There seem to be certain locations that grab your attention, but not always for a good reason. That’s how I feel about the building where a new family of felines were later discovered near Tampa, Florida. When I drove past the dilapidated white structure, I always seemed to get stuck at the light right in front of the large but dark windows. Curiously, it made me wonder just what happened to and behind the crumbling walls. Because it was FULL to the brim with all types of items, some a thrift’ers dream come true…me specifically. But there was also something that I had no clue was sheltering between the piles of now vintage trash. As fate would have it, what it was would be a priceless find.
The Very Scary Vintage Store
In March of 2023, Cat Man Chris (a.k.a. “hubs” to me) saw a post on a local Facebook group about some cats needing help. Literally a very common occurrence here. But he and fellow rescuers from CATpassionate Village were called to a closed vintage store not far from us. Yes, it just so happened to be the same scary and enticing building from my commutes! I would later get full access to rummage through any salvageable items. And I would find out what treasures hid beneath the dusty stacks.
Apparently about 20 years ago, the owner walked in one day, not long after his wife had passed away. He looked over the store, turned around and walked out the doors, locking them behind him and never opening again. Heartbreaking. I can’t imagine the memories of their time together building the store and the acquiring the amount of items it held. There was nothing extremely valuable remaining as a friend of his had held open house sales occasionally to keep the power on, but still I ‘rescued’ some unique little finds.
Yet it was nothing compared to what Chris discovered in the abandoned store. 
What he learned was that there were DOZENS of cats living in the back lot. They had also been sheltering inside massive abandoned truck trailers on the property full of old, discarded items. However, it provided excellent coverage for the stray and feral Florida cats through whatever Mother Nature was throwing at us.
What happens in the dark corners of unmonitored cat colonies though? Kittens…so, so, so many litters of kittens. 
But over the next 2 years, together with the property owner (thankfully), Chris and team were able to TNR about 40 cats! There have also been almost 10 litters of kittens. Sadly a few litters had already been effected by fly strike and crossed the rainbow bridge far too soon. Please do not look up ‘fly strike’ online; trust me, it’s just one of the many dangers of outdoor life for animals.
Nothing Vintage About This Find!
Throughout the whole process, they had to keep one thing in the forefront of their minds. The property was being sold eventually, so time was limited. Not to mention it’s close proximity to a busy main road where numerous animals have not crossed safely. Luckily, the location was very close to both Chris and Sharon from CATpassionate Village so they visited there whenever possible.
We found homes for some of the friendly cats and relocated about a dozen cats to barn homes. Here they are cared for and in return help their new “servants” with free rodent control to protect their grain and feed for livestock. We were so glad once all of the cats had been spayed and neutered knowing that we had put a stop to the cycle of suffering at the location…
However one female grey calico cat alluded us all this time, she would appear some days at feeding times but then not been seen for days or weeks!
As the cooler months crept in, they also supplied insulated shelters. They filled the trailers with bales of straw for the cats to hunker down and stay warm. Having happy cats always increases the opportunity for them to trust you more and more. It also allows feeders like Chris to get close enough to monitor their health and the colony overall.
And then when this type of situation happens, it’s discovered as soon as possible.
One morning while feeding the colony I discovered 4 teeny kittens in one of the shelters!
Soon after, their elusive mom appeared for breakfast. The kittens best chance of survival is to stay with Mom to nurse so we kept a very close eye on them over the next few days. Happily, they were in the trailers and not out in the Florida brush where they would be more susceptible to flies and any predators. But Mom cat was staying close to the feeding area and wonderfully now allowing us to pet her while she ate. So we decided the best thing for the family was for them to be inside where they would be warm. Here, she could nurse her kittens in safety.
Far From Vintage Collectibles, they Still Needed to Trap the Entire Collection
Neither Chris nor Sharon are the type to give up; probably to a fault. But bless their hearts because that is how needy animals like this are transported to better lives. So Chris used a drop trap close to where mama vhad stashed her kittens and baited it with lots of yummy food including tuna, as well as catnip. You have to be sure to catch nursing cats first before interfering with the kittens in case mama doesn’t return. Because then you’re left with a litter of kittens you need to bottle feed. NOT easy!
Thankfully after a couple of hours and several other cats getting in the way under the drop trap I was able to trap Mom. Then I could “easily” climb over junk items in the trailer to get to the kittens and scoop them up.
Back at my Catty Shack they were reunited in a spacious crate with soft blankets. Mom got lots of wet food to stay well nourished while nursing her 4 adorable kittens.
They definitely made the right choice in relocating the new family as soon as possible. Mom cat was immediately at ease confined in the crate where she ate and accepted lots of head rubs. She then casually joined her kittens to lay down so they could nurse. They were all calm and relaxed, like they knew they would never have to hide in dirty piles again.
She never stressed during feedings again indoors
New Lease on Life for All
We enjoyed watching them on the camera we had installed to make sure all was well. They are without a doubt one of the cutest family we have ever rescued and fostered, a bold statement, yes. They were with us for several weeks though making it easy to swoon over their silly antics. It’s always a pleasure to watch the kittens grow, explore, play, transition to solid food and most importantly be safe and healthy inside.
Once the kittens were older, Momma and her last litter went to a AnimalLuvrs Dream Rescue foster home. Here they continued to thrive and after their vet visits to be spayed and neutered, all 4 kittens found the purrfect homes!
Although she happily raised her babies in comfort, Momma cat was only friendly to a point. Many times this happens to colony caretakers, where they have “feeder friendly” cats. Anyone else but that person who gives them their meals can hiss right off! And this is where she decided she would be most content in her life. She would also bite Chris or sometimes lash out, not super aggressively, but it was obvious she wasn’t a good candidate for adoption.
So the sister of their foster Mom agreed to take her in to her barn cat colony at her home. Here she has several acres and horses, plus a big barn, shelters, comfy beds and regular feeding times. Sounds like fate was watching over this family still! Mom cat was accepted by the other cats immediately and is loving the good life away from any busy roads. 
Not long after the start of 2025, the property was sold and dumpster after dumpster lined up to empty the vintage building.
A new roof was added, the dilapidated small buildings around the lot were demolished. A fresh coat of white paint covered all the mysterious scars the former walls bore. The cats have moved away from the spot, never far though. Because there are always homeless cats in need of help. Shortly after, Chris and Sharon were called to another building only a few hundred feet down the road to rescue more cats. The cycle continues…and so will rescuers across the world.
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