By: Dayanara Marroquin
At Felius Cat Café and Rescue, visitors can grab a drink, spend time with cats and maybe even meet one they want to take home.
But before those cats are ready for adoption, much of the work happens behind the scenes.
Bre Phelan, president and founder of Felius, said care begins as soon as a cat enters the rescue.
“When we first intake a cat into our rescue, whether it’s from a rescue partner or from our rescue directly, they go straight into a foster home first,” Phelan said.
Some cats arrive needing additional care, including surgery or medication, before they are ready to find permanent homes. Those needs can make veterinary care one of the significant costs associated with the rescue’s work.
Community support through adoptions, volunteers and fundraising helps Felius provide that care.
Ava Bleber has been part of that support for nearly three years. She tries to volunteer once a week, helping care for the space and watching cats come and go as they find homes.
“As sad as it is to come a week later and one may be gone, you know that they went to, like, a great home,” Bleber said.
Felius is now preparing for its annual Black Cat Gala, the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year. The event brings Omaha cat lovers together while raising money to support the rescue’s operations.
Last year, the gala raised nearly $30,000.
Phelan said money raised at this year’s event will help cover the costs associated with caring for cats and operating the shelter.
“This year’s gala will then go back into our rescue and vetting fund,” Phelan said. “It will also help us keep the lights on in our shelter.”
For Felius, that community support helps provide the care cats need before they are ready for adoption — and brings them one step closer to finding their next home.
