The Grace Card, Inc.

03/23/2025

Freddy ❤️

He has grown especially comfortable just chillin’ in the tub 🛀 😻 (complete with a comfy blanket and cat tower 🐾).

A bathtub might not sound like the coziest spot to spend time, especially without warm water in it, but some cats seem to find bathtubs especially cozy. Cats love spending time in enclosed spaces, and the bathtub probably helps Freddy feel just as safe and comfortable as an enclosed cat bed.

Freddy and I have been having some talks about him spending time out of the tub (well…I’m talking and he’s acting like he doesn’t hear a word I say 🙄), but he is pretty adamant that he’s perfectly happy in his bath cave 👌🐾

So…I found a picture of Freddy as a human 😁 and a couple of him giving me the “I feel like we’ve talked about this enough” look 😬

In Freddy’s defense, i was reading that baths are actually totally a guy thing, in fact there is apparently 5 pillars to a manly bath -

1. The water needs to be hot. Well that’s a no-go for Freddy, cats should only have lukewarm, but his human counterparts might be good with that.

2. Sound. Something good to listen to. Freddy enjoys MEOW: A Literary Podcast for Cats on Spotify 😻

3. Lighting. Turning the lights down to a nice relaxing soft glow. Freddy prefers a good night light for ambiance.

4. Booze. A little Pinot Meow, MosCATo or a Bloody Meowy by PetWineShop is on the menu😁

5. Bath salts - salts not suds. RemysBrands PawSoak soothing epsom salt and oatmeal blend for pets sounds purrfect 😎

So…a reminder from Freddy - “Real men take baths” - follow him for more manly tips and advice on the cat life and how to get the most out of it 😁🐾😻❤️

03/22/2025

An update on our cancer warrior, Camie Jo 🥰

Although we didn’t know it at the time, yesterday was to be her last oncology visit 😢 The chemo is affecting her body negatively by lowering her white blood count too low, and on top of that about two weeks ago she started refusing to take the chemo, although we tried many different ways 😟

Right now she is happy and everything appears normal - she is eating normally, acting fine, and her quality of life is really good ❤️. She has decided she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life taking meds and she is allowed to choose. Camie is a super senior and her decisions matter.

Breast cancer is very aggressive in cats and it will not be cured and she would need chemo forever, plus it turns out that the oral chemo is not keeping the cancer controlled totally, so she will now be proceeding without chemo. The only other option is IV meds and we said no - we have some background with that and it does not equal a good quality of life, causes sickness, weakness, and other side effects, and Camie said no to the meds that are causing issues we can’t see on the outside, so it’s a definite no to the meds that would cause evident side effects.

We are praying the cancer stays as it is and doesn’t progress quickly and she will have a long happy life and that’s what we are aiming for.

Please keep Camie in your prayers for a full, happy life - free of pain, worries, yucky meds, and full of lots and lots of naps in the sunshine, treats, friends, Kodak qualifying moments and memories, and love, kisses and hugs.

Not the report we were hoping for, but in December, 2023 Camie was found stray and found herself in the shelter. She was deemed a hospice case with an estimated three months to live. They asked if we would consider pulling her and that’s where her story changed. Over a year later and she’s a happy girl with a lot of life in her and we are so blessed to be part of the rest of her journey ❤️❤️

Here is pictures of her yesterday waiting for her doctor and nurse friends - they give her lots of love and treats so she anxiously watches the door for them 😻😻. The Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Medicine oncology team is amazing - they are caring, empathetic, gentle, and knowledgeable and they have graciously cared for Kermit and Camie and we are so thankful for them 🙏😻

03/21/2025

It has been a very rough month so far and I have been off of social media a lot during this time. Several of our cats came down with upper respiratory infections, some worse than others. Hope, Unique, and Little Momma had worse symptoms and required more antibiotic shots. Leilani, Ace, Koa and Purrfecta were able to get through it easier. Grayson also displayed symptoms but all of them were on doxy and are on the mend. Little Bear amazingly avoided it altogether. Hope is still struggling with conjunctivitis but is slowly recovering.

