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Touched by an Animal & Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too
Our Mission & Ministry
Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too
Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too Incorporated in Illinois in 1989, Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too began as a safe haven in the home of Sister Marijon Binder for cats that elderly neighbors could no longer keep because of changing life situations. As word spread, "neighbors" from all over Chicago and the Northern/Northwest suburbs began to call begging for board for their beloved companion cats during a short term hospital or nursing home stay, and/or to keep them if/when the person died. At the same time it seems that little catnip calling cards in secret felines language were being passed around in alleys and dumping grounds where cats and kittens were in desperately unsafe situations. "We" (numbering no more than two or three soft-hearted, dedicated volunteers) responded to as many nowhere-else-to-turn elderly callers and endangered felines as we could.
2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marijon Binder
Sue Buzzo
Tom Janik, D.V.M.
Richard Redig
Jennifer Sexton
Dawn Walczak
Jan Zunica
Marijon Binder
Sue Buzzo
Tom Janik, D.V.M.
Richard Redig
Jennifer Sexton
Dawn Walczak
Jan Zunica
Touched by an Animal
Volunteers help the elderly/disabled care for their companion animals (cats, dogs, birds, fish) in their homes in whatever way is needed so that they can continue living together. This can mean a daily visit to walk a dog, or weekly to change a cat's litter box. We also provide pet food, veterinary care, and home visits or boarding for the pet while the person is in a hospital or rehabilitation facility. When permitted, we will bring the animal to visit or let them "talk" on the telephone (which both person and cat frequently do).
Sometimes we are asked to bring a cat to a lonely, elderly person whose own cat may have died or who simply needs a "live-in companion." If the match is a good one, we leave the cat with the person for as long as desired, but we retain responsibility of ownership and provide food, vet card, occasional visits, and assurance that we will take the cat back when needed.
Usually such assistance to elderly and/or disabled persons begins with a telephone call from a hospital social worker, medical care provider, agency for the aged, or family member/friend who know of our services. Our relationship with the person and companion animals usually lasts for years, until the person passes. Their passing is with greater peace knowing that beloved feline companions can live their lives with us (dogs and birds are placed in no-kill shelters or individual homes). During the time shared between a volunteer and their charges interaction extends beyond animal care in ways that enrich the lives of all involved. Truly, we have all been touched by an animal quietly sitting on a windowsill or wagging its tail at the door, or chirping a happy song. Each touch on the surface of ordinary lives sets off unending ripples of unimagined blessings.
Sometimes we are asked to bring a cat to a lonely, elderly person whose own cat may have died or who simply needs a "live-in companion." If the match is a good one, we leave the cat with the person for as long as desired, but we retain responsibility of ownership and provide food, vet card, occasional visits, and assurance that we will take the cat back when needed.
Usually such assistance to elderly and/or disabled persons begins with a telephone call from a hospital social worker, medical care provider, agency for the aged, or family member/friend who know of our services. Our relationship with the person and companion animals usually lasts for years, until the person passes. Their passing is with greater peace knowing that beloved feline companions can live their lives with us (dogs and birds are placed in no-kill shelters or individual homes). During the time shared between a volunteer and their charges interaction extends beyond animal care in ways that enrich the lives of all involved. Truly, we have all been touched by an animal quietly sitting on a windowsill or wagging its tail at the door, or chirping a happy song. Each touch on the surface of ordinary lives sets off unending ripples of unimagined blessings.
Our History
Marijon & Kitties - The Early Days
Sister Marijon Binder arrived in Chicago from her California convent in 1976. Her mission at the time was to write children's books. Over the coming years her mission changed as she became the founder of Touched by an Animal and Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too. These organizations are unique. They help the elderly keep their companion animals as long as possible and take in cats that need long or short term homes when their people are hospitalized or enter nursing homes.
