Author: Shadow Cats

In Memory of ZeeZee    5/2/2012 – 1/16/2020

Zee Zee was a stunning, long haired tuxie girl. She was the sweetest, most loving and nurturing kitty. Immediately after anyone sat down in Cookies, she was in your lap. She loved being close to you and gave wonderful hugs and kisses.

Zee Zee came to us with a diagnosis of leukemia and FIV. We promised her she would live her best life with us, and she did. ZeeZee had lots of friends – she loved every cat and every cat loved her. She would watch over the kitties that were not feeling well. She was nurturing to the end.

The month of January has been particularly hard at the sanctuary. We have had several of our precious kitties cross the Rainbow Bridge and are asked, how can we do this? It is so hard to lose them.

We do this for cats like our sweet girl ZeeZee, who don’t have many options. We do the very best we can to give them the best life we can possible give for however long or short their life is. Zee Zee was 7 years old.

ZeeZee had been declining over the past few weeks and today she told us her time with us had come to a close. She passed held in loving arms surrounded by all that cared for her daily. The love filled the room for this precious girl. You were a very special girl, Zee Zee, and you will be missed so very much. We loved you to the moon and back. Rest easy, sweet baby girl. Fly high and free on your angel wings.

Thanks to all who loved her, especially our techs and assistants who cared for her every day, our volunteers, and a special thanks to her sponsors

ZeeZee had 4 Sponsors

Shannon Davis

Laurie Heupel and Chester

Elaina Tucker

Jeni Johnson

In Memory of Lilly Rose    2/1/2018 – 1/4/2020

The rescue world knows no boundaries. Lilly Rose came to us from a shelter in North Carolina, lucky enough to hitch a ride with three other kitties coming to Shadow Cats. We never knew what happened to her in her first few months. She looked as though she may have been injured (she had a noticeable gait) but we knew we were going to love this girl with all our hearts and we did! She was a lively, beautiful ginger tabby with the most amazing markings.

It took Lilly Rose all of 5 minutes to settle into her new home. She was fearless, into everything, running, jumping, playing, up and down the shelves in the outside catio, just being a fun little girl. Whatever happened to her did not slow her down one bit! A little known fact about Lilly Rose, she was a joy for our techs to medicate – she just sat and waited for them, so polite about taking medicine!

Lilly Rose had feline leukemia, and we know that sometimes our precious furry ones that have this dastardly disease may not have as long  a life as we want them to have. Things can quickly take a downturn, as they did with Lilly Rose. This morning she was in distress, and the kindest thing, our last gift to our precious kitties, is a gentle passing.

Lilly Rose crossed the rainbow bridge ever so gently. She was held in loving arms, surrounded by love, and light, gentle whispers in her ears telling her she was loved my many near and far.

Thanks to her caregivers, our amazing techs, volunteers, her sponsors, and those who loved her from afar. We will miss you, Lilly Rose. Rest easy, baby girl. You lived your best life at Shadow Cats, a full life, albeit short. You were so loved by all who knew you.

Lilly Rose had 4 Sponsors

LeAnn Chamberlin

Amanda Curry

Diane Scott

Karen Labos

In Memory of Charlie    11/8/2005 – 1/1/2020

This is a heartbreaking story… Adopted many years ago, Charlie lived in Florida but was lost from his home. He was found on the streets some 3 months later, very sick, emaciated and weighing only 4.5 pounds. We were contacted from his microchip and once a Shadow Cat always a Shadow Cat, so after a stay at an emergency clinic, plans were made to  bring him to the sanctuary. This amazing tabby boy traveled the 2500 mile journey, tracked all along the way by many. We were anxious to have Charlie with us.

Our hearts are hurting so bad today; tears are flowing freely. Precious Charlie crossed the rainbow bridge a little earlier. He could not fight the mountain of health issues that he had. A team of caregivers did everything they could to make him well, but his heart could beat no longer and Charlie told us it was his time. He passed ever so gently cradled in the arms that have cared for him every day since his return, gentle whispers in his ears telling him he was the best kitty ever and loved by so many.

Charlie was a little old man who stole our hearts, the gentlest cat you could ever meet, and the most loving. He enjoyed his days sitting in sunbeams and cuddling with other kitties. He made friends with all kitties in our Uptown area. Oh how he loved his food, always waiting patiently while the nannies prepared meals.He was such a gentleman. And in his sweaters he was oh so dapper. He even played a little and really looked happy.