During this time one of my personal cats, my sweet tortie Hazel, also fell ill. She had a vestibular event late last year that she never fully recovered from, and we did not know the cause. She remained unstable walking but returned to her normal routine and her loving personality. In early March she stopped eating much and then rapidly started losing weight. I syringe fed her every 5-6 hours round the clock, she got antibiotic injections, subq fluids, B12, antiviral meds, doxycycline, a/d recovery diet, baby food, everything we could think of, but she continued to decline. My heart is more shattered than I can even articulate to write that she crossed the rainbow bridge on Wednesday afternoon, March 18. She was an amazingly sweet, confident girl and I have so many memories and wonderful things to say about her, but it’s too hard right now.

Hazel’s passing has been really hard on her friends too and they are clearly mourning also. Lt Dan has stayed to himself since that day and is clearly sad. Annie has been hiding, Reggie and his girls have stayed to themselves, and Camie stopped taking her chemo shortly after Hazel fell ill. I have tried to disguise the chemo in so many different ways with no luck (and many wasted meds). Camie also started staying to herself shortly before Hazel passed. Camie had bloodwork on Wednesday for her oncology appointment today, and the results did not look good 😭😭

The first picture is Camie and Hazel in their favorite spots in the sun - where they could be found most every day together ❤️ the others pictures are of beautiful Hazel - she will live on in precious memories here and always be in our hearts. Run free sweet girl - see you at the bridge 🌈🐾😢

03/14/2025

Some of you might remember this senior guy named Lipstick that was rescued from Mineral, VA from the same community where Tom, Mouse, Cupcake, Jack and Kevin were also rescued.

Lipstick spent his life as a homeless kitty and had gotten very sick and was helped by our friends at The HOWS Project who saved his life. They then reached out and asked if there was any way we could find him an indoor forever home to live out his senior years. Thankfully, the perfect couple eagerly accepted Lipstick and became his forever foster family.

A couple of days ago, they let us know that Lipstick may have diabetes and was going through testing at their vet, so we are asking for prayers that the vet determines whether he does have diabetes and, if so, that he will be able to easily get his glucose back on track and feeling great again. There have been some promising advancements in treating feline diabetes with an oral mefication instead of insulin shots and the treatment has shown great results, so hopefully if he needs treatment this will be an option for him.

His dad and mom shared these pictures of him enjoying his golden years inside relaxing and being loved ❤️❤️❤️

Senior cats are amazing and the best companions ever 😻🐾😻

03/12/2025

Lucy Lu came into our rescue in mid-November 2024. She has had a lot of changes and challenges in her life. See, Lucy was one of several kitties whose owner passed away suddenly. Kermit, Spot and Miss Piggy also came from her first home.

After her owner passed, a neighbor started caring for Lucy and her bonded friend, Ricky. Then, that person moved away leaving them again on their own. Other neighbors started to care for them but tragically Ricky was attacked by a predator and didn’t survive - and the same coyote was after Lucy. She was able to be trapped and brought to safety, but the emotional scars of her experiences have left their mark 😢

She stayed hidden except for meal time and to go potty so we discussed the next plan and thanks to two very loving fosters that worked together, Lucy is now with Hoku and Poki to see if being with ones who are socializing well will give her comfort and courage 🥰

Lucy is a beautiful little girl, she is timid but so sweet and can be petted without any issue, but she has had so many tragedies that she probably is just wondering what’s next 😟

She has settled in nicely with Hoku and Poki and is out with them walking around, looking out the windows, eating and is very comfortable with them. She will still hide in her cat cube or a corner when humans come in, but is accepting of pets and is starting to relax watching how easily Hoku and Poki interact ❤️

