Our Story, as told by our Founder, Cathy Campbell
Cathy's Cat Tale
During Christmas break of 1999, my mom and I watched a program on Scottish Fold cats. We both thought it would be a great breed of cat to have, but knew they were expensive and very rare.
In January 2000, while I was a veterinary technician student at Colorado Mountain College, a cat named Duncan was dropped at our student clinic because his people thought he was too old.
I could not believe that people would do that to their companion animal, and a Scottish Fold to boot! I adopted him right then and there, and we were a family from then on.
We both graduated from Colorado Mountain College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology in May of 2000. He went everywhere with me. We went through a lot of good and bad times, but always together.
Duncan and Harry
After moving back to Loveland, I worked at animal emergency hospitals and did relief work at general practices; that is how Duncan's little brother Harry joined our little family in October of 2001.
I witnessed many horrific animal tragedies in my work life, along with some of the very best acts of kindness, but always wondered why there was no safety net for pets. I always gathered and found resources for the few rescue organizations that were out there, but always dreamed of starting my own place.
I went back to college to finish the bachelor's degree that I'd started years ago, to take a break form veterinary medicine, and to find other ways to help animals in learning more about humans.
In December 2006, I graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Human Development & Family Studies. With the love and support of my little cat family and my mom, I explored different non-profit work experiences, and learned what to do and what not to do.
During this time the sweetest kitty ever, Dudley, a ragamuffin who adopted me, and subsequently passed away (euthanized) due to urinary blocking, came into my life. I still miss my Dudders!
During one of my last non-profit experiences before the start of Duncan's Place, I had to euthanize my little Duncan, who was now 20 or so years old. It was a heart wrenching experience for both me and my mom, but I did not want him to suffer and that is what we take on as a pet's guardian. He went into respiratory distress and was unable to breathe. It turns out he had cancer and his lungs were filling up with fluid, so I did right by him in letting him go humanely.
During this painful period, I lost my job, started work on realizing my dream of my own rescue, and found out who were true friends and how truly lucky I am.
The well-named Bonita
Now our little cat family consists of Harry, Bonita, and two of Bonita's babies: Sophie and Nigel. With their help and love, we have nursed, loved, and taught both people and kitties essential life lessons, especially the love part!
So this is how Duncan's Place has come into being. And with a lot of help from my friends, volunteers, and supporters, we can accomplish a lot more in helping kitties and people!
Help Duncan's Place Today!
