CRAN has long been known as the place that steps up for the cats who need help the most. Veterinarians call when a sick or injured cat is surrendered. Good Samaritans reach out when they find a cat in distress. They know that CRAN lives its mission every day: to provide care and find loving homes for the cats of our community, with a focus on those with special needs. One of our recent rescues, Juniper, embodies that mission perfectly.

Found in a Ditch — and Given a Chance

Juniper is a petite black‑and‑white cat with silky fur, bright white socks, and a delicate blaze on her nose. Sweet‑natured, curious, and playful, she is anything but an ordinary kitten. Juniper is blind, deaf, and has had most of her teeth removed. She was found abandoned and alone in a ditch — frightened, in pain, and unsure of the world around her. Her rescuer brought her to safety, and soon she arrived at CRAN. The question hung in the air: Could we help her?  The answer, as always, was yes.

A Foster Home Meant Just for Her

The stars aligned when foster mom Angela reached out. She had seen Juniper’s rescue story on NextDoor and immediately felt called to help. “When I saw Juniper's rescuer's post on NextDoor I knew that my home could be a great foster fit for her unique needs. By the luck of life, my kids and our motley crew of cats have lots of experience with pet hospice care… Fostering Juniper was an incredible journey… Juniper's progress is a testament of her resiliency and capacity to trust and try again. As a foster it’s a real gift to be a part of CRAN.” Under Angela’s calm, patient care, Juniper blossomed. She learned to navigate her environment, trust her people, and rediscover comfort and joy.

Searching for the Right Forever Home

When it came time to write Juniper’s adoption bio, our volunteers worked hard to capture her spirit: “Quite vocal, Juniper often chirps and trills to communicate. Affectionate and loving, she actively seeks out pets and is growing more accustomed to being held... She will always need a soft food diet, reliable routines, patience and protection. In turn, she will offer lifelong affection and companionship.” Everyone at CRAN waited — hoping for someone who would see Juniper not for her limitations, but for her heart. And then the perfect application arrived.

“When You Know, You Know”

Judi and her partner Steve had talked about adopting a cat who might otherwise be overlooked. When Judi saw Juniper’s story, she felt an instant connection. “It just felt like she was the right one... Steve and I both had experience with special needs pets so we knew her care was a challenge we could happily undertake.” Juniper — now lovingly called Juni — settled in almost immediately. Within two days she mastered the stairs to reach the couple’s bed, her new favorite place. She has free roam of the house but prefers the cozy comfort of the bedroom. She plays “soccer” with her catnip toys, and Judi gathers them up afterward so Juni can always find them again. “We are overjoyed about having Juni in our home... She is settling in really well and even seems to be discovering a second kittenhood.”

A Happy Ending Made Possible by Many Hands

Angela, her foster, summed it up best: “Thanks to CRAN, Juni's now with her permanent family and absolutely thriving. It took effort by many of us, and as it is for all cats, totally worth it.” Juniper’s story is a reminder of what compassion can do — and how a community working together can change a life.

CRAN doesn’t have its own shelter, so 95% of our cats are lovingly cared for in foster homes. A small number, however, stay in our CRAN catteries—including one very special location that many supporters don’t realize we have.

For 16 wonderful years, CRAN has partnered with WAGS! Dog & Cat Emporium at 136 Oakway Road. WAGS built a beautiful, two‐room, cage‐free cattery just for our adoptable cats. It features sunny windows, cozy perches, a ceiling‐level cat run, and even a bench where visitors can sit and spend time with the kitties.

Hundreds of CRAN cats have found their forever homes thanks to this partnership. We are deeply grateful for the kindness and dedication of the WAGS! staff, who care for our cats every single day—on top of their regular workload. Their love for the cats shines through in everything they do.

Here’s what the WAGS! team has to say about working with CRAN cats:

• Shy: “Working with CRAN cats has been such a highlight of my mornings. I bond with each one that I come in contact with. It can be sad when they get adopted, but so happy for them when they get a family.”

• Sytiva: “The kitties brighten our days, and being part of helping families grow is incredibly rewarding.”

• Ryan: “We find joy in giving them a little love and care on their way to finding their forever families.”

If you haven’t visited yet, we’d love for you to stop by WAGS! on Oakway Road and meet our adoptable CRAN cats. You might just meet your new best friend.