Our Story
Pic of Sharon Clark, Founder of Cat Posse with cat Sascha
It all started when…
Founding board member and animal lover Sharon Clark originally began volunteering with a friend at the monthly Best Friends Catnipper Clinics (spay/neuter clinics for feral cats). Her involvement there led to her trapping feral cats to bring to the clinics, and eventually she and two friends started their own rescue group, The Pawd Squad.
The Pawd Squad rescued both cats (focusing on seniors) and dogs and was in operation from 2001 to 2008. In July 2007, a local horse racing track decided to evict all cats that were living on the premises. Although these cats had been spayed, neutered and were being fed by a few kind people over the years, the cats were being eliminated. When the Pawd Squad learned about the imminent demise of these felines, they rescued 17 cats, many of them seniors. These race track cats were the first inductees of what became The Cat Posse. The Cat Posse was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2008.
““There are other options for younger cats but not very many choices for the oldies who come with such history, personality and goofy quirks and many times health issues to boot. ” ”
“This life is not easy and certainly isn't for everyone. It is expensive, painful and heartbreaking. It is also the most rewarding thing we have ever done and we couldn't imagine living any other way. As long as we have a life to offer we'll continue to help the animals the rest of the world has forgotten. We can't save them all but we are helping the ones we can.”
– Gail and Brad Schmidt, Volunteers
““Being in the Cat Rescue “business” requires a lot of work, a lot of energy, and a lot of money. It can also be incredibly heart breaking at times. But at the end of each day, when the catteries are clean, the cats are fed, and the kitties are waiting for their nightly pets/rubs/scratches, it is very clear to all of us that this is the absolute right thing to be doing.” ”