Little Havana Cats

For years, eight cats lived with a woman and her husband in a small one-bedroom apartment in Little Havana, Miami. Some spent more time indoors, while others moved between the apartment and the neighborhood outside. They were a little family: Molly, Tito, Nico, Whiskey, Egypt, Tuna, Yogurt, and Panda.

When their owner was evicted, the cats suddenly lost the only home they knew and ended up on the streets of Little Havana. For the next five or six months, they lived outside.

Some adjusted better than others. Nico, Whiskey, and Egypt struggled the most. They had spent much of their lives indoors and were deeply attached to their people, and the sudden loss of home and routine was especially difficult for them.

That was when our network of cat-lady friends stepped in. Emma, Sofia, Angela, and others worked together to make sure the cats did not simply disappear into the streets. They fed them, watched over them, found fosters and adopters, and helped figure out where each cat could safely go.

In the end, three found permanent adoptive homes. Egypt was adopted and now lives in Maine. Tito was adopted as well and lives in New Hampshire. Whiskey went into foster care in Florida, where his foster family fell in love with him and decided he was already home.

Five came to Artemis House: **Molly, Nico, Tuna, Yogurt, and Panda.**

And they have adjusted beautifully.

Nico has emerged as the leader of the group, and Yogurt likes to stay close to him whenever she can. Panda is very much his own cat—an independent loner who seems perfectly content enjoying his territory, his meals, and his freedom.

Molly was extremely skittish when she first arrived. Now she is almost unrecognizable: affectionate, playful, rolling around happily and seeking attention. Tuna has settled in well too, becoming comfortable in the rhythms of sanctuary life.

What began as an eviction that scattered a family of cats into the streets became a community rescue.

Their former owner may eventually have to return to Peru, so we continue sending her photographs of them so she can see that they are safe and thriving.

Eight cats lost their home.
Because a group of women refused to leave them behind, all eight found somewhere safe to land.

** Nico, Molly, Yogurt, and Panda are available for adoption. Preference will be given to homes with a safe, enclosed outdoor space. Nico and Yogurt are especially close and may be adopted together. **