The Beginnings

It all started with a little black cat…

In June 2015, I came across a post from a local rescue looking for a foster home for a tiny black cat who tested positive for FIV. She had been found in Unicoi, Tennessee with her three kittens. Her babies had all been adopted, but she wasn’t doing well in the busy rescue environment. She was shy, overwhelmed, and needed something quieter.

At the time, I already had two FIV+ cats and knew it was nothing to be afraid of. Spayed and neutered FIV+ cats can live safely with non-positive cats with little to no risk. So after an application and a few emails, Linda Bearfield showed up at my door with the biggest smile—and that tiny cat.

I named her Stella.

I began working with Operation: Johnson Kitty and director, Melinda Maiden, and was introduced to an entirely new side of rescue work. I learned how to trap and became truly “boots on the ground,” seeing firsthand where these cats come from. Rescue wasn’t just about socializing kittens anymore—it was about being there from the very beginning.  We still laugh about the “ringworm kittens” from the Summer of 2020.

That experience also brought some amazing people into my life, including Lisa Williamson of New Hope Cat Rescue. Around that same time, I learned how to care for bottle babies, thanks to Teresa Smith, who continues to be an incredible resource and supporter.

During my time with Operation: Johnson Kitty, I was given opportunities to grow far beyond fostering. I helped with fundraising, reviewing applications, and managing adoption events. Those experiences eventually led me to my next role—serving as an interim rescue director for Dos Rios Resque.