09/06/2026
Well this sucks and I really like this person and now I feel I have to explain myself. (Pls do not attack this person in the comments).
I made this post three days ago, expecting to catch mama cat the day I went out. This would mean I'd need immediate supplies (but please note I did not state it was an emergency). I didn't see her that day. I spent 8 hours outside in the heat, with no cat sightings and only a sunburn to walk away with.
This isn't my day job. It doesn't pay anything. I haven't filed my non-profit paperwork because my donations are rare, and I tell people when they ask if they can donate, that I'm not a legal non-profit and often suggest they donate to PALS Animal Life Savers instead. Folks often purchase from my wishlist, which makes fostering SO MUCH EASIER for me. PALS isn't in the financial position to provide foster food/litter either. In monetary donations, I receive less than $500/year.
I don't do adoptions - PALS does. So no money is made there, and I'm glad for this partnership. I have a Patreon blog that helps supplement cat food, but to be honest, I haven't updated it in two months. This makes me about $90/month, which covers about half of the cat food and litter I go through.
Why have I been so quiet there? Because I've been working hard on a) behavioral rehabbing SEVENTEEN CATS in all of my time off and b) secretly working on opening a cat shelter. These two things have taken all of my time and spoons behind the scenes.
On top of regular fostering, trapping attempts, volunteering at PALS 1-2x/week. I have three day jobs, none of which make me a lot of money, but I choose this life and schedule because it leaves me time for rescue. I tattoo a couple of days a week, which wrecks my body (chronic illness). I run a pop up market in Salem, I occasionally read tarot, and I am an artist that vends my work at other pop up markets.
I don't ever want to feel like I'm doing something sketchy or wrong. I don't want to mislead anyone.
Anyway. I had the trap set for mama cat all weekend, with the owners watching it. Today, I had morning therapy, went to the PALS adoption center for William, and then went straight back to try and trap mama cat. Today I could only be there for a few hours. Tomorrow morning I'll be over there again at 5am.
I don't know. This whole situation is upsetting.