The following excerpt from Jenny Wohlfarth's article "Tossed and Found" in the December 1996/January 1997 edition of Pet Life tells some of this story:
"All my elderly neighbors had pets," explains Sister Marijon, "and one of their biggest problems was that they couldn't downsize, move into a nursing home or retirement community or visit family in other cities because they couldn't stand to leave their animals. Their animals were their family."
Sister Marion began helping her neighbors in their quest to save the scores of homeless cats in the community . . .
One by one the little creatures trickled into the nun's home. Then she organized her elderly friends into a brigade of tabby caretakers.
"We go into the homes of the elderly to walk their dogs, clean their cats' litter boxes or change a bird cage, and we become a crucial part of their social networks," says Sister Marijon. "These animals are like a lifeline for these people."
Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too, which Sister Marijon says is literally funded with pennies from heaven, also recruits widows and widowers as foster parents for cats that need special attention.
The street the Sister has chosen to travel has not been without its shards of glass, its potholes and detours. When Sister Marijon was just getting Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too on its feet, she was called back to her convent in California.
"I wanted to go back, and tried for a year to make arrangements, so that I could. but too many elderly people were relying on me," explains Sister Marijon, who eventually became disconnected from her longtime religious community. "I simply felt in my heart that God wanted me to continue taking care of these people and animals. I could not believe that He would want me to abandon them all again."
The following excerpt from Jenny Wohlfarth's article "Tossed and Found" in the December 1996/January 1997 edition of Pet Life tells some of this story:
"All my elderly neighbors had pets," explains Sister Marijon, "and one of their biggest problems was that they couldn't downsize, move into a nursing home or retirement community or visit family in other cities because they couldn't stand to leave their animals. Their animals were their family."
Sister Marion began helping her neighbors in their quest to save the scores of homeless cats in the community . . .
One by one the little creatures trickled into the nun's home. Then she organized her elderly friends into a brigade of tabby caretakers.
"We go into the homes of the elderly to walk their dogs, clean their cats' litter boxes or change a bird cage, and we become a crucial part of their social networks," says Sister Marijon. "These animals are like a lifeline for these people."
Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too, which Sister Marijon says is literally funded with pennies from heaven, also recruits widows and widowers as foster parents for cats that need special attention.
The street the Sister has chosen to travel has not been without its shards of glass, its potholes and detours. When Sister Marijon was just getting Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too on its feet, she was called back to her convent in California.
"I wanted to go back, and tried for a year to make arrangements, so that I could. but too many elderly people were relying on me," explains Sister Marijon, who eventually became disconnected from her longtime religious community. "I simply felt in my heart that God wanted me to continue taking care of these people and animals. I could not believe that He would want me to abandon them all again."
Other Stories
My family and I have always cared for animals of all kinds. One of the mementos Marijon pulled out of a treasure box of mine is a 1952 Letter of Commendation from the Illinois Humane Society recognizing my many rescues of stray dogs while I as a school crossing guard. Over the years, I supported and volunteered in various ways for most of the Chicagoland animal shelters.
Marijon's unique mission with Touched By An Animal touched a heartstring of mine. From 1988-1992, I made almost daily visits with her to homes of the elderly, disabled or otherwise needy seniors to help take care of their companion animals. In some cases, these pets were the only loving family members left, and I could tell you many touching stories from encounters!
Then, on December 26, 1992, Marijon brought some Christmas treats for my cats and me, and found that I was suffering from a series of small strokes. She took me to the hospital ER, and for the next year oversaw my care in rehab and nursing homes, and that of my feline family, still at my house, as well as other people and animals served by her organization. Finally, she asked me and my cats to come live with her at the home of Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too.
What a whole new life and purpose this brings to my octogenarian years! Now I want to get up early each morning so I don't miss anything! (And believe me, by 8AM, the day's plans have already changed according to telephone requests, or a sick cat, or who knows what!) I enjoy having breakfast with Kolby and whatever volunteers might be here so I can learn what part I can play in the day's plans. Sometimes I ride along to someone's house to help with their animals, and sometimes Suzie and I "hold down the fort" at home. Whichever it is, I feel needed and wanted and useful because Marijon and Suzie and the cats always have something special for me to do that they say cannot be done as well by anyone else! Like folding clothes, and especially towels and cat bedding! Boy, do the cats keep the laundry busy! Or stuffing envelopes for mailing, or sorting items for a fundraiser. And always, I am the first person visitors see in the living room, so I am the official Greeter and announcer of guests!
