SPECIAL ATTENTION: Arthur, this handsome fellow with tuxedo-style markings, is a favorite “senior” at Tabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuary. He is shown in Quinn’s Corner, the new expanded section for those like him, living with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), who must be apart from other cats.

By Jean Stratton

How to say goodbye and honor a cherished companion animal who is now gone? Some people might write a poem or a little story; others display photographs, perhaps a special dog collar or meaningful cat toy.

Jonathan Rosenberg chose to do something very different. When his 15-year-old cat, Tabby, succumbed to cancer, Rosenberg established Tabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuary. This was to become a haven for special needs cats and those desperate for care, who otherwise faced terrible circumstances and probably would not have survived.

As he explains, “In April of 1999, my wife and I learned that our beloved cat Tabby had untreatable cancer and only months to live. The painful realization of Tabby’s impending death gave me pause to think, ‘What was I doing with my life? Was I really making a difference? How could I honor Tabby, who had spent 15 years with us?’

“I resigned from my job, and committed myself to creating Tabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuary, in memory of our boy. Four years later, Tabby’s Place officially began its mission.”

Energy and Resources

A former CEO in the corporate world, he redirected his energy and resources to this new enterprise. Located at 1100 Route 202 in Ringoes, the site was chosen with his particular intention in mind, and he also designed the building according to his specific plans.

“I wanted the location to be easy to find on a major road, and in a building where the cats can thrive and be happy,” says Rosenberg. “I believe this is the only cat sanctuary like ours in the area.”

Accordingly, the 12,000-square-foot building offers a totally cat-friendly format in a bright open area. Filled with perches, ramps, elevated tunnel-type passages to outside solariums, and a variety of suites for eight to 15 cats to be together, it is currently home to 100 felines.

They are all ages, from kittens to older seniors, many with a number of medical conditions, as well as those that are completely healthy. All may be adopted, but if they are not, they will always be cared for at Tabby’s Place, explains development director Angela Townsend.

“The cats are all individuals with unique components and personalities,” she says. “We offer unconditional love for them. They can be animals who are too difficult to place anywhere else, who are forgotten and without care. We are advocates for them. They are the center of our world, and they will always have a home with us.”

The Tabby’s Place mission statement reinforces this view. “We embrace the neediest cats regardless of age, most medical issues, or temperament, making us a harbor of hope for the most desperate.

“Love and grace characterize our interactions with everyone who enters Tabby’s Place, feline or otherwise. We strive to treat each person and cat with respect, compassion, and generosity of spirit. The phrase ‘Tabby’s Place Family’ is not a cliche; our donors, volunteers, staff, and cats are a true community of love.”

One-of-a-Kind

The environment is truly one-of-a-kind, where cats have room to roam, always under the watchful eyes of attentive staff and volunteers.

A number of cats, who live in the lobby, are those with special needs or new to Tabby’s, and who benefit from extra supervision. Others are in sites with perches, even bunk beds, and numerous friendly accoutrements, including blankets and toys.

One of the unusual aspects of Tabby’s is the expanded opportunity for the cats to be together for socialization and interaction. This is also true for those with special needs, notes Townsend.

“Forty percent of our cats are special needs, with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, blindness, and paraplegia,” she says. “We currently have eight paraplegic cats, and they can be together with the others. Although their rear legs are paralyzed, they can propel themselves forward with their front legs and upper body strength. This is not painful, and they move about very well.”

Reading Program

All are cared for with personal attention, and a variety of programs are available for the cats, says Townsend, who has been with the organization for 16 years. These include visits to nursing homes with docile, friendly cats who are welcomed by the home’s residents.

“We also have a stroller program in which we take some of the cats outside for a ride. A number of the cats really enjoy this. We also welcome children who come to read to the cats. This is really a program for the kids to practice their reading and who enjoy spending time with kitties! We do have a lot going on.”

As she points out, most of the cats at Tabby’s are adopted, including those with special needs. Even those with the often fatal feline leukemia virus (FeLV) have been adopted.

The facility has recently added a new section, Quinn’s Corner, for cats with this affliction. Since the disease is highly contagious, these animals must be isolated from the other cats.

Quinn’s Corner has a special story, explains Townsend, and is another example of the devoted care all the animals receive at Tabby’s.

It begins as follows, according to the organization’s report: “No one would have looked upon a tiny kitten frozen in the snow and declared, ‘She is going to change the world.’

“Quinn was that snowbound kitten. A good Samaritan found her, and immediately took her to Tabby’s. But no sooner did she survive her initial trauma than she tested positive for FeLV.”

