Celebrating Phoebe

Donations up to $10,000 will be matched!

Jen and Ken rescued Phoebe 16 years ago from a cat hoarding situation at a New York shelter, where she was shy, matted, and tucked away in a corner. Despite her difficult start, including having a litter at just a year old and not knowing how to run, they immediately knew she was their cat. With patience and love, Phoebe blossomed, overcoming her fears and embracing life with boundless energy. Her sassy spirit quickly emerged, and she became determined to be outside all the time, often meowing loudly and having mini meltdowns until she could (safely) enjoy the outdoors. Even during her battle with cancer, her zest for life and love never wavered, touching the hearts of everyone who met her.

Wild Hearts Founder, Erin, had the ultimate privilege of caring for Phoebe and her cat sister, Chloe since 2020. Following Phoebe's small cell intestinal lymphoma diagnosis Erin administered medications and provided care during Jen and Ken's trips out of town. Phoebe expressed her gratitude with gentle headbutts, a sweet gesture that reflected the connection and Phoebe instilled with those she loved. Even through her illness (which she beat!), Phoebe’s tenacious spirit, playful attitude, and love for the outdoors shone through, highlighting her vibrant personality. Over time, Erin felt less like a caregiver and more like a part of Phoebe’s family embracing the name Auntie Erin. 

In Phoebe's memory, Jen, Ken, Chloe and many of Phoebe's extended family want to honor Phoebe's resilient spirit by passing on the love she gave them. To help other animals in need, they are matching $10,000 in donations, ensuring that Phoebe’s legacy lives on by providing support for other pets in need and celebrating our 10 year anniversary.

Your donations support pets like Carmy and Sazz!

Carmy

Sazz

  • A few weeks ago our world became a lot less bright as we said goodbye to our sweet sweet girl, Phoebe.

    Nearly 16 years as a part of our family, since the day we rescued her from a cat hoarding situation. She was tiny, matted fur, so scared, maybe a year old and had already had a litter. What we wouldn’t give for all the Phoebe babies.

    We soon discovered that she could hardly walk, let alone run. She’d never had any room to be a cat. We still remember the first day we took her outside to explore and walk and finally run in the grass. From that day forward we were so lucky to be on the receiving end of her joy, love, sweetness, funny little waddle, hilarious pigeon like meow, and even her temper tantrums when she couldn’t go outside (always supervised) during winter.

    She slept on me almost every night and without fail I’d get kitty kisses way before sunrise and know it was time to get up! There wasn’t a lap she didn’t claim - even our friends and family who weren’t cat people (I say we are ALL animal people) fell in love with the Phoebes. We’d pick up her collar with her bell and she’d run to the door for outside time. She just loved everything!

    After a tough few years battling and ultimately beating cancer, she convinced us that she had 90 lives, not 9. 4 years on and she was doing so well. We made her food, gave her Chinese herbs, natural supplements and watched her run and play inside and outside with her sister, Chloe.

    At 17 years young, she spent her final days at home with us, in the warm mountain sunbeams, laying in the green grass, still keeping an eye on and nose to the sounds and scents of the birds and chipmunks around us.

    We miss taking care of her and we miss her taking care of us with her endless joy and morning licks and loving headbutts. Her sister misses her too.

    We love and miss you Phoebe.