COMING TOGETHER FOR MOCHA, IN MEMORY OF FERN

Hi friends, I don’t even know how I am going to find the energy to write this because I’m emotionally and mentally exhausted but I need to for Mocha. Those of you who follow us on instagram may have seen that our sweet girl Fern crossed the rainbow bridge. To say that I feel totally heart broken is a severe understatement. Grab a drink because this is gonna be a long one. I feel like I have to include as much information as possible so you better understand my position and where I’m coming from. 🫶🏽

She came into our lives about 5 months ago. Our adopted barn cat Mocha, who came with the farm we bought actually adopted her! You can watch that story HERE. She was so skittish and scared at first but I was winning her over and she was beginning to trust me and even though we weren’t there yet, we had a sure bond, a real connection. We’d hang out every evening, we’d slow blink at each other (if you know, you know) and she knew she could count on me for a warm bed in the barn and a yummy meal every evening.

Well, 2 weeks ago she didn’t show up, I didn’t think much of it because she’d skip a day or two from time to time but after that, I began to worry, I began to look for her and scream her name but she wouldn’t come. I left for 3 days for a pre-planned birthday trip but I checked with my husband ever day to see if he saw her at the barn when he went down to feed them and no, he didn’t. I chose to believe he just wasn’t really looking for her like I do but no, she wasn’t there when I got back either. So I made missing posters and then put one up on the local community Facebook page. The worst possible news I could’ve gotten came. Someone replied to the poster online that they saw her deceased on the side of the road, struck by a vehicle and they posted the location. They were the corner of where I live. Someone killed her, I couldn’t believe it. I jumped in my car and began searching again, I didn’t see her. I looked right where they said every single day since the second day she didn’t come and I didn’t see her, today was no different. I didn’t see her. I asked her if she was sure and she said yes. To pull up to her house (she happened to be my neighbor across the street, the homes are VERY spread out here) and honk and she would come out and show me where she was. I couldn’t do it, if it was Fern, I realized that I could not see her in the condition she was probably in. I asked my husband to go so he took off work early and headed over. It was her, it was out Fernie. My sweet, sweet Fern was killed by a careless driver who didn’t even bother to stop and check if she could be saved with medical attention. He/she didn’t notify the THREE homes in that immediate area that she probably belonged to so we could take it from there and get her the lifesaving care that “might” have saved her, he/she just left her there to die. I can’t even explain how devastated and guilty I feel. I pray she didn’t suffer. I pray it was quick and she couldn’t be saved . . . . since she wasn’t. I was trying so hard to earn her trust. I was trying so hard to get her to the point where she would trust me to pet her and hold her and put her in a carrier to take her to the vet for a spay/neuter, check up, vaccines, grooming and microchip. Even though we weren’t there, we were SO close! You can see our progress —-> HERE & HERE & HERE (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8cRk6NJR4B/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==), and also MANY more photos an videos of my absolutely stunning and sweet girl and exactly what happened towards the end of the first link ( I explain it there in some story videos). 😞

This has been my biggest fear with Fern and Mocha, that they would either get hit by a car OR that a predator would get to them. We have coyotes, bobcats, raccoons and occasionally I’ve heard that mountain lions and bears have even been spotted. I’ve never seen the last two but I’ve heard . . . I’d been wanting to build them a secure enclosure/catio to give them the space they are used to but the security they need. We did turn one of the barn stalls into a makeshift “bedroom” for them with cat beds, heated and cooking cat houses, half doors that open only on top and protection from the elements BUT that doesn’t protect them from cats or predators that can also climb and jump. Which is pretty much all of them around here. They need(ed) something better, obviously. :(

I’ve recently had brain surgery on June 3rd and between that, our HVAC needing to be replaced, our well needing major repairs, our AC vents and insulation needing repairs and our washing machine breaking (all in just over 12 months) and the cost of our mounting vet bills from our new and current fur babies (even with pet insurance, the bills are never ending lately) the cost of an appropriately sized enclosure feels impossible. I have a small chunk saved up, that was going to be the money I’d use to purchase my medical service animal next year but I’m willing to hold off on a service animal and put that money towards a catio to keep Mocha safe. It’s still not enough money for the size of enclose I’d need to build so Mocha doesn’t get depressed. He will be 12 on his next birthday, I know this because when we moved in 3 years ago, I began to ask around to my 3 neighbors if he belonged to them and one neighbor told us that he was a kitten from one of their barn cats litters. He ran away after being neutered and they actually thought he passed away because they never saw him again. He didn’t, he just moved into the barn down the street with my in laws, who lived here at the time. Well, that was that, he was my baby now. He’s literally love in living and breathing form. Ask ANYONE who has ever met him, you can clearly see it in these photos too that he loves EVERYONE and is ready to be EVERYONE’S best friend. He lives to love and be loved. He loves to snuggle and go on nature walks and talk your ear off. He’s pure perfection. You can watch countless videos of him being his sweet self an interacting with us and our other animals —-> HERE.

Anyway, he’s lived a wild and free life for almost 12 years now. So to put him in a catio the size of a walk in closet would be cruel. I truly believe he would become depressed and die. So this enclosure needs to be large. So he has enough space to still feel free but is secure and enclosed to keep him safe from predators, the elements and cars.

As I laid in bed last night, sobbing about the loss of Fern, I could hear a pack of coyotes howling and screeching outside. I also knew Mocha was out there and he had nothing to protect him from them if they decided to head his way. We have a Rottweiler outside too, so that helps deter them a little but against a pack? No. We bring our dog in too when they sound like they are getting too close. We can’t bring Mocha in though. He won’t come in, I’ve tried many times. I felt sick to my stomach knowing Mocha was out there with those coyotes. Literally nauseous.

In addition to Mocha not wanting to be a house cat, we now have other indoor cats, one of which isn’t a fan of Mocha. I think he feels territorial or something. Mocha likes him, it’s Shark that doesn’t like Mocha. so in addition to the fact that Mocha just doesn’t want to be a house at, now we have Shark that won’t tolerate him being indoors. Building a secure enclosure for him is our ONLY option it seems.

I have had a handful of friends suggest that I start a fundraiser, so here I am, asking any animal (cat) lovers out there to see if they are able to donate ANY amount towards helping us build a safe enclosure for Mocha to live in. He is the truly BIGGEST sweetheart and deserves to be safe. Here is a super sweet video showing how sweet he is —-> VIDEO. I am not sure yet exactly how much this is going to cost but I know it won’t be cheap. I am going to put in what I have saved for my service dog and any amount you amazing souls are able to offer as well. Please know that no amount is too small, ANY amount you can donate is GREATLY appreciated. I will track all expenses and if I miraculously receive an abundance of donations and have money leftover. I promise to donate it to a shelter that helps cats in need, in memory of my sweet Fern. I’m open to recommendations but do have a couple of rescues in mind also.

If you think of it, please pray that Mocha stays safe while we figure out his enclosure and please pray for my broken heart. I am so incredibly sad and feel so lost and helpless.

I will add my Venmo, Zelle and PayPal below; in case you feel lead to donate to our cause to help keep Mocha safe by building him a secure enclosure/catio. If you can’t donate, maybe you can share? Both are greatly appreciated.