We would never dream of pitting cats and dogs against each other in a metaphorical battle over which one really is the favorite pet, but according to the 2015-2016 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, there are 85.8 million pet cats versus 77.8 million pet dogs living in the U.S. The real answer is, both animals make fantastic companions, each with their own unique personalities and attributes that make them great pets for different people. Unfortunately, as much as America loves cats, it seems that we just can’t get it right when it comes to the treatment of feral cats.

Feral cats are free-roaming, outdoor cats that are made up of a mix of kitties who have been lost or abandoned and ones who have lived their entire lives outdoors. As animal lovers, it’s tough to see these cats, who aren’t so different from our housecats, take shelter from the rain and snow, drink from puddles instead of fresh water, and sometimes, get into conflicts with other feral cats in the area. What’s even tougher is when you learn that people in the neighborhood don’t find these wild and free cats quite as endearing as you do.

But, when one feral cat colony on Coram, Long Island was set to be destroyed by a building superintendent with malicious intentions, Guardians of Rescue stepped up to the plate to give the cats a better life. The risk for the feral cats living around the area of an apartment complex was very real. Their shelters and feeding stations had been destroyed, forcing the cats to take shelter from the cold anywhere they could. Car engines and wheel wells are just two places outdoor and feral cats like to hide when it starts to get chilly. So, Guardians of Rescue sent two men — retired NYPD officer Billy Hale and Guardians of Rescue President and investigator Robert Misseri, to save the feral cats that the landlord and tenants of an apartment building wanted to get rid of.

Former NYPD officer Billy Hale lead negotiations with the superintendent of the apartment complex. Along with Misseri, the duo trapped a total of 11 feral cats.

They then transported all of the cats to a place where they would be safe: Happy Cat Sanctuary, a safe haven for cats from all walks of life. 

These burly men sure don’t fit the stereotype of what most of us would imagine a “cat lover” looks like, but it’s because of them that these cats are safe. 

It took a lot of time and patience to ensure a future for the feral cats, who didn’t understand that Hale and Messini were on their side.

And, more good news — according to Guardians of Rescue, the superintendent who threatened the cats with harm has been removed from their position!

Some might see the presence of feral cats as a nuisance, but like us, these animals are just doing their very best to survive. We’re so glad that these cats were saved and they will be fed and cared for the rest of their lives. If you want to know more about what you can do to help feral cats in your area, check out this article.

To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, the organization that made the rescue possible, visit their official website. To Donate to the cats’ new home, visit the Happy Cat Sanctuary official website.

Lead image source: Guardians of Rescue/Facebook