My dream is becoming a reality.

[hamsterjill]

I am so excited and I am SO grateful.

I have been rescuing cats for over thirty years. I run a nonprofit and over the years, we’ve acquired a large number of cats that were not adoptable for various reasons. The majority of these cats are now senior in age as is their human care taker.

It has always been my dream to move to a rural area, and to build an area that is safe and secure for these kitties to be allowed to live out their lives.

My family has saved for well over a decade, and recently, we were able to finally find a suitable property and have closed on it. The previous owner had horses and there is a tack shed with attached covered stalls that will lend itself well to being reconfigured for the cats. The contractor will start next week.

I am so excited!! It is hard to believe that this is real and is finally happening after dreaming, planning, scrimping, discussing and hoping for such a long time. I find myself overcome by tears many times during the day - sheer gratitude and relief that had been held for years and can finally start to be released. There is a great deal of fear and angst hoping we will have enough funds to complete this project and can find the RIGHT people to do the work. There is also just a whole lot of physical labor ahead of us in moving ourselves and the cats and all that goes along with the cats.

But we are on our way!!! I merely wanted to share this and publicly state how grateful I am to finally be realizing my dream. The last few years have been so hard on ALL of us. Trump, COVID, you name it. It’s been hard.

I am hopeful for the first time in a long time.

Thanks for reading. I love everyone right now.

[Walleye]

1. Excellent! So exciting. Best of luck to you

[hamsterjill]

2. Thank you very much.

n/t

[spooky3]

3. Congratulations! You have helped, and will help, so

Many cats. 👍😽

[Siwsan]

4. How wonderful!!!

[3catwoman3]

5. How gratifying and exciting to be...

…fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Do you have a timetable and running?

[hamsterjill]

7. We have a general idea of timing.

We’ve had a hard time finding a contractor to do the finish out of the tack shed and enclose the area for the cats. After doing rescue for so long, I have very specific ideas about what works and doesn’t work. I think we have finally found the right person to do the project. I hope so, at least. So the next step in the time table is pretty much up to him getting the area ready. Once that is done, we will move the cats and I will move to the property.

I have a sister who is battling breast cancer successfully thankfully. She has to do some radiation treatments and once those are complete, she will come and live at the property with me. I have a daughter and son-in-law who are also a part of this and they will use the property also to get out of the city on weekends, etc.

It’s been a joint project and it has humbled me and gratified me that others are willing to go on this journey with me.

[3catwoman3]

11. I will eagerly and patiently wait...

…for updates.

[XanaDUer2]

6. Yay!

I'm so so happy for you! I know it's been a long haul. Congrats.

[hamsterjill]

8. Thank you so much, X.

Thank you for always being the friend I’ve needed when I needed to talk about stuff, scream and cry, etc.

I would love for you to visit if that opportunity ever presented itself.

[XanaDUer2]

18. Id love to!

I cannot tell you how happy i am to hear this, for you and the precious cats.

I'm here anytime.

[UpInArms]

9. Congratulations!

I am so happy your dreams are being realized.

Enjoy your new world

[tblue37]

10. When you need to, set up a GoFundMe. If you run short, you have friends here who will want to help.

[hamsterjill]

14. Thank you very much for saying that.

It may come to that. We are trying to budget very carefully but materials are constantly going up.

[Karadeniz]

12. Wonderful news !!! I ran my own cat rescue when the humane society whose foster program I

started and ran became too unreliable. So, we moved to the countryside to finally have a retirement. Didn't work out!!! The locals heard about all the cats I moved here with and in no time we were drowning in felines again !!! I had to stop rescuing for many reasons. But, I can appreciate how excited you are... Congratulations !!!

[hamsterjill]

15. I remember you telling me about your experiences.

We closed intake several years back knowing we were working toward doing this. There’s been the occasional “found” one which we always spay/neuter, etc. and try to find a home for. But the goal was to stop intake so that we outlive the cats.

We will always be involved in TNR and I am making sure that our move to the rural area is not being announced in any way. The cat area will be shielded from view.

Somehow though, I know, they always find you!

[RainCaster]

13. Congratulations for being able to follow your dream!

I hope it all goes well for you. May the hickups be few along the way.

[blm]

16. 🫶🏽😻🫶🏽

[yonder]

17. It sounds like things are lining up for you. Congratulations!

[duhneece]

19. Your dreams realized are OUR dreams realized

We are that kind of family.

[hamsterjill]

25. What a sweet thing to say.

Thank you.

[SpamWyzer]

20. Congratulations.

I wish you all the best. Cats need people like you!!! Blessings and Success!!!

[irisblue]

21. 👏👏👏

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. GREAT!!!!!!!!

[hamsterjill]

26. You know the struggles!!!!

Hope your stuff is going well!

[happy feet]

23. I got goosebumps reading your post

Nothing excites me more than when someone accomplishes their dreams. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hamsterjill]

27. It's feels unbelievable. It really does.

If I could explain - which would bore everyone to pieces - the days, the nights, the hours, the minutes spent thinking, wondering, asking people questions, learning, failing, etc., etc., I could explain the constant tears of gratitude.

It’s been a long road and the fact that the hopeful ending is in sight is very humbling.

[rubbersole]

24. You are a Saint, hamsterjill!

[hamsterjill]

28. Thank you.

But no saint here. I am among many here who understand the pangs we feel trying to help the helpless. There’s not a DU’er here who wouldn’t do the same thing given the opportunity.

I am in good company.

[ShazzieB]

29. Sounds wonderful!

Congratulations and wishes for success in this new endeavor!

[PittBlue]

30. Congratulations on your beautiful dream coming true!