Anyone who has ever worked in animal welfare can understand what an emotional roller coaster working in a shelter can be. Some days are more difficult than others, and we accept the unpredictable emotions as part of the job description. Some days we are overloaded with joy, some days with anger, and some days with sadness. Today, we are overwhelmed with all three.

Animals come into our care for many different reasons, but the reason usually involves a human neglecting their responsibilities for the animals in their care. Those are the cases that make us angry. Today, however, we aren’t angry about a human’s negligence. We are angry about the evils of cancer, and the things it forces people to do. Today, a loving human companion made the ultimate sacrifice in what will be the loneliest and scariest time in her life. She brought her three “children” to us, because she is in stage 4 of lung cancer.

As you can imagine, the medical bills are mounting as she continues to fight this ugly disease. As it often goes in times of financial crisis, she is forced to rob Peter to pay Paul. She has now been evicted from her home, and will be moving to Pennsylvania to spend her last days in the care of her 80 year old father. As much as she would appreciate the company of her 3 cats in her darkest hours, she knows it will be best for them if she can focus what little energy she has left on making sure they have a wonderful new home like the one they had with her.

Almost always, the decisions made at the shelter begin with the question, “What is best for the animals?” Today, we also have to consider “What is best for the human?” Jane’s dying wish is for her three cats to stay together as a family. We at the RVSPCA are committed to granting her wish, so that she may pass in peace. We want nothing more than to be able to call Jane in a short amount of time, and share the good news of her children being adopted into one loving home for the holidays. In times like these, there is power in numbers. We ask your help to spread the word about these 3 cats and help us find the perfect family for Jane’s babies.

Allow us to introduce them to you. Molly is a female grey tabby who is almost 3 years old. Like many grey tabbies, she is an introverted girl who prefers keep to herself. Molly often sneaks affection from her human when the others are catnapping. Micah and Noah are brothers who have been together since they were kittens. They are just over a year old now. Michah, a solid black shorthair cat, is described as a “Mama’s boy”, who “wants to touch you at all times”. Noah is a seal point Siamese mix, described as a “love bug” that prefers a spot in his human’s lap to any other perch.

The story of Jane and her cats is a humbling reminder to all of us to count our blessings. We never know what the future holds; we only have this moment. Hug your family members for Jane, since she can’t hug hers anymore. Pay your blessings forward by sharing this with someone who might be able to help us keep this family in tact and find Molly, Michah, and Noah a home for the holidays.