Button’s Strays

05/03/2025

Two years ago Toothless came limping up the front porch steps. We only had him for one year and eight months. It feels like I knew him my whole life and yet it wasn’t nearly long enough.

21/02/2025

Two feral cats will be TNRed this weekend thanks to the tireless help of one of our volunteers. The tuxedo is (we think but haven’t been able to look close enough to confirm) a female, born 4-5 months ago to a neighbor’s cat who was left outside and had two litters. Some of her siblings have survived, some have not. But that is why we do what we do - to prevent more kittens from meeting the same fate.
The tabby is a 🌶️SPICY🌶️ tomcat who appeared a few months ago. He has been picking fights with other tomcats and just generally not being a good friend to the other cats in the colony. We hope that being fixed will curb his attitude!

09/02/2025

One of our original fosters, now-spoiled Phoebe has some opinions about the taking priority over her daily BirdTV watching.
Sorry, Phoebe!

21/01/2025

These next few days are going to be BRUTAL for our outdoor friends. If you are able to take them inside, please strongly consider doing so.

On a morning where the temps are near zero degrees. Please remember those cats and dogs that are forced to live outside.

🏠 many don't have shelter
🏠 many shelters are inadequate
🏠 many will die from hypothermia

Yes, the snow is gorgeous.
No, the temperatures are not ok.

This is a high risk/high alert time for those animals living outside.

If you are feeding outside animals, DO NOT DRAW THEM OUT of their shelters to eat.

DO make sure fresh water is available. You may need to refresh your water bowls multiple times a day right now.

Please keep these times in mind if you think it's acceptable to let your unaltered cat outside to procreate.

Altered or not, do not let your pets outside right now. It is not safe.

11/01/2025

When I say I cried, I mean I CRIED when these boxes showed up on the porch. Mama and her babies are thrilled to have water, kitten milk, and kibble. Other people have chipped in by stopping by to take care of the cats while I am not around and donating cash toward future medical bills. You are such wonderful people! Thank you so much!! 😻

31/12/2024

Another day, another potential stray. PLEASE get your pets fixed and keep them inside.

21/12/2024

Don’t forget to join our Patreon to support Claire and cats like her! We are dedicated to reducing the stray/feral cat population through TNR and adoption. We continue our efforts through your support ❤️ Just search for “Button’s Strays” on Patreon

08/12/2024

I was packing up to leave when I heard a plaintiff cry from the field across from my house. Jodi and I set out to find the source, going through lots of dry brush and bare trees.
20 minutes and 1,000 sticker burrs later, Claire popped her head out of a tire in my neighbor’s yard. A cat I’d never seen before was staring intently at her from atop another tire. Jodi sprang into action to protect her baby girl and chased the interloper off into the woods. Jodi and Claire came back home with me to enjoy some nice wet food and a little cuddle time before I left.
I was late. It was worth it. And I am still picking sticker burr pieces out of my clothes.

06/12/2024

We are behind on our Christmas/Holiday cards (featuring a throwback to Baby Bunny) but if anyone wants one, please send a message with your address and your preferred greeting. They will be order only to avoid having extra cards sitting around.

Deadline to request a card Dec 18, 2024.

05/12/2024

We love Healing Paws Veterinary Care for their compassionate approach to pet care! If you are able to help a family, please do so!

Help spread joy and Love this holiday season by helping a local family in need. Healing Paws is partnering with the Salvation Army to provide gifts to pets in need this holiday season. Similar to an angel tree, our Christmas tree has pawprint ornaments with a pet’s information so you can get them the perfect gift. Stop by the clinic to grab your ornaments and make a pet’s Christmas!

27/11/2024

Toothless, AKA “Toofy,” “Gummy Bear,” passed peacefully in my arms this afternoon. Though I had the option to try another round of meds that might work, it would not have been fair to him physically (or me mentally) to go through another week of waiting only to risk being disappointed and end up right back where we are now.

Am I sad he is gone? Yes.
Am I grateful for the time we had? Yes.
Would I do it again? Every time.

