Texas Cat Rescue

Ragdoll and Maine Coon cat adoption are only possible with the dedication and support of very special people.

If you are looking for a Maine Coon in Texas, consider Maine Coon cat rescue.

Here, MeLinda Hughes of Merlin's Hope: A Ragdoll and Maine Coon Rescue tells us about her Maine Coon cat rescue organization, and how she became involved with Texas cat rescue.

Nimue of Merlin's Hope Ragdoll and Maine Coon Rescue

In December of 1998, my Merlin (a gorgeous Seal Bi-Color Ragdoll mix), a 12 year old cat dumped at the shelter because of ongoing health issues, came into my life and convinced me that I needed to do more than just "helping."

I needed to do concerted rescue. In 1999, I bought a house and started doing in rescue. We moved back to Texas in 2002 into a small home without room for me to do rescue.

In November of that year, my much loved Merlin passed away. I decided then that I wanted to open Merlin's Hope Cat Rescue in memory of Merlin. In 2005, I purchased a large house in the country and the very next summer, we opened the doors to Merlin's Hope Cat Rescue.

Since then, we have decided to focus on Ragdolls and Maine Coons and currently work with shelters and rescues around the state of Texas and even into Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Tell us a little bit about the need for adoption and Texas cat rescue in this area: 

Rescue in Texas, like most other states, has been seriously affected by the economy.

Cats are being left in shelters because people are having to move in with relatives, friends and/or move into places that do not allow pets.

Others claim they just don't have the financial resources to continue to care for their pets.

I think the saddest rescue we have done this year was when a man who was living in his car (he had a job but was unable to afford a place to live) came to us to give up his cat, because he thought that it was the best thing for his cat.

How sad to have to give up the one thing that probably gave this poor man joy.

Tell us about your cats: 

I could talk about my awesome cats forever. Nimue, my first cat, is still with me and I am grateful to her everyday for giving me a mission in my life (although, honestly, she would be much happier to be an "only child.")

My Lady Lyonesse (Lyo) for short was actually in quarantine for biting a child (Lyo was a whole 8 weeks old) with a large X across her cage and a euthanization date.

She was so unfriendly, though cute as a button, that I had decided not to take her. We had a talk on her last night.

My words to her were: "If you aren't at the front of that cage tomorrow, I am going to let them do it."

Aslan

My Aslan, my gorgeous Red Maine Coon, came to me in a somewhat similar manner, but since he had to leave me this summer and go on to the Rainbow Bridge without me, I just can't talk about him yet.

Gypsy Rose, a calico Maine Coon, came also as a four week old kitten when a box of kittens was dumped at the shelter and this weird red-black-white face popped up out the box.

All of my cats have special places in my heart, and I am fortunate that everyday they give me a reason to get out of bed and go to work (after all, I have to be able to pay for their special food, their particular treats, and their toys).

How and when can folks contact you: We really prefer e-mail contact, since it makes it much easier for us to contact back. You can e-mail us at:

melindahug65@wildblue.net.

Our phone number (preferably after 7 p.m. and before 10 p.m.) is 972-872-9346.

How and when to see cats & kittens up for adoption: www.merlinshope.petfinder.com

Anything else you'd like to add about Texas cat rescue: We are always looking for homes in the Texas/Louisiana/Oklahoma area for our wonderful cats. We also always look for people willing to transport cats from these areas to us.