Marijon's unique mission with Touched By An Animal touched a heartstring of mine. From 1988-1992, I made almost daily visits with her to homes of the elderly, disabled or otherwise needy seniors to help take care of their companion animals. In some cases, these pets were the only loving family members left, and I could tell you many touching stories from encounters!
Then, on December 26, 1992, Marijon brought some Christmas treats for my cats and me, and found that I was suffering from a series of small strokes. She took me to the hospital ER, and for the next year oversaw my care in rehab and nursing homes, and that of my feline family, still at my house, as well as other people and animals served by her organization. Finally, she asked me and my cats to come live with her at the home of Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too.
What a whole new life and purpose this brings to my octogenarian years! Now I want to get up early each morning so I don't miss anything! (And believe me, by 8AM, the day's plans have already changed according to telephone requests, or a sick cat, or who knows what!) I enjoy having breakfast with Kolby and whatever volunteers might be here so I can learn what part I can play in the day's plans. Sometimes I ride along to someone's house to help with their animals, and sometimes Suzie and I "hold down the fort" at home. Whichever it is, I feel needed and wanted and useful because Marijon and Suzie and the cats always have something special for me to do that they say cannot be done as well by anyone else! Like folding clothes, and especially towels and cat bedding! Boy, do the cats keep the laundry busy! Or stuffing envelopes for mailing, or sorting items for a fundraiser. And always, I am the first person visitors see in the living room, so I am the official Greeter and announcer of guests!
My favorite role, though, is being #1 Lap and Confidant to the kitties in our house. Since I am in a wheelchair, my lap is always available, not like other folks who are usually standing and walking around with mops and rags and generally disturbing the cats' nap! Sometimes I hold and comfort a shy cat, or a newcomer, or one with a cast on its leg, or an old arthritic on - like my Jenny. She sits at the front of my wheelchair until I pick her up because she can't jump up any more. She is lovable and huggable! She makes me feel wonderful, and she communicates to me a lot, too! Jenny has been with me for so long that neither of us remembers when or ow we met! We have grown older together and we are a consolation to each other. She misses me whenever I'm in the hospital, so I think about her and try to get home faster. She doesn't want to share me with anyone else, and growls when another cat jumps on my lap when she's there.Of course, when we have kittens in the house, they are a full time job! They love to play with all parts of my wheelchair and use my leg and lap to play climbing and jumping games. The also wait eagerly for me to throw balls or fish or lost mice out of crevices or rearrange their maze of toys on the floor so I can move by chair about. sometimes two or three of them fall asleep in a little bundle on my lap and I know they are dreaming of being secure with their own cat mother again.
I must tell you about Chessie, my beautiful Maine Coon whom everyone who comes here wants to adopt. However, he is MY boy, because my own son, Richard, found him outside a community center, and called to ask me if he could bring the cat home. That was about a year before Richard died, so Chessie reminds me of my son and of his gentle concern for animals. Chessie is a wonderfully patient and gently cat that several shy cats in our house regard as their best friend, especially Dirk, Foxy, Buddy and Patrice. Chessie sees to give them the courage to approach humans when he is alongside them. That's what friend do for each other - and that's what my wonderful friends - human and feline - do for me: give me the courage to overcome cancer, strokes, heart ailments, broken bones and constant health setbacks - because I know that my life is still important to others!
email | 773.728.6336 | PO Box 59067 | Chicago, IL 60659
All rights reserved © 2010 {Touched By An Animal & Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too} | site donated by 9 Lives Photography
All rights reserved © 2010 {Touched By An Animal & Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too} | site donated by 9 Lives Photography