Sara Goff a.k.a. "The Cat Lady"

The Cat Story
By Sara Goff
2111 Jefferson

About 6 years ago Sam and I found 5 kittens in the backyard. They were wandering around, crying, their mother nowhere in sight. We wondered what had happened to her but felt pretty certain it was tragic. We made the kittens a home on our front porch and fed them by bottle with goats milk until they were old enough to eat cat food. Sam’s mom lived with us then, and we all took part in the feeding. We had to¼.they were such ferocious eaters they wouldn’t take turns! Sam and Lettie (his mom) were not really cat people but the kittens were so adorable they won all of our hearts. Of course I was hooked as soon as I saw them! It would become very difficult to give them away when the time came.

In the meantime, as they were growing older, a man across the street from us who had several cats moved away. And he left all the cats. When we started feeding the kittens regular cat food, on our porch, word spread through the neighborhood that there was free food at the Goff’s house!! We didn’t have the heart to run them off; some of them were soooo skinny.

We contacted some local organizations hoping for help. I couldn’t bear to send them to the animal shelter, knowing what their fate would be. We did get help through one organization but it was still quite costly to have each of them spayed or neutered, along with all their shots¼.not to mention what we were spending in cat food, flea spray, medications and some emergency vet visits. So it was a slow process. They kept having kittens before we could have them all “fixed”. And before we knew it we were feeding over 20 cats!!! I thought Sam might divorce me! I had become the crazy cat lady down the street!!

We still have one of the original five that we found and some of the other kittens have been adopted. We took in one kitten that had been obviously abandoned and a few others have “shown up” on our door step. But thanks to the feral cat program we recently discovered at the Memphis Animal Shelter, which is supported by the Animal Protection Assn., we now have all the cats spayed and neutered except for a few un-tamed ones.

We’ve named all the “regulars” and most of them are comfortable with our touch. Several will even let me hold and cuddle them, which I love to do but shouldn’t, since I’m allergic to cats. I grew up with cats as pets and later had 2 beautiful Siamese (mixed) cats for several years. After that, it was confirmed that I was allergic to cats (among other things!) and I didn’t have any for quite a while. I missed their companionship and playful nature. Then we found the kittens! I decided I’d just have to deal with the itchy nose and eyes, and sneezes. But I never banked on having 20!!

We could use recommendations of any vets who may offer community service discounts‑ say on annual shots, medications, etc. If anyone could get a discount or get the following donated that would be great: feline shots (which I can administer), flea treatments (Advantage or Frontline work best & are easiest to apply), ear mite medicine, and dry food.