House Meow

501(c)(3) foster-based rescue providing safe harbor for cats exhibiting the desire & capacity to be socialized.

House Meow is a Certified Fear Free facility, 501c3/ Not-for-Profit, Foster-Based organization in Marion County, FL. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable felines and end unnecessary suffering through compassion, education, and action in our community. We are dedicated to improving the welfare of kittens, community/stray cats, and feral felines. Our commitment encompasses three core pi

08/30/2024

Psptpsptpst here kitty kitty! ❤️

08/30/2024

Excellent article with important information around vaccination. 💉🐈‍⬛🐈

08/29/2024

Today we received a blessing box on the porch from Amazon! There was no gift receipt so we don’t know who to thank, please message so we know who are angel is!!

We are so grateful for these treasures that arrive. We absolutely rely on generous donors just like this to keep us operating at maximum potential. When we receive donations of food, litter, otc meds, and enrichment items it ensures we are able to apply our financial resources to routine medical care and emergency vet visits for our furry friends.

Thank you to our incredible tribe. It’s been a tough few days with the loss of our Peepers, but we’ve received an outpouring of love and compassion. THANK YOU 🙏

08/27/2024

🖋️ By: Bronson Mosley, in honor of our girl Peepers, forever in our hearts.

Cats in most part are a mystery, often leaving many unanswered questions about their health and character. At times they may defy medical logic, switch personalities, and even appear out of thin air after you’ve overturned every stone searching for them. Yes, these feline phenomenons are far from predictable, yet we can draw conclusions about ourselves from what they teach us.

Such is the case of Peepers, the blind dwarf. She was an orange tabby striped with a white belly. Her coat was usually rugged and disheveled; akin to the cliche outcome of an individual who got dressed in the dark. When we first were introduced to her, she was living in the Wild West of a Silver Springs backyard porch. She appeared to be about four months old, and an unchecked eye infection had developed into a much more serious condition. We took her into our care right away.

As fosters, our goal is to create a safe and loving environment for our cats where socializing can be successful. At first, Peepers was timid and cautious. Living in an unsafe environment without the ability to see would cause any being to be skeptical. Though she lacked her eyesight, there was also the enigmatic nature of cats that presented the challenge of making her feel safe. She would move about the room with a sense of trepidation, using her acute hearings to map the area. She scurried from place to place, never hiding but always with an air or urgency. While her ailments would always require she stayed alert there did come a day when she finally chose to connect with us.

I will never forget the day Peepers jumped onto my lap. Rachel and I were winding down for the day in the living room where our herd often joined us in the evenings. My attention was swiftly taken away from the television and directed towards the sharp claws sank so desperately into my pant leg. Up over my knee came Peepers, clinging to dear life with every climbing claw stroke. Once she made it to the plateau of my lap, she simply laid down in the signature loaf known only to cats. To say we both were thrilled to witness this would be an understatement, and this moment had even a deeper meaning for me.

There was a time in my life when I, like Peepers, was weary of the world. I had lost my faith in people and their facilities. I was unsure of the intentions of my peers, and it was impossible to trust anything beyond moment to moment. When I looked down to see her on my knee that day, I saw my own journey playing out again. It reminded me of the importance of believing in each others and the good we can all be. It repainted the picture of healing that occurred when accepting love into one’s heart. And, for the first time in my walk as a Caregiver, it was when a wayward, shaken animal chose me to be its source of safety.

Like any optimistic onlooker of a cat cuddling up in one’s personal space, I took the moment to give her the softest of rubs. Surprisingly, she didn’t bolt. Quite the opposite. I drew my hand away from her, and within moments the silence was broken by a tiny chirp. She moved her head back and forth to the sound of our voices, chirping as if to say “where did you go?”. Delight. Confirmation. She was letting us know that she wanted us in her life, and we answered that call.

Sheltering Hands took Peepers into their system, making sure she would receive all the medical care required. As one of their active fosters, we knew early on that Peepers would be joining our house as a resident cat. She was comfortable here. She began to navigate our space with natural instinct, and anytime we were winding down on the couch at night, she would find her way there. Life went on like this for some time, our bond with Peepers remaining the same. But, that’s not all that was lacking change. In the years time we had Peepers, she never grew in stature. She was an apparently healthy cat with the unfortunate circumstances of strange genetics. Like many of the mysteries attached to felines, the cause of her dwarfism would be hard to determine and the consequences even harder to predict.

Sadly, there came a day when we would hear Peepers chirp for the last time. She fell fast to an unexpected illness, leaving her fading soul in our arms as we sat at the emergency clinic. It was a painful passing that showed no signs of its coming. Sitting there moments before she crossed the rainbow bridge, the memories we shared echoed loudly through my thoughts. And, in the turmoil of it all, Peepers taught me one final lesson.

