A cat-themed mural graces one of the outside walls of the Purrfect Companions of Norfolk facility near Delhi.
By Lisa Timpf
Advocate Contributor
Life hasn’t always been kind to the cats who currently call the Purrfect Companions of Norfolk Cat Rescue and Adoption facility home, but you’d never guess that from taking a first-hand look.
Large habitats, equipped with comfortable beds, line the walls of the main area at the shelter at 19 Brantford Road, near Delhi.
Though the cats are secured in their habitats at night, during daytime hours it’s a different story. Cats who get along with others, and have no underlying health issues that would preclude mingling, wander freely in a large room. Here, they avail themselves of climbing posts, tunnels, and toys. Those who don’t have free run loll contentedly in spacious facilities with their own amenities.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Purrfect Companions with founder and president Brenda Cameron. As we walked through the “general population” area of the shelter, cats peered down curiously from atop the bank of habitats, or reached out an inquisitive paw as we passed. At ground level, the bolder ones strolled over to rub themselves against my leg. Clearly, if you can’t have a home of your own, there are worse places you could be.
As noted on their website, Purrfect Companions is a group of local citizens that have come together to help the many stray cats and kittens in Norfolk. The group is dedicated to finding loving homes for the cats in their care.
But that’s not always possible. Not all cats that come through the doors are adoptable. Some are too feral to adopt out, even after socialization efforts. Senior cats are tough to find new homes for, as are cats with feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus. These cats are still provided a quality of life at the Purrfect Companions facility, with the chronically ill quarantined in their own special areas as needed.
Currently, Purrfect Companions has over 500 cats in its care. Just over 300 of these are in foster homes, while 243 are housed in the shelter. Right now, they aren’t able to accept any cat surrenders, though Cameron is hoping that adoptions will ease some of the congestion.
Those adopting a cat from Purrfect Companions will get an animal that has been spayed and neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea-treated, and microchipped. Adoption fees vary, with price breaks for senior cats or multiple adoptions. In a good month, Cameron notes, they might average one adoption per day, or slightly higher.
Though Purrfect Companions has been registered as a charity since March 3, 2015, Cameron’s cat rescue history goes back another decade, dating back to discovering a litter of kittens near her home and helping them find homes. In the early days, she paid a lot of costs out of her own pocket.
Now, with an organization formed and others to help with the burdens, things are better. Still, the stress of “seeing things nobody should have to see” when it comes to neglect or injury takes its toll. Cameron notes that Purrfect Companions fills a gap in the community, as there are no local municipally-funded animal control services for cats except in the case of risk to the public posed by an aggressive animal. Purrfect Companions does not receive municipal funding, relying on donations to pay the bills.
Fighting back against a tide of surrendered and stray animals, it might be hard to keep the faith. But the numbers support the notion that Purrfect Companions is making a difference. In 2024, Purrfect Companions arranged for 595 cat adoptions. That’s almost 600 cats that could have ended up with a worse fate.
On the flip side of that number, they took in 722 cats in 2024. Cameron admits that in the ideal world, you’d see as many cats going out the doors as come in. The reality is that the rising costs of pet care are leading more people to surrender their cats to the shelter. This, Cameron notes, is particularly true for cats that fall ill with an expensive-to-treat malady. She’d love to see a low-cost vet clinic in the area for people who have financial issues.
High costs place one more barrier to spaying and neutering, practices which prevent feline population explosions, particularly among stray cats or cats who are allowed outdoor time. Cameron is expecting spring to bring the usual surge in kittens and pregnant females. That’s a concern, because the rescue facility is already bulging at the seams.
Purrfect Companions relies on fundraising and donations. They apply for grants where they can, do publicity events and online auctions, and have fundraising events and a fundraising committee. When unexpected costs crop up, like a recent high vet bill for a new intake, Cameron gets the word out on the Purrfect Companions’ Facebook page. She’s been astounded by the generosity from the community in support of the organization, for which she is deeply appreciative.
The facility is run with the aid of volunteers. Helpers willing to work cleaning shifts, which take place in mornings and evenings, are desperately needed. Purrfect Companions could also use more drivers to chauffeur cats to vet appointments. Volunteer application forms are available on the Purrfect Companions website, as is information about adoptions and fostering.
Like many local volunteer organizations, Purrfect Companions operates quietly in the background, fulfilling a compassionate mission by improving the quality of life for Norfolk’s felines. Seeing the comfort with which the feline residents loll on their bedding, one can’t help but think the effort is appreciated.
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