Charlie, you were with us such a short time, but you will always be in our hearts. You made such an impression. A long life with us was not to be and we will miss you more than we can put into words. We loved you so very much.

Rest easy, Charlie, and fly high, sweet tabby boy, on angel wings. Pieces of our broken hearts went with you.

It takes a village in rescue. Our thanks go to Bradenton Veterinary Emergency Hospital, DeSoto Animal Clinic, transport by the amazing Thumper Zarate, Dr Smith, Dr Murphy, our incredible techs at the sanctuary, our volunteers, sponsors and supporters who showered this special boy with so much love and care.

Charlie had 4 Sponsors

Sandy Oswald

Gretchen Palmer

Julie Ferguson

Stuart McKnight

In Memory of Martin    6/14/2001 – 12/09/2019

Known affectionately by the staff as Martini, he was loved by all. Today we said our goodbyes to our precious boy Martin. He was 19 years old and in renal failure. In his younger days, Martin was shy and did not seek out our attention. He spent most of his days watching us from afar, peering out at us from a hiding place, but in his later years that all changed. He loved to be petted, he loved sitting on laps, we received the best head bumps, and he was no longer our shy boy. We loved that!

Martin never missed a meal! He loved his food. All of us at the at the sanctuary will smile and cherish the memories of Martin sitting on the edge of the exam table just waiting for his next meal. We realized he couldn’t tell time really well because he always thought it was meal time when he saw the nannies in their workroom. 😊  He was also a member of the chicken gang, and would come running to anyone that had chicken!

Martin came to us as a kitten with his entire family, all strays in the local neighborhood. They would never know hunger, always had a warm bed and all were loved and cared for by many. All lived their best lives at Shadow Cats. They all had different personalities, they were all special, and we loved them with all our hearts. Martin is now reunited with his Mom Tango, his sister Zoe, and brothers Parker and Stewart.

Our hearts hurt a little more today. We hug each other. We shed tears not only for Martin but the remembrance of this little family that have left us. Martin passed ever so gently cradled in loving arms, gentle whispers on his ears telling him how much he was loved, just how truly special he was. Our final gift, precious boy.

Rest easy, Martini. We will miss you, sweet gentle boy, more than any words can say.

Martin had 3 Sponsors

Julie Ferguson

Margaret Koch

Dawn & Paul Lawson

In Memory of Freya    2/21/2015 – 11/27/2019

Many remember the story of Freya, a community cat that had been caught in an illegal and inhumane leg trap in 2015. She had dragged her way into a crawl space under a house in Austin, frightened and in great pain. Our incredible trappers were able to get to her and release her leg from the trap and get her to a veterinary clinic. After months of recovery, Freya was then adopted and loved by the Good Samaritan who contacted us initially; she dearly wanted to look after and care for this little girl.

Freya had 3 Sponsors

Bill Fifield and Dave Roseberry

Sandy Frederick

Joani Tompkins

In Memory of Gizmo    6/6/2008 – 11/08/2019

Some of the sanctuary cats have come from distant places, and others, like Gizmo, from right next door. In 2008, Gizmo was seen frequently in the neighborhood near the sanctuary and started hanging around the front porch where we always keep bowls of food and water out for any hungry kitties who happen by. With winter approaching and no claims of guardianship, we brought Gizmo inside and he’s never left except for one short lived adoption and quick return related to his unpredictability.

Gizmo had 3 Sponsors

“My husband Corey and I visited the sanctuary with the intent to pick a kitty to sponsor.  But before we left that evening, it was clear that Gizmo had picked us.  Thank you Gizmo for giving us this opportunity to sponsor you.  I can’t wait to shower you with surprise gifts, visits, cuddles, and lots of ear scratches.”
-Corey and Marianne Bates

Tracey Williams

Courtney Johnson

In Memory of Finley    9/1/2016 – 10/30/2019

Finley was a beautiful, tiny kitten when he came to Shadow Cats in the Fall of 2016 from the Austin Animal Center. Who could resist him?! He grew up into stunningly beautiful adult cat who was also loving and sweet and who loved to play. Anything under a blanket or cover was not safe and he was the first to pounce and play. He was a cuddler and a favorite among all the volunteers and staff.

Finley started losing his fur about a year ago related to leukemia issues and it had just started to grow back in again. To him however, he knew he was always beautiful and of course we always told him how absolutely stunning he was.

