Intro from a Friend

Bird watching gallery

I met Eloise in 1995, just after she had moved to the home pictured here. We met when some acquaintances asked each of us to assist with the start-up of the Rappahannock Humane Society. We had lunch, and that was it—we've been close ever since.

Eloise taught me much that I have brought with me to my own work with animals. Her invaluable mentorship touched on all the basics, of course. That foster cat has a URI? Well, no problem, this is what to do. Need to trap a feral cat? OK, here is the safest way to do that so Kitty doesn't get hurt. Fluids? Easy. The list is endless…Eloise gave me the confidence, resources, and time to learn so very much. Just watching her handle a cat who was afraid was so important to my understanding how to calm them, keep them safe, and get done whatever needed doing.

All the world’s a bed

Far more important, Eloise has helped me recognize the way I wanted to relate to animals. She doesn't just love her housemates, she respects them, she sees them as friends and family. She accords them rights, and is sensitive to their needs, likes, and dislikes. She is there for them when they want to go for a walk, there for them when they want to show her something, there for them when they are ready to die. This is a household of different species who don't just live together; they share their lives.

We continued to work together, getting cats out of trees, helping to open the first low cost spay-neuter facility in the area, cleaning up the horrible sadness of a cat warehouser and generally doing what we could at any given time. Her dedication is infectious and never fails. She will climb into culverts. She will stop traffic. If she had to leap a tall building in a single bound to save an animal, she would do it—I believe that.

Eloise is my hero, and she needs help. My help and yours.

The real estate industry has suffered greatly, and with it, Eloise's business. She can no longer afford to cover the costs alone. Food, litter, medications, vet bills, utilities, etc. have just become too much for her to pay for out of pocket.

Please consider sponsoring a cat for the next year or so, and you will find that you have helped a really special place and a very special human named Eloise.

You will have my sincerest thanks as well, of course.

Nina Wolf
Au Purr, LLC