Shawnee Om Shanti Cat Sanctuary

05/26/2024

05/02/2024

I Am a Feral Cat Caregiver
People constantly ask why I do what I do when I have so many other priorities. When it costs money out of my own pocket. When I have my own indoor cats to tend to.
My answer?
Because somewhere down the line, a human let them down. Either they were dumped off, their parents were dumped off, or their great-grandparents, etc.
Because people may have been feeding them, but nobody bothered to neuter them so that they wouldn’t keep giving birth to kittens who would potentially suffer and die out there.
So that feral kittens would no longer be dropped off at shelters and healthy shelter cats who had been waiting for homes would be euthanized to “make room”.
So that Toms would never have to fight for territory or mates anymore. So that they could live healthier, happier lives.
Feral Cat Caregivers are unsung and often misunderstood heroes! We may “think” that we aren’t making a difference in the world because we haven’t won a Nobel Peace Prize or aren’t making six-figure incomes. But to that feral cat, we have changed THEIR entire world. And that’s ALWAYS enough!
~author unknown

04/15/2024

I'm mowing the cat yard for the first time this year. The grass is too thick and wet for my lithium mower so I'm trying to whittle it down using my old push mower (the kind w/o a motor). Two words - OY VEY!

02/16/2024

Our beautiful Dio was helped to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. The cancer was just getting too painful to bear. I knew Dio since he was born. Truly one of the best cats I ever had the privilege to share my life with. I will miss my bed buddy, his distinct meows and purrs. but especially his gentle ways. To say we will miss him is a huge understatement. May his sweet spirit be blessed. Forever loved and never to be forgotten.

02/12/2024

Our beautiful Pantera has made her way to the Rainbow Bridge. She was 16 years old and battled hyperthyroidism for 3 years, but was growing increasingly frail despite vet visits and adjustments to her medications. So sweet, we will miss her presence, and I am sure her brother Mr. Mittens will miss her as well. Forever loved and never to be forgotten. May her sweet spirit be blessed. 😢

02/04/2024

I had quite a shock, as I found Dusty dead in the sanctuary this morning. He displayed no symptoms of illness and ate normally yesterday, including last night's treat at 9:30 PM. He looked completely relaxed when I found him, but had obviously passed hours before. Dusty was a H.A.R.T. kitty, deaf and blind, but seemed content enough in the warmth of the cat sanctuary house and certainly enjoyed his food and treats. I will miss him. May his sweet spirit be blessed.

12/17/2023

All the little cat spirits were crossing the rainbow bridge when one of them looked back and saw some cats' souls laying on the other side of the bridge, not moving.
“Who are they?” he asked the cat next to him.
“Oh, don’t you know they are the souls who had no owner in life and knew no love like we did."
“So what are they laying there for?” he asked “Why don’t they cross over like us?”
“They can’t.” replied his new friend “Only pets with owners can cross."
Just then all the souls on the other side of the bridge sat up and looked down the road.
"What’s happening?" asked the little cat. “Watch!” replied his friend.
Whereupon a woman was seen walking towards the bridge. She looked to her left and then to her right then opened her arms wide and all the patiently waiting souls got up and went to her.
She knelt and touched each and every spirit in turn.
They then all proceeded to cross the bridge together.
“Who is that?” he asked his friend.
“That is someone special.” replied his friend “She is a rescuer."
❤ 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 ❤

– Author unknown
– Artist, Gretzky
– Poem shared from Panther City Feral Cat Coalition

11/03/2023

Remembering Shawnee on her "angel date". Has it really been 22 years since she danced upon this earth? The sanctuary is run as a memorial to her. Over 200 cats have been rescued, neutered and given a lifetime of care, in her honor.

11/02/2023

Some much needed repairs are being completed on the cat sanctuary house and mini-shelters. YAY!

09/28/2023

Our sweet Candy was helped to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. May her sweet, beautiful spirit be blessed. She will be so missed by her humans and kitties alike.

08/23/2023

08/21/2023

Our Tigers has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Although he did not want to live in the cat sanctuary house, he was rather comfortable in the mini-barn. A few years back, he had to have an eye removed because of glaucoma, but handled it with grace. He was a gentle soul, well loved by humans and cats alike. We will all miss him.😭