Lets Chat About Cats - Episode 19 with special guest Joy Smith from Fieldhaven Feline Centre

LetsChatAboutCatsPodcast

Joy Smith along with her sister Jann set up Fieldhaven Feline Centre back in 2003. It wasn't quite what it is now and back then consisted of a humble barn and small number of cats. However, the mission and the sentiment behind the work was the same and it was created to save and enrich the lives of cats.
Since those humble beginnings Fieldhaven has grown from strength to strength and has increased the amount of work it is able to carry out thanks to the growth in funding from their dedicated followers and benefactors. They now host several different areas dedicated to special needs and elderly cats and Fieldhaven became a centre in 2013 enabling them to demonstrate it was more than just a rescue centre but the "centre" of all that mattered in the lives of those who were taken under the wings of the angels at Fieldhaven.
Fieldhaven is a sanctuary for all who enter its door but its so much more than that, it is a community where people and animals alike truly "belong" and due to recent events in the Paradise Fire in 2018 it became the epitome of what any rescue centre should strive to be.
Facing adversity through the harrowing conditions the staff were working in they fought with all of their being to set up a space worthy enough of the enormous task ahead, a task which would continue for Joy for 7 whole months of her life. At a time when many cats needed Joy and her helpers the most they stepped up and did whatever they could and needed to.
With the help of Alley Cat Allies Alley Cat Allies | An Advocacy Organization for All Cats | Learn How to Help Pet, Stray, Feral and Community Cats Today they were able to spring into action and their monstrous task began.
At the forefront of the rescues during the Paradise Fire, Fieldhaven were able to care for 641 cats. 142 were reunited with their families, 353 found new homes, 124 ferals were returned to their original colonies, 4 cats were given a forever home at Fieldhaven and sadly 8 passed away. Although this was a testing time for Joy and Fieldhaven it has become a monumental part of her life as cat rescuer and carer. Joy remembers it with not only sadness but happiness and immense pride and carries it into her daily life now.
Learn about the aftermath of the campfire and all the struggles Joy and her team faced as part of the Fire Cat series for the Fire Cat Movie The Fire Cats (2021) - IMDb watch the trailer here THE FIRE CATS: Behind the Scenes and Outtakes on Vimeo and the anniversary mini movie Scenes from The Fire Cats Documentary: Joy Smith Deploys to the Camp Fire on Vimeo featuring Joy herself, directed by Katharine Parsons from Ravenshoe Media, Home (ravenshoemedia.com)
You will also learn about Fieldhaven and all the wonderful initiatives they have to help keep their benefactors close to them!
Joy is a heroine of the feline world and the world is better with Joy in it! It was an absolute honour to chat with her.
Hope you enjoy listening!
Fiona X

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