Help create The Kitty Cottage Sanctuary

Please help me help them! I would like to create a place for under-socialized cats to get a last chance at a home life. Often referred to as feral. I prefer scared, untrusting and under-socialized. These cats are considered outside, community, or nuisance cats.

Over the last 5 years, I have had the amazing opportunity to foster with a local rescue group. During this time I have fostered 140 animals, mostly cats, taking them from homeless to cherished members of families. I’ve had a front row seat to the overwhelming need for safe, warm places for these cats to be given a chance to become adoptable. Minnesota does have many rescues and shelters, but there is an overwhelming lack of placement for under-socialized and fearful cats. Most of them end up enduring, and much of the time succumbing to the harsh Minnesota winters. The ones that live, like my own Valentine, who spent 8 years fending for himself, have ears and tails that have fallen off due to frostbite. Some are brought to local shelters by good Samaritans. Unfortunately, shelters get full. Shelters are also loud, bright and scary. When cats become anxious their behavior makes them deemed unadoptable. The shelter staff must make difficult decisions that they don't want to make.

I want to help fill that gap and save some lives. During my time fostering, I fostered several under-socialized cats. All of which, after some time, became available for adoption and are now living in homes with loving owners. I’m proud to say none have been returned. I do follow up and give support to the adopters. Which in some cases is for months. I think that’s key. Rescues don’t have the time to put into under-socialized cats because they are overwhelmed by the numbers of typical animals in need.

I want to create The Kitty Cottage Sanctuary. My vision is to build a climate controlled large shed/small garage sized building, on my property, with an enclosed outside area for under-socialized cats to be cared for. This would give me the space and time to try to socialize them to become adoptable. If that does not happen I am committed to letting them live out their lives in the cottage where they will not need to worry about food, weather or predators. This is where you come in. Because my heart is far larger than my bank account. I am asking for contributions to help me get my idea off the ground. I am also pursuing non-profit status and hopes of getting tax breaks for contributions. But until then the heartwarming feeling of saving a life will have to do. Trust me, it's a fabulous feeling to make a life better. I am also setting up a Facebook page to track my progress.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could share this post.

Maria Megas