Who we are

Cherry Street Cats is me (Robin), my husband Steve, Sandi, Michelle, Verena, Vinyse, Derek, Kent, and Connie, a group of dedicated cat lovers who care for a colony of feral cats in the east end of Toronto. I also have a great rescue team of Lesley, Joanne, and Susan. Together we do our best to make the lives better for feral and homeless cats and kittens. 900+ cats helped in nine years!



Thursday, May 24, 2012

The saddest post of all

This morning Sandi and I went to the vet to be with Tina while she was euthanized.  It was time to end her suffering.  She had compound medical issues and just wasn't recovering.  A bone infection, a URI, fluid in her lungs and abdomen, low temp, a weak heart, still not eating, there was no coming back for our beloved girl.
Tina in her glory days
It has been a gruelling two weeks, first trying to trap her and then trying to save her.  Jackson's loss was sudden and tragic, but Tina has been way harder, watching her just a shadow of her former self, hoping against hope she would rebound.  We love all the ferals but the ones we can pat, who meet you with recognition, are harder to lose.  Tina would come to greet us, always hungry, happy for a bit of attention.  She lived in the best part of the yard, with a trailer, lots of shelter and safety.  We saw her every day we fed.  Last year I remember how upsetting it was when she didn't show up for days.  We searched everywhere and finally found her trapped inside a boat, it was only because she was in a window meowing that we found her.

It is devastating to lose Tina and Jackson in a six month period.  That's the thing with feral colonies, the goal is to TNR them all and ultimately the colony will cease to exist.  What they don't talk about in the literature about TNR is the emotional connection you develop with these cats and how you deal with the death of them all.  There are still 19 cats left and I will have to lose them all but I know their lives have been better for our involvement.

Rest easy, sweet Tina, and I will see you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
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7 comments:

  1. NorthmoonMay 24, 2012 at 11:20 AM

    So sorry for your loss. RIP Tina.

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  2. DebMay 24, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    This saddens me, too. Every cat is so special and some really work their way into your heart. Thank you for making her life easier while she was here. She may have ended up alone and hungry like so many do. You were her friend and she loved you. Take care, Deb

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  3. HeatherMay 25, 2012 at 8:23 AM

    I've been following this blog for some time now. Thanks for the work you do and Tina lived a better life because of you. You've had so much heartbreak recently. My thoughts are with you, your crew, and especially Tina.

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  4. MegatronMay 25, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    What you did for Tina was give her the dignity in her passing that every animal deserves. Thank for you all the work you do.

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  5. Safe Haven HotelMay 25, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    As a fellow cat rescuer, I sympathize, offer my condolences on the passing of Tina, and most of hope to remind you that the work you do is vital and so precious. This sweet baby girl and the countless others that have and do cross your path know that. When it seems especially hard think of the ones like Flossy who have been completely transformed because you took the time to care.............that's a priceless gift.

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  6. Robin SarafinchanMay 25, 2012 at 10:32 PM

    Thank you all for your lovely comments. I know Tina had a better life because of us, and I'll continue to try to prevent more cats from having to live a life on the street.

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  7. What would nature do?June 27, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    Oh, Robin, I am so, so sad to read this. The tears just keep on flowing... and I only knew and helped care for Tina for 2 winters. I cannot imagine how difficult this has been. You are all in my thoughts and I hope for sunnier days. xoxo - brandy

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