Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary has spent the last four decades saving the lives of and providing a shelter for numerous felines and is hosting an event April 9 in Chester Township to celebrate.
Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary has spent the last four decades saving the lives of and providing a shelter for numerous felines and is hosting an event April 9 in Chester Township to celebrate.
The nonprofit organization was formed by Jeanne Bones, who many volunteers call “an incredible, cat-loving lady.”
Bones opened Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary in 1982 after she noticed many stray cats around her area in need.
Current sanctuary president, Tom Vasko, said Bones wanted to help these struggling cats in need and decided her home would be the perfect place to open a shelter.
“What began as just a dream became a wonderful reality as she began to rescue strays,” Vasko said in a recent interview.
The organization takes in elderly and “special needs” cats, some of whom are adoptable and others who will live out their lives at the sanctuary, he said.
Soon after opening, the shelter experienced an influx of people bringing cats to Bones, or just leaving them on her property, so she decided to build “cat-friendly” buildings on the several acres of land on her property.
Vasko said Bones had worked tirelessly in her endeavors to support the cats and as a result, word got out about the organization and people started reaching out to volunteer.
“A cadre of volunteers formed to help Bones with the monumental task of running the sanctuary which is ‘no-kill’ and a nonprofit,” he said, adding it was officially designated a nonprofit in 2005 and held its first fundraiser in October of that same year.
As successful as it has been, the sanctuary has also experienced hardships.
In 2010, a fire, due to a faulty electrical connection, destroyed Bones’ home and because of smoke inhalation, three cats passed away.
Despite the devastation, Bones’ spirit was never broken, Vasko said.
“She built back better, Bones would not be defeated,” he said. “She continued to run Happy Tails and any money she received was put into sustaining the organization.”
Bones passed away on Thanksgiving Day in 2015, however, her legacy lived on through her determined volunteers and Vasko.
Doreen Lazarus, a volunteer at the organization, described the years following Bones’ passing.
“For the next few years, with the exception of only one day due to a fierce winter storm, at least one volunteer would come to the sanctuary every day to give fresh food and water to the cats, scoop litter boxes, sweep and vacuum the floors and give medicine if needed,” said Lazarus.
After Bones’ family sold her property that housed the organization, some of the cats were relocated to the Cats’ Inn Grooming and Boarding on Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, while the majority of the cats were placed into foster homes.
“Although we have been blessed with having foster homes, we always would like to find even more of them,” said Lazarus. “Even though the sanctuary is well set up for the cats’ comfort, good foster parents can provide more personal attention in a home environment.”
The organization has held fundraisers at least once a year since 2005, however, the organization needs donations and new volunteers as inflation for cat supplies and care are rising, Lazarus said.
For more information about the Happy Tails 40th Anniversary event at Orchard Hills Party Center and how to get involved in the organization, call Lazarus at 440-759-0076 or email happytailscatsanctuary@gmail.com.
