PUPSUNITE.ORG | 6 PURCHASING THE BUILDING In 2022, Gina and I purchased a building that was previously an eye doctor’s office. The building is located just down the street from where we live, and we often rode our bikes past it. Gina had always hoped to buy the building and transform it into an art studio. After the purchase, Gina set up her studio, and together we each chose our own rooms in the new space. OUR CAT RESCUE EFFORTS For 25 years, I have worked as a letter carrier and regularly encounter stray cats. I make it a point to either feed these cats myself or provide food to those who care for them. When we moved to this neighborhood in 2019, I became a T-6, which means I cover five different mail routes when the regular carriers are off. This change led me to meet even more cats in need, especially on one route which I began referring to as my “cat route” because of the high number of strays I encountered. I discovered the Springfield Lost and Found Pet page and started posting photos of the cats I saw to connect them with people who could help. Through this group, I met Tanya Stewart, who came to my cat route and picked up a tiny kitten from me. Our friendship grew as I visited her home and dropped off food and litter to support her efforts with rescue cats. FOSTERING AND EXPANDING THE CAT HOUSE In 2023, we fostered our first mother cat, whom we named Banshy since it was around March. Banshy had six kittens, and we helped care for them until they were all adopted. We decided to keep two kittens from this litter. The following year, in 2024, Tanya and Dottie began visiting our shop, bringing cages and helping us officially start our cat house. Dottie and Tanya assisted with vaccinations and keeping records. Now, we have four cages in the reception area for cats and three cages in a quarantine room. OUR JOURNEY Building an Art Studio and Cat Rescue
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzA5OTEy