Feline Friends: 'So many cats, so few homes'

Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz and friends

JOLT staff photo

This weekend Trish and Thom went to meet with the staff at Feline Friends and the first thing we noticed as we pulled off of Old Highway 101 at Steamboat Island into their parking lot is the sign that says it all: Feline Friends “Saving One Life At A Time”. 

We had called ahead to make an appointment as they have a policy so as not to have too many people in the shelter at any given time. This allows for more one on one interaction between the cats and their prospective new owners. 

Upon entering we were immediately struck by the wonderful environment, setting and vision that Jo MacGugan and her dedicated staff of volunteers had created. The first impression we had was that we were not so much in a shelter as we were in a home. An environment where these cats, who had come from different stories, could recover and realize that there were people in this world who still loved them. A place where sometimes immediately, sometimes slowly, their unique personalities could shine out and someone would recognize it and give them a forever home. 

Feline Friends started out with Jo caring for cats out of her own home back in 2000. When she finally ran out of room caring for her rescues her husband Dan started building Jo cat houses on their property to give them room for their growing rescues. At that time her husband Dan and Trish both worked for the telephone company and she remembers stopping by and seeing the beautifully built homes. They actually looked like little houses. Well, eventually, after Jo earned her certification and became a non-profit, she was able to secure a location next to the Steamboat Animal Hospital before moving to their current location at 7115 Old Hwy 101 NW in 2018. Their friendship and partnership with the animal hospital continues to this day. Currently they can handle up to 25 cats at one time – although they did have as many as 60 at once. The living quarters are divided into three rooms along with a kitchen that prepares meals twice a day along with regular changing of the water supply. Many of the cats are allowed to roam freely (not all at once of course). 

When earning her certification Jo showed her dedication by taking courses on how to run a non-profit successfully and it shows. Jo and her 100% all volunteer staff have been in existence for almost 24 years now. The work they do is all behind the scenes with not only the feeding and cleaning but some of the cats needing medicine as they get well from previous conditions.  

The most important gift that we observed Jo, and her volunteers give is to restore the trust and unconditional love that these beautiful animals are capable of. Watching the staff and how the cats interact with them is proof that what they are doing is working. The longest serving volunteer, Kathy, has been with Jo since 2005 while Jennifer, who helped us, has been there since 2006. No one, out of a staff of almost 50 volunteers, takes a salary. They all dedicate their time one or more days every week including holidays. Jo and a few others are there every day. The love and dedication they have for these cats is immeasurable and Jo describes them as priceless. 

Over the years, through experience, their blueprint or formula has changed slightly as they have cut back on accepting kittens along with the use of foster homes and now primarily concentrate on older cats and some with medical problems that are not readily adoptable. They treat them, get them healthy and well, and help them find a forever home. Kittens are adopted fairly soon so that is why they have decided to concentrate their resources on older cats.  

Jo and Jennifer, speaking for the rest of the staff, said it is the greatest feeling when one of their cats go to a good home and when it was brought up that when sometimes two cats were brought in together or that two have bonded during their stay then what was the emotion when they were adopted together? The smile that instantly came across both of their faces said everything. It was “magical” was Jo’s response. When asked how many cats they have saved, cared for, and found forever homes for, Jo said that even though it would be over a thousand their main priority is the cats and not how many in numbers. 

Thinking of adopting a cat?  

First you will have to go online to their website (see below) where you can find out everything about this wonderful organization and read the profiles and see the photos of some the cats there. Still interested? Next you will fill out their Feline Friends Adoption Survey. Please keep in mind that Feline Friends believes that cats can be happy as indoor only companions. You can then make an appointment via email or phone to come out and meet the cats themselves. You will also be directed what to bring should you decide what to adopt. There is a small adoption fee which covers all of the medical expenses such as current shots, microchipping, spay or neutering along with other medical needs the cat may have required. Feline Friends also requires a contract be signed that basically promises that you will take care of and be a responsible owner. 

Three years ago, Thom was looking for a new cat and he remembered hearing of Feline Friends from a coworker who donated her time there. Once we found that Trish already knew Jo, Thom filled out the survey and made the appointment with Trish tagging along. It was overwhelming for Thom as there were so many cats but the one that stood out was a 1yr old Maine Coon named Christopher Robin. When he was let out of his enclosure he promptly walked over, hopped onto Thom’s lap and said, “I choose you to take me home.” He has been with Thom ever since and is the one in our picture. 

How can you donate?  

Feline Friends is supported by generous people like you who care about cats. As an IRS 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donations are deductible up to the limits allowed by law. You can go to their website (see below) to find out how to donate food, toys, money or even designate if you would like to donate for a specific item such as pay for a spay/neuter procedure.  

100 percent of all donations go the care of the cats! All of the dedicated staff work on a volunteer basis. 

When going to their website we highly recommend clicking on the tab “saving lives”. There will you see a photo album of all the cats who have been saved. It is a real treat. 

You can contact Feline Friends one of three ways. 

Online at this website. 

By mail, or by phone: 

Feline Friends 

2202 Cumberland Ave SW 
Olympia, WA 98512 
Phone: 360-866-0599 (Olympia area) 

 Cat House and Adoption Center 

7115 Old Hwy 101 NW 
Olympia, WA 98501 
Phone: 360-866-9300 

Trish and Thom would like to thank Jo MacGugan, Jennifer, Lori and the entire staff at Feline Friends for making time for us to visit. 

Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish and Thom are residents of Tumwater. Contact them at  pets@theJOLTnews.com.