Page 15 - Jupiter Spotlight - March '25

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 15
The Pet Cottage Post

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

TRAFFIC
We’ve secured state funding to help fix
Indiantown Road, now let’s follow through

SMALL TOWN FEEL
Development should be compatible with the
character and scale of the Town we have
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Keep taxes low, spending responsible, and services
top-notch for residents and small businesses
ENVIRONMENT
Our inlet, beaches, and natural areas make
Jupiter unique, and must be protected

ELECTION DAY IS MARCH 11th
www.MaliseforJupiter.com

Malise@MaliseForJupiter.com

(561) 316-4688
Facebook.com/MaliseForJupiter
YouTube.com/MaliseForJupiter