HOW TO HELP:

Individuals can still help cats like Twix even if they don't want to adopt. Tabby's Place has a

where people can sponsor a special needs cat for a minimum of $14 a month. The money will help pay for the cat's medical care and sponsors will receive monthly updates on how their cat is doing

Suffering from a weakened immune system, 3-year-old Twix was on the fast track to the purrly gates.

It is not that the cat could not live to scratch posts for years to come, but given the surplus of stray cats in Camden County, she was on the shortlist for euthanasia.

Luckily for the long-haired cat with feline immunodeficiency virus, she was rescued a few weeks ago and pet taxied north to a cage-free, no-kill shelter.

Twix arrived at Tabby's Place in East Amwell Township to much fanfare because, as fate would have it, she was their thousandth rescue.

The shelter's development director, Angela Townsend, insists that Twix is not getting special treatment, but said they are taking more photos of her than the typical furball.

For nearly eight years, Tabby's has been rescuing cats from shelters all over the Garden State, and even if they can't be adopted out, can live out their days in a "cage-free, love-filled comfort, regardless of age, personality or medical needs."

Tabby's can hold 100 cats at a time. As one cat gets adopted, another gets saved.

The cost to run a no-kill shelter, complete with outdoor "solariums," five cat suites, and a mini-hospital, is nothing to cough a hairball at.

Townsend said it cost between $600,000 to $700,000 a year to operate Tabby's.

Support for Tabby's mission appears to have touched many people. The majority of donations, 98 percent, come from individuals.

Hunterdon County Freeholder Ron Sworen said he was glad Tabby's Place was able to slightly reduce the county's stray cat problem.

For now, Twix is living in the FIV positive suite with eight other cats. Townsend is hopeful she will be adopted.

Five cats with FIV have been adopted this year and 12 last year, according to Townsend.

Next up for Tabby's is their eighth anniversary on Oct.1. Catoberfest, which is still being planned, will feature live music, free pet classes, auctions, and other activities.