The staff quickly established an isolation room for her, and then a woman arrived, wanting to adopt a cat that “no one else wanted.” She immediately chose Quinn, even knowing that her illness, which suppresses the immune system, could end her life within a few months.

Generous Pledge

Remarkably, Quinn lived to be a healthy, active cat for many years. As the story continues, Quinn’s adopter, knowing that many other cats like Quinn would not be so fortunate, came again to Tabby’s Place, and made a generous pledge to help provide a new expanded section specifically to house these very vulnerable cats.

“She was determined to work with us to change the world for these wonderful cats. Now, we can care for these special kitties in a safe, protected area,” points out Townsend.

Eighteen staff members, including a veterinarian and three vet technicians, and 300 volunteers care for all the animals at Tabby’s. Cats are typically brought to the facility once a week (depending on available space) by animal control officers. In addition, while most arrive from the local area, they come from public animal shelters around the U.S., and also from organizations overseas. Tabby’s is also involved in an area trap, neuter, return (TNR) program in which feral cats are spayed and neutered in order to control their population.

“Once they are part of our TNR program, they receive diligent feeding and close attention, so if any of them seem unwell, they can come to Tabby’s Place for treatment. And we also try to find homes for kittens born in the feral colonies,” reports Townsend.

When a new animal arrives, it is examined by the vet for injuries or diseases, and then quarantined for three weeks to make sure there are no infections.

Once the quarantine time has expired, depending on their condition, they will join the other cats or be isolated in case of FeLV, or if they have other special needs to be addressed.

BEST FRIEND: Jonathan Rosenberg, founder and executive director of Tabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuary, is shown with Erin, a former longtime resident with special needs. They are hanging out together in the lobby of this special home for cats.

3,000 Pounds

A healthy diet is important, and Townsend reports that Tabby’s provides numerous prescription diets to its residents based on their needs. “We also go through 3,000 pounds of kitty litter every month, and each cat is weighed and its nails trimmed once a month.”

An X-ray room is available, and depending on the medical condition, surgery can be performed on the premises in the sterile surgical suite. If more extensive care is needed, the cat will be taken to an emergency clinic that has the necessary resources for more comprehensive treatment.

Adoptions, regardless of age and medical condition, are encouraged at Tabby’s. Those wishing to adopt can consult the website for specific information. The cats can be viewed online before prospective adopters visit in person to meet with an adoption counselor. A $135 adoption fee is charged, but there are often discounts and promotions available.

“Pairing the animal with the right person is very important,” points out Townsend. “Our adoption counselor helps in finding the right match.”

Tabby’s is supported by donations from individuals and corporations, which provide matching gifts, or even double the gifts from their employees. An annual fundraiser is also held.

“This year it is the Linda Fund Matching Challenge,” says Townsend. “Named for a critically injured kitten we received in 2011 (who made a full recovery), this annual fund drive raises money for the emergency and specialty care of our cats. Through September 8, all donations up to $150,000 will be matched. Further information is on the website.”

Sponsorship Programs

“Other opportunities for those wishing to donate include sponsorship programs,” she adds. “Donors may sponsor a special needs cat or donate in honor or memory of a loved one.”

In addition, Tabby’s is very glad to receive in-kind donations, and current needs are listed on the website.

All donations are appreciated, and as Rosenberg says, “I would like people to know that we are grateful for each and every donation we receive. And, of course, we are always happy when a cat is saved by any organization.”

The opportunity to provide such a welcoming and healing facility for cats in need at Tabby’s Place is a source of great pride for him and Angela Townsend.

As he points out, it is truly a team effort. “The pride I feel is not personal but collaborative. With that in mind, I am proudest of the way in which Tabby’s Place has been true to its mission of ‘saving cats from hopeless situations’ while also serving as a place of comfort and healing for people.”

“This is such an amazing place, a strong community of love, with tenderness toward the most vulnerable. No one here ever gives up on anyone,” emphasizes Townsend. “There is a surprise every day. We constantly witness how wide and open the human heart can be; in a million different ways, people give selflessly to these animals.”

Its mission statement describes Tabby’s Place as “a harbor of hope,” and indeed, this unique organization is surrounded by hope. It is everywhere — with the staff, those willing to adopt the neediest, and with the environment pervading Tabby’s. As was said when Quinn’s Corner was established, “Hope can be as quiet as the sunrise as a new day dawns.”

For more information, call (908) 237-5300. Visit the website at tabbysplace.org.