Update Februray 11, 2008:

... I want to let you know, is about the shelter that took upon themselves the security and well being of over 50 of kathy's cats. Ruth had arranged it with them on the promise from kathy that money would be going to them after she was gone. i can vouch for these people... they are marvelous and their refuge is a very good one in the country and the animals their are well taken care of and loved.

Unfortunately the executor of kathy's estate was either not told by Kathy (or possibly was) and it was not specified in her will. The executor is saying it is not possible to give them any money as it would come out of their share. Ruth was promised by Kathy $100 dollars per cat would go to this couple that stepped in and saved this huge ammount of Kathy's rescues. Ruth continues to ask but is resigning herself to it continuing to be denied.

In this light, we are in hopes that even though not a single adoption resulted from our Internet efforts, that perhaps an appeal to help out this refuge would be easier for people to do. Would you please let people know that this couple who run the refuge do a tremendous job, are totally devoted to their animals and need all the help they can get in keeping things going. For every donation, great or small a tax receipt will be issued and they are indeed a registered non profit outfit.

Donations would be made out to:

Micheline Cloutier Refuge of The Last Hope

And mailed to:

Micheline Cloutier Refuge of The Last Hope
1269 Hazelwood
Hinchinbrook, Quebec, Canada
J0S 1A0

Roland and his partner Micheline are excellent people. I know them, Ruth has known them years, Ruth has seen the facility many times. I have given Micheline, many times, clothes and shoes that no longer fit or I could not wear as they do not spend any money on themselves apart from utilities, food and transportation. Every other penny goes to their rescued animals health and happiness. Roland has been injured and is unable to do his previous work so their income is limited. He is a gifted man who knows so much about computers and can fix them and set them up for people but he can' (won't) afford one for himself. he fixed my computer and refused money for the job and even threw in a brand new keyboard and set of speakers. He still refused payment untill I insisted it was for the animals. Then he took it. they are proud people and very self sufficient but the animals are number one. We sincerely hope that the people who see this appeal will perhaps help them out and include a little note perhaps, letting them know they are appreciated. They trully deserve that.

Pat

In 2007...>

Kathy has been a life-long animal rescuer. Until she went into the hospital September 13, she was living in her Montreal home with her son, many many cats and the last two of her dogs. Kathy had a rare form of cancer in years previous and had beat it. She continued her rescue and fostering, at one time having six dogs (three from a terrible puppy mill - fox terriers). On top of her animal rescues, Kathy's life included many foster children over the years, and she was a wonderful dance teacher to many aspiring young girls. She even rescued me and my five cats, when life struck me hard repeatedly and finally left me homeless with no where to go. "You can come live here and all your cats too" She said when I asked if she might take one or two of my precious ones. In fact I met Kathy when I adopted the first of the five I then had, a tubby little tabby she called Mrs. Purrington, that she had indeed saved the life of twice already. The first was when Mrs. Purrington was smuggled off of death row at the local SPCA in the middle of the night by a "contact". The second time was when someone else took her to foster her and let her out unspayed. Kathy found her and saved her life again and adopted out her kittens and kept her until I adopted her. I called her Hunny Plumpkin and she became my creative outlet, bringing "poetree" to her friends at the then Acme site of Cat's Window.

The beautiful lady that has given so much fell ill again last summer. Her cancer had metastasized to her brain and she had two brain tumors removed. Her recovery was slow but she did recover and returned to her teaching and rescuing. A great number of cats and all but two dogs were found homes or permanent shelter with excellent and loving people. That done and all of us looking ahead, I found myself, and my four remaining cats (Pegapus got her permanent wings), our new home last fall. Kathy's house spilled over still with many cats and indeed over the last year a number more in need found shelter with Kathy.

Kathy's cancer has returned and it is a very rare and especially virulent cancer. She wont't be coming home to her beloved cats and dogs and has had to explain this to her young son. Kathy is 66, and her adopted son that she has had since he was just 2 weeks old is only 11. Arrangements have been set in place for him and indeed he has been in the care of friends since her hospitalization. And as for her home and the innocents there, friends have been contributing the needed hours of housekeeping and animal care needed daily. It is IMPERATIVE that we find safe haven for every one of these beloved animals. Through the tireless work of our contacts here, some cats have been adopted since the 13th. Some are to be adopted very shortly. One dog has gone to her new forever home and the other appears to have found a good home... if integration with the resident two dogs works out.

That leaves about 30 cats that need forever homes or fosterers or no-kill shelter. Every local avenue is being exploited to this cause; web sites of local recuers and no-kill shelters are doing courtesy listings, community paper advertisements have been placed, radio spots by an animal-loving radio host, and even a write up with Kathy's story will be going in to the local "Senior Times", and local vets and individual rescuers and animal lovers are going the distance... but to place this amount (and remember we have been placing continually since last year) we need the help of those farther away.

The person (a volunteer who works full time so be patient) to contact is Angela:
You can reach her at angelhunter72@hotmail.com
Please use the Subject line "Kathy's Cats" for your first email, and at least until contact has been established both ways.

A secondary contact email address will reach me, Pat. It is kathyskats@yahoo.ca
Please Use the same Subject line as above until mutual contact has been made. I have become somewhat of a repository for digital pictures of the cats, but I hasten to add that we don't have pictures for all of them as of this posting (there will be) and of the pictures that I do have (from last year) some are already adopted or housed elswhere. I am attempting to have another person, Ruth (who does not have email), assist me in confirming which pictures I have that are still viable. Ruth is truly our mainstay and has devoted her own time, effort and money, daily, to care for these animals and their home. She will hopefully find time this week from this collossal schedule to review the pictures with me. She has her own household and an alley colony that she cares for too! A lot of people are juggling a lot of plates. Too much and too many to go into here.

The bottom line is this, this amazing, beautiful, courageous and devoted woman, Kathy, has given so much to so many and has never backed down from the opportunity to keep giving more. Until now. She knows she is dying. She is graceful and at peace with that... and she is counting on that peace to endure with the knowledge we won't let a single one of her precious kitties fall through the cracks.

If you can help, with a loving home, contact us. If you can help with fostering/sheltering contact us. If you can help provide transport, contact us. Please.

The image of Kathy and Friend above is copyrighted 2007 by Elizabeth
Please don't take it.