All that we can do is give these animals our love. To the best of our ability, we can provide them with food, shelter, and kindness. We can remain watchful over their wellbeing, offering our collective medical knowledge to help peer into their often mysterious conditions. We can place them on the highest pedestals hoping one day they never fall. But, tomorrow is so uncertain. More so for feline kind than even our own lot. Where would Peepers have ended up had we not crossed paths? What chance of surviving - not thriving, just making it out alive- did any cat have without the help of its caregivers? Would they have ever felt happiness, calmness, or peace? So, we have today to love them. To do our part, stay the path, and push through the heartaches that come from the unknown. We may never have all the answers to why they leave our world so abruptly, but we can be certain that we changed their lives for the better.

Photos from House Meow's post 08/26/2024

It’s with a painfully heavy heart that we say fly high 🌈 to our sweet Peepers. Her life was far too short and it’s just not fair. I honestly don’t have words at the moment to express our heartache or her absolute greatness.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy. We held her as she took last earthly breath, stroked her tiny frame softly, and whispered words of how deeply she is loved as her soul ascended to her next journey. 💔🦋

Please spay and neuter your pets 🙏

08/25/2024

Please send prayers and healing energy our way. We’re sitting at UF Pet Emergency Treatment Services with our blind girl Peepers. We came home from the new property today and she was not herself, Bronson picked her up and she was a limp noodle and started screaming a terrible almost painful scream, we tried to stand her up and she couldn’t stand, we new immediately this was an emergency.

Peepers had ZERO signs of ailments or discomfort up to this moment, she’s been eating, drinking, and behaving normally.

Peepers is such a sweet happy go lucky girl that had a rough unkind start in life. We rescued her a year ago, her eyes were ruptured, she was emaciated, and terrified, but she persevered and has thrived in our care. Although we suspect possible genetic abnormalities due to her tiny frame and stature, her last annual exam was an A+.

Please Please pray for her, I absolutely cannot lose her. 🙏🙏

08/25/2024

We are always running uphill, it seems. It's been a hectic pace but we keep pushing. We are in a bad spot, right now, because we are completely out of funds. We had a few donations come in this week and they were immediately committed to our vet bills (about $1000 committed to the vets).

We then took trash, supply drops, litter swap, TNR in Summerfield, bought cleaning supplies, renewed the van/trailer registrations and paid the Verizon bill.

We are broke, again. It is hand-to-mouth, right now, and that's hard. We are actually overdrawn and scrambling to rectify the insufficient funds before we incur fees at midnight. We also need gas so we are stuck if we don't get this figured out (we have spent our own reserves, as well, and have nothing to put in the tank).

Please consider a donation to help keep us rolling. We are still overdrawn by about -$161 and we need gas in our tank to finish our duties, tonight. We don't like being this transparent about our financial situation but we are dead in the water without your help. Things are pretty desperate, at the moment, and we need our village! There are many ways that you can help and we appreciate everyone for sending us good energy and love! If you can't spare donations, you can help by spreading the word! It takes a village and it's never a job that we accomplish alone. (*Photo we snapped this week of the brave man that mows the trash mountain at the county landfill)

PayPal.me/qualityofliferehab
Zelle: (352)843-6858
CashApp: $Qualityofliferehab
Venmo:
P.O. Box 142
Ocala, FL 34478

** Update: ya'll came through in a BIG way for us, last night and this morning! You brought us correct and gave us a cushion for the week! If this kind of support keeps rolling, we will be able to pay down the vet bills more, as well! We are ENORMOUSLY grateful to you ALL for keeping our heads above water! "Thank you " doesn't even BEGIN to express our gratitude! You are a part of everything we do and we love ya'll!

08/24/2024

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

We are excited for the future. 🐾

Thank you to everyone helping make our dream a reality ✰𓃠

🎥: Bronson Mosley

Photos from House Meow's post 08/23/2024

We had a special visitor tonight, Mary Beth Bell with Chuck's Piggy Bank, Inc.! We’re so grateful to this incredible organization for all they do for local rescues! We received a wonderful bounty of food and a new litter pan which all the kitties are taking turns napping in! 😸

Thank you to all the generous donors and volunteers that make this organization possible, we appreciate you all so much and kitties do too 🙏🐈‍⬛🐈

08/20/2024

Two of my favorites —books and cats 📚 🐈‍⬛

Gregore the Relentless, my relentlessly affectionate blue ❤️

08/19/2024

They’re back!!! Get those kitties in. 🙏

WE'RE BACK!

