Page 11 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - March '25

Jupiter Ocean Mile, Page 11
The Pet Cottage Post

The Birth Of The Pet Cottage: What started with
Joan’s three senior cats
A Tribute To Joan McCabe quickly grew. The next
animals in need were
The Pet Cottage is more than just a three dachshunds—
sanctuary for pets—it is a testament Charlie Brown, Ivy,
to the love and devotion of and Peanut—whose
one remarkable woman, Joan owner had passed
McCabe. Joan was a beautiful away. The demand for
soul, full of warmth and kindness, a safe, loving place for
whose love for her pets was pets in these situations
immeasurable. She was a client of continued to grow. In
mine when I ran a small personal April 2015, The Pet
training business for Cottage officially
women, and over time, became a nonprofit, Elsa
she became a cherished dedicated to providing
friend. Joan shared lifelong guardianship
her life with three for pets who lost The Pet Cottage is more than just a place—it is a
senior cats—Shadow, their humans due to promise. It is a tribute to Joan McCabe and to all those
Smokey, and Jeremy— death, disability, or who love their pets like family. None of this would be
who were her family deployment. possible without the generous support of our donors
and her greatest joy. From those first and community. You are the superheroes who make this
When Joan was rescues, The Pet mission a reality.
diagnosed with Cottage has flourished. There are many ways to support our work, from joining
pancreatic cancer, her Today, we provide care our Happy Tails monthly donation program to making
first concern was not Joan McCabe for over 51 dogs and one-time contributions. Every donation helps us fulfill
for herself, but for eight cats. While our our forever promise to these beloved pets and provide pet
her beloved companions. What would happen to them initial focus was on Arya companionship to senior individuals, matching pets who
when she was gone? She searched for solutions, but none pets whose owners had have lost their humans with seniors who long for a loving
existed. Determined to ease her heart, I made a promise: passed, we quickly expanded to include those affected by companion.
I would care for her cats as she had, ensuring they were disabilities such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. We also To learn more about The Pet Cottage, visit our website
safe and loved. recognized the needs of military members, ensuring their at thepetcottage.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram,
Shadow, at an astonishing 21 years old, passed before pets had a safe place when deployment or relocation made and check out our YouTube channel at The Pet Cottage
Joan. When the time came, Smokey and Jeremy, then 17, it impossible to keep them. Official. To visit, please call to make an appointment at
came to live with me. They thrived in my care, living to be One of the most beautiful aspects of this journey has (561) 818-5025.
20. But Joan’s story revealed a much larger truth—she was been the realization that senior people make extraordinary Thank you for being part of our pack!
not the only one in this predicament. Many pet owners, Forever Guardians. Many of the pets in our care are
facing illness or life-altering events, had no plan for their older and need calm, loving homes. Many seniors, facing
beloved animals. I witnessed this firsthand through my loneliness, long for companionship. The greatest challenge
relationship with hospice during Joan’s illness. The need to welcoming a senior pet into one’s home is often the cost
was clear, and when Joan passed on March 11, 2012, I, of care, particularly veterinary expenses. The Pet Cottage
Wendy Derhak, honored her legacy by founding The Pet removes that burden by paying all veterinary expenses
Cottage. allowing these perfect matches to be made.

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Learn more about how we keep hearts healthy at jupitermed.com/heart