NY Couple Moves Into Dream Home And Discovers Another Family Already There
What would you do if you discovered a colony of cats living on your new property? Most people might call animal control and have them removed, but that wasn’t the path for Emily Bott and her partner.
Their story is a heartwarming example of compassion in action.
It all started when the couple went to inspect their new home’s property. At first, they noticed just a few cats and assumed they were neighborhood wanderers. But after moving in, Emily discovered the real number:
“When we moved to our new place, we discovered that there were actually 16 cats here.”
The cats had likely been living in the old barn or shed on the property, taking shelter from the wind and snow. Emily explained:
“I would suspect that they pretty much just stayed in the barn or the shed. It’s a very old barn, so wind and snow can get in there still.”
Although neither of them had ever owned cats before, they were immediately touched by the feline visitors. With winter approaching, they wanted to ensure the cats had a warm and safe place to stay, a challenging task since some were extremely feral.
The couple decided to transform their old breezeway into a cozy space for the cats during the colder months.
Since the cats were motivated by food, it didn’t take long to encourage them inside. To avoid making the cats feel trapped, they installed a cat door so the animals could come and go freely.
Emily also began scheduling vet visits to check on the cats’ health and have them spayed or neutered. But the care didn’t stop there.
Her husband built the cats a dedicated house filled with beds, toys, and towers. The couple even plans to create a special room inside their home for the cats. Emily shared:
“Every cat, I would say, was different in terms of how they progressed in terms of socialness. Some cats took a few years and some cats still aren’t super friendly, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can put flea and tick treatment on all of them.”
Thanks to their dedication, the cats now rarely leave the property. Emily described a typical morning:
“Most mornings I wake up and a handful of them are already waiting for me outside the door. If they know I’m outside or hear me talking, they will appear and come hang out.”
The couple’s efforts show the rewards of patience and care. Despite starting as first-time cat owners, they embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, ensuring every cat had shelter, food, and attention. Emily admitted:
“I never thought I would be a cat person. Going from never owning a cat to taking care of not only so many cats, but they were outdoor cats and most of them were feral. It was like going from zero to a hundred in terms of cat ownership right at the start. But, it’s been a lot of joy that they’ve brought to our lives. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”
Caring for sixteen cats is no small feat, especially for newcomers, yet Emily and her partner have handled it with remarkable devotion.
Their farm has become a safe haven for a mix of feral and semi-social cats, and their efforts have not only provided shelter but also love and stability for animals who would otherwise face a harsh life outdoors.
This story is a reminder that compassion often starts with small decisions, like putting out a bowl of food, but can grow into a life-changing commitment.
For Emily and her partner, their unexpected role as cat parents has brought joy, purpose, and a deep connection to the animals they now call family.
