It all started with an emergency at a shelter in Rankin County, Mississippi. One of their cats tested positive for panleukopenia, a dangerous virus that spreads quickly and can be deadly in a crowded shelter.
To make matters worse, the summer heat was unbearable, and the air-conditioning at the shelter was struggling to keep up.
Despite the staff’s best efforts, the threat of a virus outbreak in the shelter was growing, and something had to be done fast.
That’s when Best Friends Animal Society stepped in. They’d been helping shelters across the country deal with similar crises, and this time, they knew they had to intervene quickly to save these poor cats.
The goal was simple: empty out the shelter and give these cats a safe place where they could be monitored and treated if needed.
The Rescue Begins
Leah Massey and Parker Marine, dedicated Best Friends caregivers, prepared everything for the rescue mission. They flew to Mississippi, rented a van, and headed straight to the shelter.
As they loaded 36 cats and kittens into kennels, they were met with a chorus of meows, with Edamommy, a tabby with a striking orange streak, leading the choir. But once the journey started, the cats settled down, as if they knew they were in safe hands.
After a busy day of travel, they made it to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the Humane Society of Tulsa provided a safe, quarantined space for the cats to spend the night.
Leah and Parker ensured each cat was settled in with fresh food, water, and a cozy spot to rest. They then checked into a nearby hotel to catch some much-needed sleep.
The Journey Continues
The next morning, after Leah and Parker ensured all the cats were ready for the next leg of the trip, they hit the road again.
The drive to the Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah wasn’t without its challenges, including some unexpected flash floods, but they kept going, determined to get the cats to safety.
When they finally arrived at the Sanctuary, the vets thoroughly checked every cat and kitten. To everyone’s relief, none of the cats showed signs of panleukopenia, and many were quickly placed into foster care.
A Surprise Arrival
Edamommy, the tabby that meowed the most during their trip, was among those placed in foster homes. But little did anyone know, she had the sweetest surprise in store.
Less than 24 hours after arriving at her foster home, Edamommy gave birth to three healthy kittens!
Her foster caregiver, Jill Williams, was thrilled to provide a safe space for the new family. She had the pleasure of naming the little family, opting for plant-based names that fit their personalities: Edamommy, Mochi Nugget, Mew-shroom, and M.C. Peapod.
Watching the kittens grow and thrive was a joy, and Jill couldn’t help but fall in love with their playful antics and sweet little faces.
A Happy Ending
In the end, the cross-country rescue mission was about more than just saving lives. It was about building a network of compassion and care that extends far beyond a single shelter.
Thanks to the teamwork, dedication, and love of everyone involved, these 36 cats were given a second chance at life. Several kittens have already found forever homes, and the others will be moving to theirs soon.
Best Friends even provided a grant to the Rankin County shelter to help them build a new facility. Leah shared on their website:
“Being able to support this shelter and honestly honor where their hearts are by ensuring those animals receive medical care and find adoptive homes is at the heart of it all.”
The most beautiful happy ending indeed!
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