderful rescue! We luffs them already.
Fret fret fret.
We LOVE Tabby’s Place, Sparkle. We were lucky enough to visit them about 2 years ago. What an amazing place, and amazing people, doing amazing things!
Sparkle thanks for reminding Mom about Tabby Place she saw their story on Animal Planet and is glad there are volunteers to help those cats that would have been left to kill shelters without this group of people.
What an awesome place. Thank you for choosing them.
Tabby’s Place sounds amazing. We are so glad that they take in the kitties that others are unable to.
OMC! I’m in tears. This is incredible. An in house medical facility is a blessing but I imagine very costly. Regardless which shelter wins Grand Prize, this contest will bring great exposure to all these worthy shelters!
Christine
Our mom was doing some research for a post on Tabby’s Place and came across this one. Paws up!!