Like a scene right out of Hollywood, cats, mostly kittens, peered out from piles of debris strewn around a boarded up housing project. Some trotted even full out ran to us at the sight of help -- the littlest ones being just 3 weeks old. And there’s still more there. St. Meows, already filled at the brim with cats in long-term care, is the only nokill shelter, willing to help these cats. We had to drive over 2 hours to do so. Hartford, Connecticut is the last place you’d want to be a stray in New England. Unlike here in the Bay state, there are no privately, nonprofit run shelters. Animal rescue is draconian, handled by local governments. Dogs are euthanized in just 10 days after being picked up. Cats aren’t so “lucky.” The state does not provide any grace period for cats. Animal control officers are only allowed to pick them up and transfer them for immediate euthanasia. It is a double edge sword, considering the high rate of abandonment of pets in Connecticut. And these are not feral or shy cats with street savvy or experience on how to survive on their own. In fact, the Hartford cats purred from just mere contact with us. There is Emile, who limped his way to us and squinted as us with his one working eye, as if to say, if you can see me – help me. A petite and pregant tuxedo, just a baby herself, made it back with us andhas quickly become a favorite her with her frisky personality. We also rescued a trio of siblings, all about 6 months old, hungry like the rest, sweet like the rest, so hopefully there is a home out there for them. The windows they used to stare ut of they stared into, trying to stay sheltered beneath a couch surrounded by scatters of household items – including a litterbox. Plans to raze the crime-riddled housing project got underway just days after we made our first sweep. We took far more than we had room for. But thanks to our wonderful network of foster homes and a cracker jack veterinarian, we have made do with the situation. We have met all state requirements, regarding isolation, vaccination, and mandatory holding periods. Now, we need your help. If you have room in your heart and in your home, please come to one of our adoption days to meet these loveable felines. If you can’t make a scheduled adoption event, we can set up an appointment to visit some of them in their foster homes. All our cats receive complete veterinarian examinations, any other needed care such as deworming or defleaing are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and now – all our cats microchipped. All this for only $125 adoption fee. Their love is free and priceless. And if you’ve never come home that first time to a rescued pet – you ought to try it. Nothing compares to the wonderful feeling you’ll get!

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