Cat Rescuer Plans Retirement, Seeks Good Homes for Kitties

For years, Shirley Fonda has been waging a one-woman-war on behalf of homeless cats.

Her rescue operation – Fonda’s Foundlings, operated out of her own home – has saved over 1,600 cats, most of whom have gone on to secure and loving homes.

She’s saved kittens\’ lives, turned distrustful cats into loyal companions, and helped bring joy to cat lovers all over the Centre Region.

But now, after 15 years of fighting the good fight, it’s time for Fonda to retire.

“It’s a lot of work, and frankly, I’m eighty years old,” Fonda says, noting the long hours and stress for her and her husband that comes with the rescue operation. “I need to be able to get our lives in order while we still have time together.”

To illustrate her point, the eighty-year-old points out that the last time she took a vacation, it took eleven people to properly feed and care for her foundlings – a job she typically does almost single-handedly with limited assistance from her part-time volunteers.

But in order to retire, Fonda needs to find good homes for the roughly 50 cats that are still in need of a forever family. And as much as it breaks her heart, she can no longer take in additional cats that people may want to bring to her.

Grover is one of about 50 cats that still needs to find his forever home. Photo by Michael Martin Garrett/StateCollege.com

Fonda says she\’s been trying to retire for about four years, but has had difficulty finding homes for the cats still under her care. Although local media outlets have tried to publicize her attempts to get out of the rescue business in the past, Fonda says these stories backfired. Instead of being inspired to adopt cats, people brought her more foundlings – which is why she sadly says she simply can\’t take any new animals.

The former wildlife rehabilitator (who says she’s historically more of a dog person, ironically) initially got into the cat rescue business because she saw a great need. All  over the Centre Region, there were “colonies of cats” hidden under porches, in abandoned buildings, being fed antifreeze and other poisons – and no one was doing anything about it.

“There were so many desperate situations that arose with kittens and cats that if I didn’t do it, then they would die,” Fonda says. “But there are more rescuers now, at least two to three others in the area that are taking them in and working on trying to find them homes.”

Other animal rescue and adoption organization near State College include Happy Valley Animals in Need, Pets Come First, Mom’s Pets and Centre County PAWS.

Fonda’s Foundling’s has everything from tiny kittens to full-grown fluffballs available for adoption. However, if you might be interested in adopting a rescue cat, Fonda cautions that you shouldn’t expect a lap cat as soon as you bring your new pet home. It might take years of love and attention to build a relationship with a cat who has been abandoned or mistreated – but once they trust you, you’ll never find a more loyal companion.

If you’re interested in adopting a cat, or if you’re interested in volunteering with Fonda’s Foundlings until her retirement, check out her Facebook page or call (814) 238-4758.

Editor\’s note: This story has been updated to include information about Fonda\’s previous attempts to retire and the difficulties she faced.