Beginning this week, we are resuming our Shelter, Neuter, Return services for Marion County residents. This program is only for community and feral cats, meaning those living outside, in your neighborhoods, and around local businesses. This program is not for owned house cats.

Cats should be brought in traps, cat transport cages, and cat carriers. Wire dog crates will NOT be a permitted way of transport and delivery. Remember that feral cats are difficult to handle, and our staff needs to be able to safely open the doors to retrieve them. Please take a moment to check your carriers and traps to see if they are securely put together, the door can open and close properly, and the cat can safely be in it for hours. Hose out the leaves, debris and organic matter before placing a cat inside.

SNR days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however, for this week and next, we will allow people to come in with community cats on Thursday as well. Same hours.

We look forward to seeing you soon. 🐈

📍5701 SE 66th Street, Ocala

Veterinary Excellence at Your Fingertips 08/18/2024

Excellent resource for rescues and fosters in the trenches.

Veterinary Excellence at Your Fingertips Visit the guidelines

08/18/2024

❤️❤️❤️

Photos from House Meow's post 08/17/2024

Just a few of our fabulous available kitties 🐾

❤️

08/15/2024

Chuck's Piggy Bank, Inc. Is an incredible asset in our rescue community. Thank you to all the supporters and volunteers that breathe life into Chuck’s legacy. We appreciate you so much 🙏

08/15/2024

Tonight’s Food drunk babies ❤️

08/11/2024

Just saying, it’s more accurate 😊

Photos from House Meow's post 08/09/2024

On this International Cat Day we welcome three new babies to House Meow!

Meet Sheldon, Amy Farrah Fowler, and Penny, our Big Bang babies!!

08/06/2024

Debbie Kirk THANK YOU for your donation of food and litter!! Your constant support of our organization means so much to us and the kitties 🥹

Thank you never feels like enough!!

Here are the kitties enjoying the bed we got when we saw you at the Sheltering Hands, Inc.thrift store!!!

Photos from House Meow's post 08/04/2024

Today we had another lovely visit with Mary Beth Bell and board member, Peggy, to drop off a special delivery from Chuck's Piggy Bank, Inc. mobile pantry ❤️

We’re so grateful for this wonderful organization and their generous donors that support local rescues in our area. We received essential items we use everyday to help the most vulnerable and in need.

Without community support we couldn’t help as many deserving kitties as we do.

Thank you from all of us at House Meow, we and kitties love you!!

08/03/2024

Wasabi (orange tabby) has the right idea on this rainy day!!

07/31/2024

Cost you nothing to help support the cause 🙏

07/27/2024

It’s been an exhausting and emotional week - started with a UF vet ER visit, 2 unplanned vet visits, 5 spay/neuters, antibiotics regimen, oxygen therapy, and a dental cleaning w/ 8 extractions, all on top of a 40 hr work week, but these nuggets sure now how to make a foster mom feel loved 🐾❤️ sleep is overrated 😆

Half dozen furballs for the win 🏆

We couldn’t do it without our beautiful community lifting us up. Thank You.

07/26/2024

Sounds about right!! 😆

😹😹😹

Photos from House Meow's post 07/25/2024

Thank you so much Heather Rudnianyn for your donation of food and litter! You’re such a light in our lives and a blessing to our rescue.

Kitties say Purr Purr Purr —-> that’s kitten speak for THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU 🐾

It’s wonderful loving folks just like you that keep us full of hope and gratitude 🙏

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Videos (show all)

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor RooseveltWe are excited for the future....
Fostering Saves Lives 🐾
When they feel warm, happy, and safe, there will be signs. Walking in the kitten room seeing this lil man passed out bel...
One kitten’s determination 🐾❤️ Watch till the end!#𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎𝙼𝚎𝚘𝚠 #2024Adventures #kittenshelterdiversion #shelteringhands #f...
This momma went in for TNR yesterday and had a litter right in the trap. Our community partners at Sheltering Hands, Inc...
Biscuits on my bestie! Pippin & Phineas 🐾❤️
Buvies is settling in, eating, she’s a very hungry girl. Her demeanor has quickly changed from terrified to I think I’m ...
Gracie loves her new toy made by an awesome Sheltering Hands, Inc. Volunteer ❤️#housemeow #shelteringhands #rescuenetwor...
We got lots of bright eyes 👀 and little squeaks today! Peppermint’s babies are two weeks old! They are plump, healthy an...
Peppermint’s kittens! 1 week old, momma and kittens are all healthy and doing wonderful ☺️🙏🐾❤️#housemeow #shelteringhand...

Telephone

Address


Marion County
Ocala, FL
34470

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