Kelly Beuth is changing the world through her love of our feline friends. She is part of our WOMEN WHO CRUSH THE WORLD Hope Rises series.
We have known Kelly through her compassionate rescue efforts, and thought we would introduce her cause – Pumpkin’s Patch Independent Cat Rescue, based out of Buffalo, NY – to you!
When did you begin Pumpkin’s Patch and why?
I began rescuing cats over a decade ago when one of my students asked me if I could help her by fostering an orange female kitty, who was living on her porch and was pregnant. I knew nothing about rescue, but I agreed because I had always wanted an orange kitty. While trying every which way to corner this mother cat, we heard tiny cries. We learned that the babies had already been born and were under an old cardboard box on the adjacent porch of an abandoned home. I bottle fed and raised those four babies and simply fell in love with rescuing. Eventually, we were able to trap the mama kitty and take care of her indoors.
More than 600 cats later, and there is still nothing I’d rather be doing! It has somewhat evolved slowly into an organization. We do not have our 501c3 which at times is an advantage and disadvantage. I mostly work on my own and with the help of fosters, which is at times overwhelming, but it certainly is wonderful. I am blessed to be able to share what I have with the precious creatures of this earth that need help.
Why did you name it Pumpkin’s Patch?
One of the four babies in the first litter was named Mr. Pumpkin. He had to be put to sleep at just 5-months, when he became sick. It was one of the worst moments I had faced to that point, and to honor his legacy, and where it all began, I decided to name the group after him. I still have his brother, Rudy, and I think of Pumpkin often. He was just wonderful.You take in abandoned cats that are emotionally damaged and, at times, physically injured – why are you so committed?
No human or creature should face extreme suffering. It breaks my heart to witness what I have, but one of my favorite quotes guides me:
“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being (or creature) let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” This is the work that needs to be done. Most people regard animals, particularly cats, as disposable creatures and not worth their time. We need to change that mentality. They are wonderful, vibrant, sentient creatures that deserve so much better.
Tell me a rescue story that you want our readers to know about and why?
One cat that will always remind me why I do this is Hope. She was an elderly cat in the worst shape that I have ever seen. A wonderful man spotted her on a porch in the dead of winter, Christmas Eve to be exact, and stopped to speak to the woman who owned the house. That cat had very little time left from the shape she was in, and after three hours of convincing her, she allowed him to take the cat. He contacted me because he didn’t know what to do and I met precious Hope. Lots of vet visits, and medications later, she was so much better. She lived the last year of her life with me, and she was the sweetest, happiest, most angelic girl. I wish I had been able to give her that life longer.
This is why I do what I do.
Why should more people assist animals in need?
We are a culture that renders everything disposable, sadly, and while rescuers work very hard to shift that paradigm of thinking, there are still many people who abandon cats, leaving them to fend for themselves. It creates an even bigger pool of suffering, as they continue to reproduce. What I do is nothing special – it is something everyone can easily do. If each person reached out and helped one or two animals, the burden would be so much less.
If each person could spay or neuter their pets, the burden would be so much less. Responsible care taking is something everyone can do, and it would make the world such a better place for people and animals alike.
How can someone help if they wish to do so?
Spay or neuter a feral kitty. Spay and neuter your own animals. That’s a great way to start! Reach out to rescues and offer to volunteer. I have a handful of skittish cats that could benefit from a dedicated foster parent that would have patience with them and help them socialize. If you have a spare room and some spare time, I’d be extremely grateful!
Donations of food and letter, and of course funds, is also essential. We have a Go Fund Me right now that is set up for donations. Click here.
As an independent rescue, all money comes from my own pocket or generous friends and families, even adopters who understand what I do. And for that I am eternally grateful and blessed.
And of course: ADOPT!
To read more Hope Rises stories or to nominate a woman as part of our WOMEN WHO CRUSH THE WORLD series, click here.
