Saving the kittens of Waxahachie

Since 2013, Vanessa and Jimmy Vaughn, founders of nonprofit TLC Kitten Rescue of Waxahachie, have welcomed neonatal kittens and cats in critical conditions into their home, where they nurture the cats, take them to vet appointments and help them find new homes.

It all started with kittens in a garden, Vanessa, the heart behind the rescue, said.

She was looking for something life-giving to do following her retirement.

At first, she tried quilting but found it lacking.

“He (Jimmy) thought I was going to make quilts, but quilts just didn’t keep me happy,” she said. “It’s something to do, but no company at all. Cats are good company.”

Vanessa had previously rescued Great Pyrenees, but she had to stop as it became more difficult for her to lift them into the car for vet visits. She had never rescued cats because her husband, Jimmy, always told her cats were never allowed in the house.

“A pregnant mother had her kittens in our angel garden … ,” she said. “I had retired from my job in working in the therapy department, but I wasn’t through wanting something to do, and I told God, ‘Please, give me something constructive to do.’ He brought me kittens … in my angel garden.”

When they realized the mother cat wasn’t coming back, Jimmy picked up the kittens and brought them inside, shocking Vanessa.

“He didn’t really like cats, (but) he brought the first ones in our home,” she said.

Now, the Vaughns’ home is always full of kittens. They have a room dedicated to the cats, with large crates, an incubator, stacks of food, including kitten milk replacer (KMR) and wellness kitten food, cat toys and more. In their living room, they have zip-up playpens for older kittens to play in and cat towers.

“I love being able to save them because there’s so many of them (here), and they need help,” Vanessa said. “We still need at least 10 more rescues to try to save all of them because all the shelters and rescues, we all just stay completely busy. There’s still so many that we can’t get to.”

Even when Vanessa can’t take in more cats or kittens, she finds a way to help them.

“I witness a lot of times somebody will call up (and) we’re over capacity,” Jimmy said. “That don’t mean she’s not gonna help. She’ll find somebody or give them ideas on how to get their (cat) taken care of.”

When a kitten arrives at TLC Kitten Rescue of Waxahachie, the first thing Vanessa does is check it for any injuries, fleas, ticks or other issues.

“I assess whether they need a vet or not, and if they need a vet, I immediately make an appointment,” she said. “We just make a list of everything they need.”

Vanessa microchips every cat that comes into her care and ensures they have all their vaccinations.

“I like our kittens to be roly-poly and healthy,” she said. “They get dewormer every two weeks and then at eight weeks, they get their first vaccination. Then, they’re eligible to get adopted into our early adoption program.”

Through the early adoption program, kittens can go to their new home with the owner signing a contract to bring the kitten back for its Texas Coalition for Animal Protection spay/neuter appointment.

To adopt one of the kittens or cats at the rescue, an application, which is found on the nonprofit’s Facebook page, must first be filled out. Vanessa goes over every application, looking for applicants who are not planning to declaw the kittens and who are planning to keep them indoors. Next, she calls the applicant and invites them for a meet and greet with the cat.

“I look for the ones that are good homes for these kittens,” Vanessa said. “The cats tell me who they want to go home with. The person doesn’t say, ‘Oh, I want this cat.’ The cat says, ‘Oh, I want this person’ because they purr. If the cat looks happy, then I’m happy.”

That’s one of her favorite parts of running the rescue – watching people create a connection with the cat.

“Every time that someone adopts a kitten – that’s their new best friend, and they love it, and they’re happy,” Vanessa said. “It makes love in their life. I love that part. … These kittens, they grow into really wonderful support because they love you no matter what.”

The rescue has operated since 2013 and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021. The rescue is hosting a garage sale, located at 615 Dunn St., from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. May 19-20 to raise funds to run the kitten room and to pay for vet visits.

The rescue is open by appointment only from 2-6 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays. Donations can be dropped off at any time in a box on the front porch, with Vanessa stating KMR and wellness kitten food are items they need the most. Vanessa said she also is always looking for volunteers to help take care of the kittens. Those interested can reach out via email at tlckittenrescueofwaxahachie@gmail.com, Facebook or by phone at 214-949-2247.

For more information, visit https://tlckittenrescueofwaxahachie.com/ and follow @TLCKittenRescueofWaxahachie on Facebook.

Originally published May 15, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/arts_and_entertainment/saving-the-kittens-of-waxahachie/article_a9896698-f359-11ed-8099-4fd6340345f0.html