We don’t always know their back story, but with Lucy we know enough that it was a tough one. They all deserve unconditional love and acceptance for who they are and that’s what Lucy will always get. She’s safe. She’s loved and valued. She will never be left behind again and her new friends are showing her it’s ok to trust again 🙏🙏. We are encouraged by her interactions with the other kitties and her fosters are smitten by this sweet, beautiful girl 🫶🐾. Please send up prayers for Lucy that her fears will be overcome by love 🙏

03/09/2025

A check in from two of our former wondercats - Kermit and Spot 🐈 🐾❤️

Sunday - a day to rest and refuel your soul…and Kermit is taking full advantage of the “no plan, no stress” afternoon 😻😴

…and, not to be outdone, Spot has found his happy space…or box😻📦 …and he found one that totally fits him 🤣

We are so thankful for fosters who become friends, and friends who become forever family - Kermit and Spot lost their dad suddenly and their foster family jumped in and took both of them without hesitation, even after finding that Kermit was fighting previously undiagnosed cancer. They fought for him, taking him to oncology appointments, administering chemo and lots of love and he was able to go into remission ❤️❤️
Late last year, the chemo started to affect and weaken his heart and had to be discontinued but, although he is a super senior kitty, he has continued to thrive because he has a family that loves him and his buddy Spot unconditionally. No words can encompass the grace and love they have shown and these two kitties can say “it’s a wonderful life” because they said yes.

Fostering really does save lives and Kermit and Spot hit the jackpot when they found their new family, and i think their dad is smiling down on them too knowing his babies are safe and loved 😍🫶🥰

03/08/2025

03/08/2025

The first picture we shared of this guy, Hoku, was of a scared kitty peeking out of a storm drain. Trapped the day after Christmas with his friend, Poki, they are doing amazing!! Look at this handsome guy now ❤️. He is no longer afraid, LOVES to play, and now runs around the entire house freely and gets along with the other cats….and Poki is watching and learning to be very brave too 🫶🫶 I will share a separate post about that sweet boy 😻

03/07/2025

Donations desperately needed 🙏🙏🙏

From January 31-February 28, 2025 our vet costs alone totaled $1,484.90 (invoices attached). We collected $440 in donations for which we are very thankful.

On average our food, litter and cat supplies are another $800 a month.

We have the determination and the “will” to take care of the cats that need long term care and come into our rescue, but without financial support we don’t have the “way”.

Please donate if you are able 🙏 As I write this, in addition to the above, we have 6 cats with upper respiratory infections and conjunctivitis, Camie needs to be seen by her oncologist, have bloodwork and more meds, Freddy needs follow up care, a kitten needs spay and vetting before adoption, and the list goes on. We focus on medically needy cats, but it comes with a price - emotionally and financially.

I don’t take lightly that this is a tough time financially for many of us - whatever you are able to give helps us continue.

If you would prefer to donate directly to the vet, you can call the number on the invoices attached or through Venmo -Cunningham-20365 and note The Grace Card.

We have Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IXKW1JITEMRW?ref_=wl_share) and Chewy wish lists for food and supplies (links are at the top of our FB page) and at this time our items most needed are Fancy Feast classic pates (Turkey or chicken), Tidy Cats 24/7 clumping litter, and Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach cat kibble.

Venmo -
Paypal -
Checks by mail - The Grace Card, 14000 Flagtree Place, Manassas, VA 20122

We are a 501(c)(3) and all donations are 100% tax deductible. EIN 88-2600046.

Thank you for your support❤️🐾❤️

03/07/2025

LG, Bubba, and the rest of the boys just enjoying a little live entertsinment 🐿️ - free Cat TV at its best 🐾 🐈 📺🙂

03/06/2025

Please join me in wishing this sweet little momma, Sissy, a Happy 5th Birthday 🎂🎉🎈😻

