What do kibble and Amazon have in common? Katie's Place! 

So, you may be aware that we accidentally ran out of kibble one Tuesday in early March….. Our Facebook and Instagram mavens put a call out on our social media and within hours, bags of kibble started turning up at the shelter gates. The kibble continued to flow in  and it culminated in us receiving over 170 parcels from Amazon via Facebook and our Amazon wish list. We have been totally blown away by this generosity. It's so heart warming that our community has come out for us at this time of need. So, a big thank you to all of you who brought in kibble, told our local pet stores and veterinary practices about it (we received cartloads from these places) and not to forget those who did pick ups and the others who spent a rainy Saturday afternoon playing tetris with the Amazon boxes so that they'd fit into the shed!

Finally, we'll be sending a big shout out to Amazon who, when they heard our story, offered us three vans and three drivers to help bring the parcels to us and help unload and sort it all!!!

Even MORE Good Mews!

We have so much to be grateful for and it’s another reminder that we can only do this thanks to you.

We are very lucky to have a wonderful benefactor who has a family foundation that has supported the shelter in the past. This year, they kindly offered to make a donation to Katie's Place and they suggested they would match fund any donations made through the month of March to the value of $10,000.

We can do a heck of a lot with $20,000, but we knew it was a big ask, and while we were hopeful we just weren't sure whether we could raise $10,000 in one month. But, we figured every dollar raised is a dollar that helps the cats, so we went for it!

With this in mind, you can imagine how stunned we were to hit $14497.60 on March 31. It's incredible! 

That's $24,497.60 that'll go straight into veterinary care. It'll pay the emerg vet bills for the two blocked cats that came in over the weekend of March 15, plus 70 non-complex neuters or 35 spays. Put another way, it would pay for 90 diagnostic blood panels or 34 dentals. $24,490.60 will pay for enough insulin to treat 7 diabetic cats for 3 years.

So, we have so much to be grateful for and it’s another reminder that we can only do this thanks to you.

RIP Post - Boeing

Click here to visit Boeings RIP memorial post on Instagram and leave a comment to show him he is loved and missed. 

Kimmi, our Instagram Maven wrote: ‘Four years ago, when I first began managing Instagram for Katie's Place, I strove to share every cat's story to the best of my ability. Every cat has a unique background. Every cat should be seen, valued, appreciated, loved; their story heard.

In doing Instagram, I chose to be their voice, their advocate; their friend. Some (not all) of our cats come from difficult and sensitive situations; while some of our cats are in decent shape when they arrive at Katie's. We take in cats that are ill when they arrive; many are senior cats, strays, feral cats, FIV cats, abandoned, or neglected. 

We open our door and our hearts to every one of the cats. No exception. We treat each of these cats with love and respect. Some of our cats discover for the very first time what love feels like. If they've been quite stand-offish or wary, when they finally choose to remove their coat of armour- they often can't get enough of the love offered to them. They blossom in front of our eyes. This brings us a lot of joy… it is the cats' unexpected gift to us. 

Our volunteering is well-paid in this single aspect. 

As much as we strive to find every cat a suitable home to fit their individual needs and personalities; some cats are never chosen for adoption. It is not just cats with difficult personalities, black cats, senior cats, or cats with any number of issues that are not adopted… Sometimes it is cats that have nice dispositions, and have no issues at all- that for reasons unbeknownst to us are still not chosen for adoption. We don't know why this is.

It just is.

In sharing the cats stories, photos, videos over time, I found one of the things that impacted me personally the most- is when a cat just never found a home at all and ended up passing away (for whatever reason) while they were living at the shelter. This is when I began to do RIP posts; to commemorate and celebrate the life of the particular cat that died. It felt  wrong to me- to not say a word and continue on doing daily posts. I didn't want the cat to disappear by the wayside. 

The cat that passed mattered to us deeply. It turned out that Katie's Place had become their Forever Home... we were their "Forever Family." 

