MEOW Cat Rescue is a Northwest no-kill animal rescue organization that believes that all nine lives are precious - and they treat each one with loving care.
MEOW’s mission is to promote lifelong relationships between people and companion animals, providing shelter and care for each precious life until he or she is adopted into a forever home.
MEOW’s vision is to one day have a society that will be free from the dangers and nuisances of irresponsible pet ownership, when every pet born will be assured loving care all of its natural life and will never suffer due to abuse, neglect or ignorance.
Now celebrating its sixteenth year, MEOW first began in the early 1990s when a small group of animal-loving friends made a commitment to create a better life for homeless animals.
Fueled by determination, love, and an unwavering commitment for a no-kill organization, this group of friends created a non-profit organization. MEOW is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Since 1997, MEOW has been a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.
MEOW truly is making a difference in the Seattle area: This organization places approximately 1500 animals into permanent homes every year. Adoption fees range from $65 to $95 help defray the cost of care for the animals.
MEOW always happily accepts donations from interested individuals, organizations, and businesses to provide additional financial support. This support helps MEOW save cats like Lucy, Chuck, and Enzo.
Lucy came to MEOW after a series of unfortunate events: she was part of an “unexpected” litter and was brought to MEOW for rehoming. Lucy then had to leave her adoptive family when they adopted a dog and the two pets didn’t get along.
Lucy had to live in a bedroom because it was so tense between her and the new dog. Her family recognized that this wasn’t a good quality of life for Lucy and she was brought back to MEOW in August of 2010.
Shortly after she arrived, a pre-cancerous lump was discovered near the base of her tail. To keep her healthy, Lucy’s tail was removed. She’s very stylish now with her new Manx look.
Patient Lucy spent two years at MEOW waiting to find a new family. This easygoing, loving cat lived peacefully in the front room of MEOW with several other cats, but what she really wanted was to be part of a family once again. Thanks to MEOW, Lucy’s wish finally came true.
Before he came to MEOW, Chuck lived in constant pain. The muscular two-year-old Snowshoe Siamese mix couldn’t even open his eyes.
Chuck was one of three unaltered cats who had been living in a car with their homeless owner. The woman had tried to treat Chuck’s infected eyes by washing them with baby shampoo – but this didn’t help Chuck’s condition.
Chuck had lived his entire life with a condition called Entropian Eyelids, which means that his eyelids turn in toward his eyes. This painful condition caused his lashes to scratch the surface of his eyes with each blink and each movement of the eye under the swollen lid.
Chuck was examined at Northwest Animal Eye Specialists and then rushed into surgery. Both of his eyelids had to be rolled outward and tacked into place to prevent further damage and give his eyes a chance to heal.
Entropian surgery is neither easy nor inexpensive, but MEOW’s Mercy Fund enables MEOW to provide care – like expensive surgery – for animals like Chuck. The Mercy Fund can make the difference between pain or comfort – or even life and death.
After he healed, Chuck’s beautiful blue eyes finally opened and closed without pain. He gazed at everyone at MEOW with love and gratitude. And now that he’s been adopted, this stunning Siamese has even more to be grateful about.
Chuck only needed a chance – and MEOW was happy to give him one.
Milli Vanilli was abandoned in a shopping bag at a Kirkland Park ‘n’ Ride when he was only a tiny kitten. He came to MEOW in 2006 and then in 2011, when his adoptive family could no longer care for him, MEOW again offered him a soft place to land.
In mid-December of 2011, Milli somehow ingested the fiberfill stuffing from a large kicker toy. Milli became very ill, eventually needing a gastroendoscopy and placement of an esophageal feeding tube at Seattle Veterinary Specialists.
Milli lost more than two pounds when he was unable to eat for more than two weeks. Both an ultrasound and extensive exploratory surgery proved inconclusive. MEOW nursed Milli back to health with love, patience, and a feeding tube that provided only a few drops of liquid per hour.
Mill was finally released from the hospital on New Year’s Eve. It would be another month before he could eat on his own and his feeding tube was finally removed. While his condition was never diagnosed, he began to heal. And only a few weeks after his ordeal was over, Milli Vanilli found a loving home – and a new name.
The lucky cat, who now goes by “Enzo,” lives with a brother named Cowboy and a sister named Lily.
Enzo’s mom stated to her friends in an email message: “The people at MEOW call Enzo the "$10,000 Cat," because they spent that much – more in fact – on emergency services, surgeries and other medical procedures to diagnose and cure his condition. How many shelters, do you suppose, would go to this extent to save a single kitty? I cannot praise them enough.”
MEOW has never made a medical decision based upon cost – and thanks to this organization, cats like Lucy, Chuck, Enzo were able to find their families.
Congratulations, MEOW, on 16 years of life-changing service. Your dedication and commitment have truly made a difference in the Seattle area and beyond.
Would you like to help support MEOW's Mercy Fund and help them continue to save pets like Enzo and Chuck? If so, click here to help them continue to save lives.
If you are able to open your heart and home to a cat in need, please click here. And if you would like to become involved with MEOW, visit their website for more information.
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