Kind person tells her tale of caring for colony of 15 feral cats every day for 12 years, showing them kindness when no one else would: 'Major chapter of my life has closed'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 17, 2025 12:00 PM EST

One of the things that makes the cat community so pawesome is its people. Cat lovers will do anything for cats - like caring for a colony of 15 feral cats for 12 years. Every day, rain or shine, this kind woman below went out of her way and spent her hard-earned money to care for the stray cats below out of the kindness of her heart. She didn't even really get anything in return, other than watching the cats go from barely surviving to somewhat social over the years. At least when we care for our cats, we get some kisses and snuggles. She just got the satisfaction of knowing she's doing something good for the world.

Not many people would do such a thing. Caring for feral cats is pawsitively exhausting. They don't have the same tendency for affection that house cats do, and most aren't accustomed to hooman attention. But she gradually earned their trust and became a respected member of their little feline family. After 12 years, though, her fateful watch has come to an end, as all the kitties have either left or been adopted. 

Her days will never be the same, but she can sleep easily at night knowing that she gave these cats a better life than they ever could have hoped for. They knew kindness thanks to her.

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  • 01
    Have been looking after a feral colony that started out 15 cats strong for almost 12 years and this past Sunday I have the last cat.. 12 years of visiting them daily twice a day, rain or shine.
    via OneSkepticalOwl
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  • 03
    They have absolutely ruled my life without them knowing anything about it. Made decisions about my jobs and buying a house with them in mind, and did not go anywhere longer than 8-10 hours because they had to be fed.
    via OneSkepticalOwl

  • That is true dedication. She really became their mom, taking care and making sure they had at least something to eat. Was it Fancy Feast? Probably not. But whatever she gave them was certainly better than nothing.

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  • 05
    The office building I worked in had a fire on a cold, snowy February night and we had to relocate to a nearby hotel temporarily. A day or two after I came back from lunch and parked in a new spot at the back of the parking lot. Before I could even turn my car off I was
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  • 07
    ambushed by a half or so dozen cats asking for food.. Naturally, I turned around and raided the nearby convenience store for cat food and the rest is history.
    via OneSkepticalOwl
  • 08
    It has been an incredible experience, both happy and sad. Caring for ferals is very draining emotionally. The constant worry about them getting hit by cars in the parking lot, people messing with them or
    via OneSkepticalOwl
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  • 10
    them getting sick/injured can be tough to deal with. On the other hand, seeing them prosper and bonding to you made it all worth it. Learned a lot about people as well along the way and most of it was not flattering.
    via OneSkepticalOwl
  • 11
    It will be very weird not having to make the trip everyday. For those of you in NJ, they were known as the "Hilton cats" in Iselin
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    EDIT: Thank you all for the kind words, very much appreciated! BTW, the last picture is the last cat. She was the first I saw from this colony months before discovering the rest of the cats and she was the last one I saw. Funny how this works
    via OneSkepticalOwl
  • 14
    JustBronzeThingsLoL I got one of my cats similarly. I was TNRing my way through a colony behind the warehouse i worked in, and one of the kittens didn't want to be R'd. But yea i was out there everyday during my lunch break to feed them. I built little thermal shelters out of totes and straw. Loved those kitties
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    jwhit88 I love that this is not about what you did, rather, it's a memorial to an experience you had. Thanks for your kindness.
    via jwhit88

  • Stray cats are often seen as nuisances, pests in neighborhoods. But these cats deserve to be loved just as much as any house cat, they just haven't learned how to accept love yet. All cats want a warm place to sleep and security; they just have to be taught that hoomans can give it to them, if given the chance. 

  • 17
    AnAcctWithout Purpose Thank you for looking after them. And I assumed they are on the TNR, so the colony came to its natural end? You've made their lives so much better, and I am thankful for people like you who would take care of these babies. - Meowmy of two former feral TNR rescues.
    via AnAcctWithoutPurpose
  • 18
    Unhappy-Attention760 Bless you OP. Kindness lasts forever
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    Rocknbob69 There is a special place in some sort of heaven for people with this kind of compassion.
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    cyborg_swords10 Your post brought a tear to my eye. You are a lovely human being, absolutely top tier.
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  • 21
    Reasonable-Salad8484 This made me cry. That's an incredibly kind thing you did, and sustaining it for so many years speaks volumes about your character. I wish more people were like you.
    via Reasonable-Salad8484
  • 22
    dbtl87 Thank you so much. These cats knew love for 12 years and that's all thanks to you.
    via dbtl87
  • 23
    ramennoodlegypsy Thank you, their lives were better for the sacrifices you made.
    via ramennoodlegypsy
  • 24
    Massive-Drummer-9708 I hope you find something just as meaningful as these cats to fill the void in your heart while making the world a better place. Thank you!
    via Massive-Drummer-9708
  • 25
    silchi I have a parent that worked for years in the office building next to the Hilton (I'm guessing the same building you're in!). Do you still get a nesting pair of geese next to the entrance door? I remember them always being so grumpy and territorial. Hopefully the cats steered clear!
    via silchi
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    kimlobdell5775 Thank you for giving a damn, when most wouldn't. My Mom took over feeding the ferals that my grandmother used to take care of, and I helped her find out how to do TNR. She's down to 3 outside and 2 that she brought into the house.
    via kimlobdell5775
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    SticklnEye Calico I'm so glad I read this first thing this morning. Simply heartwarming.
    via SticklnEye

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stray cats wholesome adorable heartwarming kindness cute cats chapter feral cats Cats animals
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