I wanted to honour the cat by doing a RIP post. Just because it was not "chosen" for adoption- this in no way negates the value of that cat to us. We loved the cat, it mattered to us and always will…

It might sound corny, but I cry every time I write a RIP post for one of our cats that crosses the Rainbow Bridge. I suppose that's a good sign- because I'm not a "crier" by nature and this says how much the departed cat mattered. Deeply. Having said all this- I almost decided to stop doing RIP posts for our cats that cross the bridge because I heard a few people say these posts made them feel sad. This left me with mixed feelings. Although it is not my intention to make anyone feel sad- I want to honour our cats that pass, especially while in our care.

So...I was mulling over whether I should stop doing RIP posts when we suddenly lost Boeing. Boeing was a beautiful cat; a sweetheart that was never chosen for adoption.

Boeing had been losing some weight, and a trip to the vet revealed a mass on his abdomen. 

The grief for all of us ran deep. I decided to do a RIP post for Boeing, especially because we were his final home and family; even though I still had a bit of reservation because of the few people that had said they felt sad reading the RIP posts.

I went ahead and wrote a RIP post for the beauty of Boeing, to commemorate him because he was such a great cat. 

I feel the Universe knew the conflicted feelings I had on this subject and enlightened me to know that it IS important and even appreciated by a vast majority to honour these cats. 

I wrote Boeing's post on February 17th and the likes have reached 3,777 and are still rolling in and there are at present 504 comments; touching and heartfelt on Boeing's RIP post.

While I understand the sadness people feel when a shelter cat dies, I feel it is very important to celebrate their life by giving them a RIP post, a final salute, a tribute. These cats were valued, they mattered, they were deeply loved. 

A Katie's Place Cat is a part of our Katie's Place Family.  Forever.

This edition's happy tails adoption story is starring the lovely Twinkle, from the Main Pen!!! 

Twinkle came to us on October 6th 2023, over 1.5 years ago !!! Prior to that she had spent some time at the SPCA, where she was exhibiting some aggressive behaviors. For those of you who know Twinkle , you would know she could have a spicy side!!! But, she also had the biggest cuddle bug side. There were plenty of times she would spend hours snuggling on a volunteer's lap, purring away contentedly. We all knew she just needed the right home to be able to thrive…. Luckily she has now found that home!!!!

Twinkle has gone off to live with a lovely couple in a quiet home where she will be the only cat !!!! They spent a lot of weekends visiting with her before she came home, even when she didn’t want visitors. All their visits paid off because in her new home, Twinkle's spicy side is a thing of the past!!!! She spends her days making biscuits , sitting on her cat shelf and being the lap cat she always dreamed of being. At 5 years old, twinkle has her whole life ahead of her with her purrfect family to look forward to. Thank you to all the volunteers who spent time snuggling and socializing Twinkle to get her to a point where she could be adopted!!!

Our main objective at Katie's Place is to ultimately find a forever home for every cat that crosses our threshold. 

Overall, we have great success attaining this goal. 

We are ecstatic every time one of our cats finds a loving home. Especially, given that so many of our shelter cats have come to us from compromised living situations. 

While we pride ourselves on the great haven we've created for our cats at Katie's Place...

Nothing really beats a solid and loving forever home. 

A quieter abode where cats can soak up the love and comfort of their new families and fall into the rhythm of a dependable daily routine. 

This offers stability.

Still, we know that there are some cats that have a very low chance at adoption. 

Often these cats live with assorted ailments. Some of these cats are diabetic, hyperthyroid, some have a lot of "cattitude" or have issues such as peeing inappropriately. 

We house many cats like this. Many were surrendered to us because of these issues. While we understand that these conditions can be challenging to deal with- we still know that these cats have value.

They still deserve a quality life.

Each of these cats is a life force with their own unique set of personality traits. We grow to love them all...even the quirky cats.

Often these special cats become our "Hallway Cats"... or more aptly coined- our "Hallway Hooligans." 

This is actually a bit of a perk at Katie's Place, because these cats get the benefit of more attention from volunteers and visitors, as they are housed in the thick of things. Smack in the middle of traffic. They also reap the benefits of garden time... which is their treasured time  to catch the breeze, bask in the sun, nibble on and roll in the grass, be a part of the great outdoors, beyond the confines of the shelter. These cats LOVE *garden* time. 

