Veteran and scrap metal collector Willie Ortiz, 76, is from Hartford, Connecticut. He hasn’t missed a single day in 22 years of providing food to stray cats in his neighborhood.
He still goes out and collects scrap metal to pay for the food and cat supplies despite the rain, snow, or bitter cold. In order to prevent the stray population from getting out of hand, Willie takes care of them by feeding them every evening and spaying and neutering them.
He started feeding for the stray cats after he saw people ignoring a hungry kitten begging for food. “People were pushing it away, and I could see it needed help,” Willie said. “I know these cats can’t understand my accent, but I need to do something.” From that day, he decided that caring for stray cats was his life’s mission.
Every morning Willie drives around collecting scraps to sell, and every evening he leaves his home with tins of sardines and cat food, feeds the cats, and checks on their health. The cats that he cares for are very healthy and well fed.
Willie not only provides daily cat food but also tends to wounded or unwell animals, bringing them in for the necessary medical attention. Willie claims that even though his profession is highly challenging, it is his life and the reason he is genuinely happy. For as long as he can, Willie promises to keep feeding the cats.
In order to assist Willie in purchasing extra food for the cats, Kathleen Schlentz set up a GoFundMe campaign the previous year. It’s hardly surprise that it exceeded its goal, but you may still contribute to this cause. We hope that supporters of Willie’s cause will continue to give.
“Presently he feeds 16 colonies of stray and feral cats, a total of 68 cats, every night, 365 days a year and has never missed a night in 22 years,” Kathleen Schlentz said via GoFundMe. “He makes sure they get what they need to have as good a life as possible.”
The world needs more people like Willie – people whose daily good deeds are making the world a little better. However, not everyone understands his decision.
“People ask me why I feed them every day, or tell me I feed them too much,” Ortiz said. “You eat every day, no? You get three meals; they eat once every 24 hours.”