Some of you may remember when this homeless girl and her young kitten, Socks, were brought into our rescue in late September, 2022. Sissy was living in the woods behind a local grocery store when she was found by two homeless men who saw she needed help. They shared their food and their humble living quarters with Sissy. On Easter morning 2022 she gave birth to one kitten which they named Socks. Again, they provided shelter and care for this little family, but as summer turned to fall they became concerned that the upcoming cold weather would be hard on Sissy and Socks so they reached out for help ❤️ They helped us trap both Sissy and Socks, who were both in good health, and they were vetted and brought into rescue. It was a bittersweet time for these men who had taken such good care of this little family, but they wanted the best for them 🐾🫶

Sissy and Socks have been my home office kitties and keep me company all day. Sissy is shy but incredibly sweet and tiny - her son towers over her like a linebacker for a football team 😻 and he is very protective over her, as she is of him 🥰

Happy Birthday my sweet little birthday girl 🎂🫶🐾😽

03/06/2025

With all the tough in the world today, it seems like a good time to share some good news 📰 🫶

We need more of this ❤️😻🐕🐾❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/163xACydoq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/02/2025

Where’s Waldo?

Theres always that one 🐈 😎…. who is so talented they climb the stairs on the wrong side of the rails 🫣😻.

Just another practice run for the circus 🎪🤹

nevermind…this is the circus 🐾😏

02/27/2025

Happy 17th Birthday Winston 😻🐾🎉🎂🎈

What is 17 cat years old in human years? About 84 years old! Lookin’ pretty good 😎 for a senior catizen 😍❤️

In the past few months Winston has had a mini stroke and battled a bout of pancreatitis, but he recovered from both and is back to jumping up on the bed, running to breakfast, and asking for lots of love and massages 😊🐾

Here’s to many more trips around the sun ☀️ sweet boy 🥳 Keep amazing us - you are loved - thanks for sharing your world with us ❤️🐾❤️

Happy Birthday to you, buddy 🎁 🐾🎂🫶

02/27/2025

Little Miss Sunshine🌞

Ms LeChat (aka Ruby) is quickly becoming a playful little girl - and with those beautiful eyes she’s getting lots of glamour shots 😻😻😻

It has been just over a week and she’s learning to be a kitten….playing with her toys and loving the attention from her foster mom and almost at the “all clear” after her spay surgery! The resident cats have been checking on her and interested in this new little girl 😊

Look at that beauty!! Is she a cutie or what ❤️🐾❤️!!

A couple videos of her playing are in the comments 🫶

02/26/2025

It’s been nearly a month since we took Freddy in and he is one resilient guy 🫶

After nearly a month, two Convenia shots, multiple Penicillin injections (done every 3 days for the first two weeks), doxycycline, Baytril injection, subq fluids, two B12 injections, probiotics, a vaporizer running 24/7 (still is), this tough warrior is FINALLY breathing better, gaining weight and eating, drinking, pooping, peeing normally😻😻

Other than the elevated WBC because of being sick, his bloodwork was remarkably good - kidney and liver values great, thyroid, glucose - all good! His heart sounds strong and lungs stayed clear. Literally a miracle for as sick as he was 🙌🙌

He has more work to do on the horizon as he has broken teeth, missing many teeth, and the rest need some work, so he will need a dental but the vet said it needs to wait and is not urgent - the main focus is getting him completely healthy and a healthy weight, earning his trust and giving him time to relax and just enjoy not being sick 😊

He has a pretty good hiss (his mini lion roar) if you try to move his stuff around - but he’s otherwise very calm and I sit with him every day and talk to him reminding him he is strong, he is a warrior, he is handsome, he is loved, he is safe forever, he is healthy, he has a family, he has friends, he is not alone … that’s his personal motivational podcast each day 😻. I sing to him too, but I’m not Celine Dion so I’m not sure if it’s comforting or frightening, but he will close his eyes and go to sleep 😴…or possibly he’s just acting like that so I will stop singing 😏

As you can tell, he is already a little annoyed by my photo shoots 📸 so he gives me “the eye” 🤨 when I pull the phone out 🤣 but he’s still a good sport ❤️🐾❤️

02/25/2025

Local VA followers - please report this car immediately to police if seen - these dogs are not safe 😭