Dear Editor,

I have had another experience of the Blanco County Cat Coalition’s help, along with the help of the Kendalia Wildlife Center, in a situation that my family was familiar with. I saw an aspect of the work of both organizations that I want to recognize more fully. Their interventions often help people as much as they help animals, not only by improving their quality of life, but also by helping to resolve crises. My heart was full to see how much our local grass roots organizations can do as a matter of course. I am sharing what little I can of the details, and describing the situation in general, with some alterations to protect confidentiality, so that others can see what I saw.

Sometimes the Cat Coalition and Kendalia Wildlife Center deal with serious human dilemmas that anyone could experience, but which are not always known or recognized. People can be isolated in these hill, so that the extent of their difficulties may not be visible. A family we knew was distraught over circumstances beyond their control. Nevertheless, they were able to focus on placement of their cats as one thing that could be done. The importance of placing the cats escalated as circumstances became more urgent. The Cat Coalition happened to have their monthly meeting soon after learning of this family’s situation, they were able to act immediately to come up various ideas and plans to suggest to the family. Volunteers from the Cat Coalition and from the Kendalia Wildlife Center made home visits to offer suggestions, help and encouragement, and the family worked with them. Together, they found creative solutions for placement of the cats, and shortly after solving this problem this family found greater resolution with other issues. They are no longer in such crisis and they are living in better circumstances.

What I observed and experienced in this situation is that the Blanco County Cat Coalition and the Kendalia Wildlife Center are groups of strong, compassionate, and intelligent individuals who are not afraid to get involved with people, as well as cats, in desperate situations. Helping a family to save their cats lives may sometimes help to salvage a larger situation that is spiraling downward. Our animals help to sustain us, sometimes more than we know.

The Cat Coalition and the Kendalia Wildlife Center collaborate with us to protect animals. This situation showed me how much their efforts can support our lives as well. I commend both organizations for their good work and encourage our community to continue to support them financially and by volunteering. The Blanco County Cat Coalition meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm at the Blanco Library. Representatives of the Kendalia Wildlife Center are also in attendance. Come join us is you can.

Miranda Roberts,

Blanco, TX