10 Days To Save 35 Homeless Cats & Thousands More

My name is Laura and I’m the Founder of Tristate Noah Project. I started this rescue after finding a recently homeless and neglected cat I’d been feeding beaten and left for dead. Like so many others on the street he had a home but was abandoned when his owners moved. For 11+ years I’ve witnessed thousands of cats suffer that same fate. Abandoned and disregarded by their owners to no fault of their own, then forced to survive on the streets and considered a “nuisance” for a life they never asked for.

While this rescue helps all animals, we put a focus on homeless cats because very few do despite the growing need. Of the 250+ homeless animals we care for daily, our largest colony of 35 have considered an abandoned, dilapidated house that sat empty for 12+ years their “home.” For the past 7 years our rescue has been caring for the cats at this property (feeding, finding homes for, providing winter shelters, medical treatment when necessary and TNR).

The home was recently purchased. We have 10 DAYS to raise the money or find an angel to assume a loan for this property so we (the rescue) can immediately enter a lease to own agreement. If we can’t do this, their already difficult lives become harder. 35 cats lose the only feeding spot they have, lose the winter shelters they depend on, lose the only home they’ve known and we miss the opportunity to start a very needed project.

This goes beyond helping this colony of 35. Our vision is implementing the first of many community gardens/green spaces catered to community cats in a state that has ranked last for 14 years for its animal welfare laws. While the idea of sanctuaries or adoption centers have their place, there is not enough land, funds or shelters to house every homeless cat. We have to look at realistic, duplicatable and sustainable solutions because we don’t have a “stray cat problem”, we have an irresponsible people problem, which there is no solution for.

These green spaces are easily duplicatable and provide a solution for neighborhoods with a high population of homeless cats, while beautifying the neighborhood and being managed by volunteers and kids from local schools, as part of our Humane Education program. It addresses common complaints neighbors often have and makes TNR more manageable.

We are not reinventing the wheel. These gardens/green spaces exist in multiple cities and states throughout the U.S and around the world. They have been proven to work and garner community support while changing the misinformed perception of homeless cats that many hold.

Years ago I walked away from the corporate world and a well salaried position to focus on the rescue. I have devoted the past 7 years to this rescue in almost every capacity possible from financial to my time. While that decision has helped countless animals and is not something I regret, it has hindered my ability to do this on my own, otherwise I would. These cats need an angel (or several) to save them. If an investor who is willing to do a lease to own agreement comes forward, we would like to show our appreciation by naming this first location after them or their pet, if they choose.

It’s heartbreaking to see these cats struggle every day and be punished for a life they never asked for. We have this one opportunity to bring about positive change in a city where just years ago TNR was illegal and being forced to live on the streets was an automatic death sentence. We cannot fail them.

Any donation is appreciated as it all adds up.

For additional information on becoming an angel investor for this property and an angel to homeless animals, please email us.

On behalf of all the animals who have no one else, Thank you