See you on the other side, buddy 🌈

24/11/2024

I have spent all month waiting to write a good update on Toothless. How he’s finally through with his healing and he’s playful and crazy and everything he was before his surgery. I was so ready to share with all of you about how our sweet, silly, birdTV-watching boy was back on track. I really wanted to share good news.

But I learned last night that this post will never be made. Toothless has an aggressive cancer in several of his organs. I can make him comfortable, but I can’t save him without putting him through a lot of things that would only buy a little time.

Loving an animal means making the hard choices. I will continue to keep him comfortable and work with his doctors as long as he is willing. I ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers in this time and be patient in the coming days. It’s going to be hard.
I want thank Dr. Williams at FurgentCare for seeing us repeatedly and sitting down with me after his diagnosis. Thank you to Dr. Sands at for performing his dental surgery and keeping in touch while we navigated his post-op tangle of symptoms. Thank you to Dr. Krouse at Coastal Animal Referral Emergency for giving me the answer I needed and helping form a plan for moving forward. And not judging me for crying like a baby when it finally sunk in. I know they are in our corner and no amount of cards, cupcakes, cookies or edible arrangements could express my gratitude.

14/11/2024

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about Callie.
Callie is a 3-ish year old fixed female cat looking for a quiet home. She is very timid and will require someone with a lot of patience. She is currently housed with other cats and has lived with large and small dogs, though she has not met many children.
If you are interested in adopting her, please reach out.

14/11/2024

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about Callie.

Callie is a 3-ish year old fixed female cat looking for a quiet home. She is very timid and will require someone with a lot of patience. She is currently housed with other cats and has lived with large and small dogs, though she has not met many children.

If you are interested in adopting her, please reach out.

27/10/2024

On the night of October 27, it is believed that our departed pets come to visit. Ursula was found outside a church at approximately four weeks old in 2016. She was inquisitive and cuddly, friendly to all our other pets, and never missed a can being opened, even if it wasn’t for her. Ursula passed recently and her family misses her very much.
Who will you be honoring this year?

11/10/2024

On October 30, 2024, our creature of the night will have several teeth removed in order to improve his quality of life. He came to us as an adult (approximately seven years old) with the damage already done but we are doing what we can to make the rest of his life so comfortable that he forgets he was ever alone. A 50% deposit was required to schedule his procedure, which I paid for from my personal account to get him the care he needs.
While I hope that the procedure will not reach the upper end of the estimate, I know that things may not turn out that way.
I am reaching out to the cat community to ask for help covering at least the second half of his bill. I will be following up with his vet next week to see if donations can be made directly to the office, as people are understandably more comfortable going that route. As of now, we have the following options:
PayPal - ButtonsStrays
Venmo - Buttons_Strays
Thank you for your time and consideration ❤️🖤

14/09/2024

We aren’t affiliated, but we can still help sweet little Lemon have a good life ❤️

Sitting on a front step seemingly watching the world go by. That is how Lemon was found.

But, his story was far from sweet. Upon closer inspection, Lemon was missing his right hind leg. The bone exposed, he seemed to be seeking refuge in someone’s doorway. Perhaps he was hoping they would open the door and help.

Instead, our friends at ACCT Philly picked him up. Due to his condition, he was quickly transferred to our Philadelphia hospital to receive care. Though you couldn’t tell from his sweet demeanor and wanting to crawl into every lap he could, Lemon was in critical condition. He was transferred to Blue Pearl to receive emergent, overnight care.

When he returned to our hospital the next day, he was so much brighter, and it was time for his healing to begin. He would undergo surgery to remove his remaining hind leg, and be monitored in our hospital for several more days.

It isn’t hard to fall in love with him. He wants to meet everyone, he leans in for pets, enjoys toys and likes to play. His life on three-legs is going to be filled with joy…and hope. We estimate he’s 2-years-old, and are so happy to say that despite what he has been through, he remains happy.

Lemon has his whole life ahead of him. That is only possible with your support.

Today on $5 Friday, please consider donating to our lifesaving mission for animals just like him – the animals who deserve a second chance at life. And for that life to be pain-free, happy and so fun.

13/09/2024

Some people believe black cats are bad luck. Not in this house! Toothless is a very good boy who blesses us with good luck and laughter every day.