Elderly cat sanctuary gives end-of-life comfort to animals | News

COTTAGEVILLE — Jen Larson knows her cats may not have long to live. Their wet food, water fountains and “cat condos” help them live out their last chapter in comfort.

The felines have a range of histories that Larson may never know, from shelters, neglectful situations or homes that could no longer afford their care. What do these cats have in common? The cats at Golden Years Sanctuary are loved.

Larson found her calling for animal rescue later in life.

“This is what I wanna do when I grow up, it just took me this long,” she said. “I fall in love with these animals easily.”

After adopting an elderly cat named Stewie and witnessing his end-of-life journey, Larson vowed to help other cats experience a similar peaceful retirement. 

Golden Years is a growing rescue operation run by Larson. Established in early 2023, her sanctuary provides “a retirement home” for rescued geriatric animals in her backyard in Cottageville.

Larson cares for about half a dozen senior felines — and one old dog — on her property. There’s a routine of vet visits, nail trimmings and an occasional bedtime story read to the cats living in enclosures the size of a small bedroom.

A one-woman operation, a vet technician helps out on occasion. The nonprofit relies on community support and donations, and Larson hopes to implement foster and adoption programs within the year, as well as a community pantry for pet food.

Thomas, a cloudy-eyed tuxedo kitty — named for '80s heartthrob Tom Selleck due to his distinctive mustache — was the sanctuary's most recent resident. In mid-April, Larson got a call from a veterinarian about an “ethical dilemma”: Thomas’ owners wanted to euthanize him, so the vet asked if Larson could take him into her local shelter.

Larson took care of Thomas for about five weeks before he died from complications from a tooth surgery.

“I told him what I tell all our seniors: ‘Stay as long as you like. When you feel you need to go, that’s okay too,’ ” Larson said. “ ‘I promise I won’t let you suffer.’ ”