Our recently departed Holly Hobbie so enjoyed her time in the garden. We are happy to give these special cats all the little perks we can offer them, as we know Katie's Place is likely to be their  Forever Home. 

So, when you see us letting these furkids drink from the kitchen tap, curl up on the dryer, or hang out in the cool spot (the meds room), you'll understand that this little bit of leeway is allowed because they likely will never get adopted. 

So, yes- we give them some rope. They seem to all know this and run with it and stretch it as far as pawsible. Smart kitties.

Most of you will remember our dearly departed Duke. He was a great Hallway Hooligan. He came to us in Sept 2020 at 15 years old. He was a cheerful fella, highly regarded by the other Hallway Hooligans because, well he was just a nice, easy going cat! 

We spoilt Duke a bit because he was very easy to spoil. One look into his green eyes and you were a goner! Yes, we did his bidding.

We have so many special Hallway Hooligans. 

Let's meet a few.

Meet Springer. He came to Katie's scrawny, angry and out-of-sorts. Over time, Springer has mellowed and is quite even-keel, has filled out and has a lovely fur coat. He's actually very sweet now!

He even allows us to pet him - before that was a definite no-no!

Springer loves the hallway and the garden! Teeny 

Blutarsky came in as a stray, mid winter- matted and bony. While he is still thin, he is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and happy to be part of the hallway scene! 

Bella is the little Hallway Hooligan *queen* as of late. Bella was not thriving in her room, so we moved her into the hallway. She has the run of it, she's much happier and her chosen throne is atop the dryer.

We must remember to buy her a tiny tierra at Christmas.

Check out Bartley. Skinny and scrawny, but he struts around like King Tut. In a sense he IS King Tut here. He certainly has enough thrones to catnap on.

Marzipan is the Man. He's usually catnapping or strolling around looking for treats. Our volunteer Tracy begins her shift by carrying him up and down the hall like a baby. This works well for Marzi.

Duffy is a bit of a Spiderman kitty. He seems to fly from any and all high perches. While Cactus enjoys burying himself in the towels on the lower shelves.

Bourdain is another boy that came to Katie's October of 2021 at only 2 years old. Sadly, Bourdain had been declawed. Bourdain has been with us for four years.  We really do hope one day Bourdain will find a forever home, as he does gnaw his fur sometimes.  It really would be nice to see him find a loving home especially because he's still young and has spent 3/4 of his life living at the shelter.

We can always hold out some hope...and we DO see miracles happen at Katie's Place.

You give them the love and the home and we will take care of the rest, covering their food and medical costs for the rest of their lives. If you are interested in adopting a special needs Kitty, connect with one of our volunteers during an open house for a meet and greet or to learn more.  

Have you ever witnessed the heartwarming bond between two cats who truly love each other?

Meet McClure and Hopcott — a sweet, inseparable duo patiently waiting for their happily ever after. These bonded boys are looking for a calm, loving forever home where they can continue to share their quiet affection and playful adventures.

Both McClure and Hopcott were found as strays by kind-hearted people who reached out for help. Naturally cautious at first, they received gentle socialization in foster care before arriving at Katie’s Place. Though they came from different places, they quickly formed a deep and comforting connection with each other. Now, they’re rarely seen apart — where one goes, the other follows.

This special pair would thrive in a peaceful, child-free home with experienced cat guardians who understand the needs of shy cats. While they may take a little time to fully settle in, once they feel safe, their loving personalities shine through.

They’re laid-back, well-mannered, and get along well with other cats — in fact, they’d do wonderfully in a multi-cat household. McClure and Hopcott are both healthy, fully vaccinated, and have impeccable litter box habits.

More than anything, McClure and Hopcott are looking for a family to call their own — one where they can continue to share snuggles, companionship, and the simple joys of life together.

Meet the Boys

🐾 McClure
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Gender: Male
Age: 4–5 years
Color: Orange & White

Purr-sonality:
McClure is a quiet, gentle soul. He’s calm and observant, often following you around to see what you’re up to. Though initially shy, he warms up with time and enjoys soft pets — and might even reward you with the occasional kiss. He’s happiest curled up in a cozy spot, soaking in the comforts of home.

