Small Miracles Cat Rescue: 'Everyone Gets a Home Here'

He is a white cat with orange spots that Ellicott City resident Moria Liskovec named Apple Dumpling.

Liskovec, who runs the Small Miracles Cat Rescue, a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter, found Apple, with a broken leg, in a cage at another rescue center.

Liskovec quickly brought the cat to her own shelter and raised the $2,000 needed for Apple to have surgery to save the leg, which had set in the wrong position. For the next 12 weeks, Apple, with its leg in a cast, recuperated at Liskovec's shelter.

With his affectionate demeanor, Apple Dumpling quickly became a favorite among shelter volunteers and Liskovec herself.  Once healed, Apple took to taking naps on Liskovec's desk every afternoon.

But soon, like many of the other animals at Liskovec's shelter, Apple attracted the attention of a family looking to adopt a pet. Now, Apple's picture -- with him in his new home -- sits in a frame above Liskovec's desk.

Averaging 15-25 adoptions a week, the shelter recently placed its 3,500th cat since it started in early 2006.

It all started for Liskovec when she worked at a vet's office in 1992 and a resident brought in a pregnant cat to be euthanized, and the vet complied.

"That's what changed my life," said Liskovec. "At that point I realized I had to do something to help cats."

She left that job and spent the next 10 years working at Bethany Centennial Animal Hospital, but she wanted to do more specifically for felines. She founded Small Miracles at her Ellicott City home, taking in strays, socializing them, caring for them and eventually adopting them out.

For the first two and a half yars she kept the cats in her basement and she offered cats for adoption at the Ellicott City Petco in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, as well as the Columbia Petco.

In late 2008, Liskovec's husband suggested that she expand and find a building. In early 2009, she opened Small Miracles Cat Rescue on Route 40, west of Bethany Lane.

The cats that arrive at Liskovec's shelter come from a variety of sources. Some are homeless and found on the street, mainly in Baltimore City. Others are given up by owners for various reasons, ranging from financial to allergies. She also has rescued cats that were about to be euthanized at the kill shelter in Baltimore.

Liskovec has taken in a wide variety of cats over the last four years, from pure breeds to ones with special needs

"We have had blind cats here and ones with other handicaps," she said. "There was one cat who couldn't walk on her front feet. She walked on her elbows. We named her 'Smartie'. She went to a family with a special needs child.

"Everyone gets a home here. Nobody is euthanized."

Some cats are adopted the same day they become available, while for others it takes months or longer. Skipper, a 4-year old congenial white cat with brown and black patches, has been at the shelter the longest, since March 2009.

All cats at Small Miracles undergo a physical exam upon arrival, are spayed or neutered and given the needed shots applicable for their age. The adoption fee is $135 for one cat or $250 for two.

To be eligible, prospective adopters must agree to keep the cat indoors and pledge they have never given up a cat to a shelter before.

Liskovec is hands-on with all aspects of the shelter.

"A typical day will find me doing a range of tasks, from answering phone calls to cleaning cages to talking with people who stop by looking to adopt," she  said.

She has 25 volunteers who do everything from cleaning cages to giving tours of the building to prospective cat owners.

One of her longest running volunteers is Rebekah Handshu, a thirty-five year resident of Ellicott City who sometimes houses cats until they are ready for adoption.

Cats with kittens are often placed in foster care with their babies until the kittens are eight weeks old and weigh 2 pounds -- the requirement for being allowed to be adopted.

"I enjoy being around the cats," said Handshu. "I like it when I see one turn around from being not so sociable at first to friendly and loving. Cats give so much and they want so little in return. They just want you to love them."

Liskovec said residents are invited to get involved in Small Miracles' mission.

"We can always use people to help with adoptions and cleaning at the shelter," she said. " Whether they can give an evening a week or three or four hours a month, anything is appreciated.

"We also need foster homes that can take in mother cats and their babies so they can be weaned until they are ready to come to the shelter," said Liskovec.

The shelter also depends on direct donations for medical procedures and other needs.

"All days are happy days here when we see a cat leave the building and be adopted by a wonderful family," Liskovec said.

Small Miracles Cat Rescue is located at 10236 Baltimore National Pike. The shelter's phone number is 410-461-0516. Liskovec can be contacted with questions at 410-274-3530. The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.