Three years is not a long life, but for those three years, he grew up, had tons of friends and lived a good life. He sat in countless laps, was adored by many, flew from shelf to shelf overlooking the creek and its wildlife and slept warm and cozy on winter nights.  We must celebrate this precious life and we do, but the day is a little less bright and the hearts are heavier as we face the day.

Finley passed in the  loving arms of his caretakers this morning. Thank you to all that made his life the best it could be – his wonderful sponsors, his namesake in England, his caretakers and volunteers – you helped him live his best life.

Carry on in the arms of angels, Finley. We’ll never forget you.

Finley had 4 Sponsors

Tracey Williams

Liz Bell

LeAnn Chamberlin

Eugenie Baranoff

In Memory of Duncan    5/6/1997 – 10/14/2019

Duncan was the most handsome cat. Sleek and elegant, he had  beautiful eyes and was so gentle, the ultimate Mr. Nice Guy at the sanctuary. Everyone who met Duncan fell in love with him. He was a favorite of so many, and he was always there to jump in your lap as soon as you sat down. If there was a meeting, Duncan would always be in the middle of the table on the papers you needed!

Duncan came to us as a very young cat, trapped along with his brother Billy. Billy passed a couple of years ago, but our Duncan has kept on keeping on to the ripe old age of 22. Duncan has declined over the past few weeks and today he told us he was tired and his time with us had come to a close. He passed cradled in loving arms, surrounded by love and light, gentle whispers in his ears telling him he was the best kitty ever… and now he’s together with Billy again. Our hearts hurt to lose Duncan, but we celebrate the 22 years he has lived his best life at Shadow Cats. Over the years, Duncan has seen it all at the sanctuary – the comings and goings, the changes – and he has taken all in his stride with poise and elegance.

We love you, Duncan! We have wonderful memories that we will treasure forever. You brought us so much joy. Rest easy, sweet boy. You were a true icon at the sanctuary.

Thank you to all who cared for and loved Duncan, and his sponsors near and far.

Duncan had 4 Sponsors

“Duncan is a beautiful cat who reminds me of one of the first cats I had responsibility for.  Not too original; however, I was only seven so…  His eyes are so beautiful!  I guess I like black cats as Tiptoe, the other cat I sponsor, is also black.  Funny, none of the cats I now room with are black!”
-Debbie Patterson

Roxann Baranowski

Stuart McKnight

Judy Johnson

In Memory of Parker    6/14/2001 – 10/9/2019

Parker lived a long and happy life, but after 18 years we said good bye to this precious boy. He passed in loving arms this morning. He was diagnosed with a large mass in his liver, likely related to leukemia, yet despite this grim prognosis he continued to enjoy his life for many months more, always asking for food, always with something to say.

Parker was trapped as an older kitten who was well on his way to the feral lifestyle. Testing positive for leukemia, he came to the Sanctuary. He carried the FeLV virus but he found peace and happiness in Cookies and came out of his shell over the last half dozen years because of all the volunteers and staff who gave him so much attention. He loved being loved – it just took him awhile to realize it after his feral beginnings.

Rest in peace, Parker. You had our hearts.

Thank you to all the volunteers, staff, sponsors and all who loved him from afar. You made his life so much better.

Parker had 4 Sponsors

“This is in our Mindy’s memory, we loved her immensely and she is very much missed.”
-Yolanda & Gary McAninch

Amy Juried

“In memory of Harley”
-Di Richmond

“In memory of Riley”
-Susan Fisher-

In Memory of Cassie    5/1/2014 – 9/29/2019

Cassie was rescued off the streets of Taylor when her family moved and left her behind, but that was the last time she ever felt unwanted or unloved. From the moment she came to Shadow Cats she was cherished by all. Cassie was five and a half years old and for the last three she years she has been a beloved part of Shadow Cats.

Cassie was a strong spirited cat and while she much preferred human over feline company, she lived a good life in Cookie’s Place. You could always find her on the highest ramp watching the happenings along Brushy Creek but she was always the first one down when anyone came into the room. She loved to be told how beautiful she was and to have her fur stroked. Feline leukemia did not define her and she lived life large.

Cassie passed gently this morning in loving arms.

We thank our staff and volunteers who loved and cared for her each day, her sponsors and all those who loved her both near and far. You made her life here so much better. She was one of a kind and we’ll all miss her so very much.

Run free, Cassie girl.

Cassie had 5 Sponsors

Renee Vorbach

Kat Mogstad

Kevin and Margaret Hollembeak

Crystal Ferguson

Rebecca Rubero