BURSTWhen Shelly Roche was a child, her parents took her to a Persian cat breeder to pick out a new kitten.
In the line of kittens, one stood out to a young Roche.
An older kitten with a pronounced overbite, making his canine teeth stick out. Roche took the cat home and called him her best friend for 18 years.
“I insisted he was the one,” said Roche.
That bond with kittens eventually turned into TinyKittens in Langley, a non-profit rescue organization that helps neglected and feral cats get the care they need.
TinyKittens’ purpose is to change the global perception of feral cats, allowing for their adoption later. They help nurture these cats, and document their stories on social media to develop positive emotional relationships with feral cats.
TinyKittens takes these cats into an understanding and caring environment, led by donations and volunteers, explained the founder.
“They’re such remarkable, resilient creatures with the most heart-melting stories to tell,” said Roche.
TinyKittens has amassed more than 200,000 followers on Instagram and more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers, including more than 196 million video views.
Before establishing TinyKittens in 2015, Roche volunteered as a foster parent for kittens at the local Langley Animal Protection Society’s shelter. She said this experience introduced her to the side of neglected cats.
“I brought home 10 feral kittens who turned out to be very sick. They opened my eyes to the suffering of feral cats that happens invisibly in every community,” said Roche.
“I became obsessed with figuring out better ways to help them.”
With the motto “rescuing locally, educating globally,” duties at TinyKittens include caring for, feeding, and neutering and spaying feral cats, led by 15 local volunteers in Langley. A further 60-plus volunteers worldwide help moderate the YouTube livestream of the cats 24/7.
Recently, TinyKittens celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala at the Fort Langley Golf Course. It was a chance, Roche said, to celebrate the cats, and to acknowledge the work done by the organization during the past decade.
The event was attended by volunteers, sponsors, and cat lovers.
“TinyKittens is revolutionary in the rescue community,” said veterinarian and TinyKittens supporter Dr. Renee Ferguson.
But this event was about more than the milestone, it was about all the cats they’ve helped.
“Like humans, animals also heal faster, and they feel better, when they’re emotionally and physically supported,” added Ferguson.
“TinyKittens has redefined how rescue cats are cared for. These cats get a stress-free environment and a level of handling that a decade ago was unheard of.”
Roche said she never thought the organization would gain this much traction or global love.
“It’s pretty incredible to see. I never could have predicted the impact we would have,” said Roche.
She began livestreaming TinyKittens’ cats to help find their permanent homes. But as the organization evolved into helping feral cats, Roche said livestreaming let people see all aspects of the cat’s lives.
“Our purpose expanded to rescuing the un-rescuable and telling their stories in a way that inspires compassion,” she explained.
“We’ve learned so much about feral cats by observing them over the cams, both where they live, and when they’re in our care. The most captivating thing is witnessing the deep bonds they share. The big, fierce tom cats coparent with the mama cats, moms care for each other’s kittens, and we see so much snuggling.”
From births to blind cats playing for the first time, there is always a story to be told.
“Even if you’re old, broken, misunderstood or different, you matter,” said Roche.
Through these livestreams TinyKittens has influenced actions around the world – from Morocco to Australia – including in excess of 800 worldwide adoptions and more than 3,000 local adoptions or actions.
“Somehow, we’ve evolved into the most incredible global community,” she said. “We hope to inspire people to take action in their own neighbourhoods around the world.”
During the past decade, thousands of cats have been cared for by TinyKittens, and Roche said she’s had so many favourite moments.
From Grandpa Mason, a saved dying feral cat, to Skye, a feral, pregnant and nearly blind cat, every story is rewarding.
“Mason is an incredible reminder of the amazing work that TinyKittens does,” said Ferguson.
Moving past the 10th anniversary, Roche hopes to continue the mission of rescue, resilience, and compassion by uniting people and animals through the organization.
“People from all walks of life, facing all manner of challenges, can come together and find connection, compassion, hope, healing, and joy by watching rescue kittens together.”
Roche said TinyKittens is always willing to help with spaying and neutering cats and other cats in need. She encourages people to reach out for help with their cats, and if people wish to volunteer or donate.
“We’ve successfully stabilized properties with more than 400 cats. If anyone out there has a growing population of cats and needs a hand, please reach out to us.”
For more information and to learn how to help, people can visit: www.tinykittens.com or email meow@tinykittens.com.