🐾 Hopcott
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Gender: Male
Age: 4–5 years
Color: Brown/Black

Purr-sonality:
Don’t let Hopcott’s signature side-eye fool you — behind that skeptical expression is a sweet and curious kitty. Once he feels safe, he loves gentle attention and isn’t shy about exploring. One of his favorite pastimes? Birdwatching from the catio, where he keeps a close eye on the outside world.

Come meet McClure & Hopcott at Katie's Place in Joey’s Porch at our open house!
📍 Saturdays & Sundays | 12:00–2:00 PM

Let’s give this precious pair the safe, loving home they so deserve. 

We never stop hoping… and we do believe in miracles at Katie’s Place – especially for long‑term residents like Bourdain. Could you be the angel to welcome him into your heart and home?

Bourdain’s Story
 

Bourdain arrived at Katie’s Place in October 2021—four years ago—after being declawed and abandoned. Declawing isn’t just painful; it removes the last bone of each toe and can cause lasting physical and emotional trauma. Thankfully, the practice is now illegal in B.C. due to the harm it inflicts.

We can only imagine how helpless and anxious he must have felt navigating life as a declawed cat—it’s truly indefensible.

A Gentle Soul Waiting for Someone
Now, Bourdain is a quiet sweetheart, usually curled up in the laundry room, quietly waiting for someone to see him. His health has been a challenge: chronic bouts of diarrhea persist despite trying numerous medications—understandable, given his traumatic past. We hope that in a loving, stable home with a gentle diet, especially a raw food plan that helps many cats with digestive issues , he might finally thrive.

He sometimes over-grooms his legs—perhaps from frustration, boredom, or sadness. We believe a patient, compassionate family could help him heal, body and soul.

Could You Write His Happy Ending?
Bourdain is still young and deserves a loving FURever home. He doesn’t seek attention—he waits quietly. At our open house, he might be easy to miss unless you seek him out. Just ask any staff member; they’ll happily introduce you to one of Katie’s Place’s sweetest hearts.

📅 Meet Bourdain
Visiting Hours: Saturday & Sunday • 12 noon–2 pm
Location: 10255 Jackson Road, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Will you be the one who sees the beauty in Bourdain and changes his life forever? 

If you’re thinking about adopting a kitten (or two), here’s the deal: kittens are way more fun when they have a buddy to cause mayhem with. Adopting kittens in pairs isn’t just cute—it’s a total game-changer for their well-being and yours! 

Here’s why:

1. Social Skills, Baby!: Kittens are like tiny, fluffy socialites. They learn all their manners—how to play, how to hiss politely, how to nap in the sun—by hanging out with each other. When you adopt two kittens, they’ll teach each other the finer points of being a cat (like how to give that perfect side-eye). Alone, they might miss out on these crucial life lessons!

2. No More Lonely Kittens: Ever left a kitten alone and heard the tiny cries of loneliness? It’s basically the saddest sound ever. But if you adopt two kittens, they’ve got each other to play tag with, wrestle, or even nap in a big fluffy pile. They’ll be so distracted by each other’s cuteness, they won’t even notice you leaving for work.

3. Easier Transition to Their New Home: Moving to a new house can be terrifying, especially if you’re a kitten. But if you adopt two, they’ll have each other to snuggle with and complain about the new place. It’s like having a built-in support group—no awkward “how do I make kitten friends?” moment. They’ll adjust way faster with a best bud by their side!

4. Nonstop Playtime: Kittens have the zoomies all the time. Imagine your kitten racing around like a fluffy tornado, only to realize there’s no one to chase. Sad! But with a second kitten? They’ll both go wild together, darting through tunnels, pouncing on anything that moves, and then collapsing in a sleepy heap. It’s like a never-ending kitten circus!

5. Mutual Support for Big Cat Adventures: As they grow up, your kittens will face the big scary world—the vet, loud noises, vacuum cleaners—and what better way to handle it than with your best pal by your side? Kittens in pairs will comfort each other and be totally chill when life throws them a curveball (or a rubber band).

So there you have it: adopting two kittens isn’t just adorable, it’s essential for their happiness! Plus, double the kitten = double the love (and double the mischief). Don’t just adopt one—get two and watch the fur fly!