A woman walking to her car after shopping spotted a feral ginger cat in the distance out of the corner of her eye. Stopping and wanting to help, the kitty led the woman to an alley behind a building—and not a moment too soon.
On October 29, 2024, Emilie shared the moving story of the orange feral cat she named Leo and explained why he’s being hailed a hero after this chance encounter.
Sometimes, the stars collide and put the right person in the right situation at the exact time they can help. That sums up how Emilie’s night changed when she met Leo—and all the lives now have a chance to thrive thanks to the two.
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The more than 30 cats in the colony needed urgent help, and Emilie highlighted their condition, noting many were “horrifically sick. ” With the help of friends, they could get them the care they needed.
And Leo deserves a whole lot of praise. He very likely prefers to stay away from people, which is why he’s been so hard to catch, yet he took the chance on Emilie for the sake of his family. It’s beautiful how life works like that sometimes and how the two continue to work on a slow, trusting bond.
The comments on the video give both Emilie and Leo the props they deserve. One wrote, “I appreciate you so much. From one colony feeder to another,” while another shared, “Okay, I’m crying. Emilie, you are so amazing.”
Others cheered Emilie on and hoped to hear an update that she’s been able to get him to trust her to take him care of. One wrote, “I hope you get him. He looks like the type to not go easily. Good luck, little guy.” Someone else added, “Looking forward to the day he lets you catch him.”
What to Do If You Spot a Feral Cat or Cat Colony
It’s unfortunate that there are cats living alone outside or in colonies where sickness can be a key issue for their health. But thankfully, there are ways people can help a feral cat or a colony of cats if we happen to come across them, like Emilie.
According to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), if you encounter a roaming cat or colony, it’s best to call in the experts for help.
According to the organization, trying to contact feral cats who have never had much human interaction can cause “significant stress.” The SPCA helps feral cats through its TNR program, also called the Trap, Neuter & Return program, which is widely used by other national organizations.
“Cats living in feral cat colonies are caught, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, receive parasite treatment, and are treated for any medical issues at the same time as the spay/neuter,” the organization explains. Those cats are then returned to their home outdoors. “This ensures that the members of the colony do not continue having kittens who grow up to lead a short and difficult life,” per SPCA.
