Snowball appeared in Julie’s yard about a year ago, quietly choosing it as her safe place. A few months later she introduced Julie to her first litter of three kittens: Red Ryder, Turtle Dove, and The 5th Element. A devoted mama, Snowball taught her little family how to survive outdoors and helped them understand the kindness of the human who offered them food every day and shelter from the cold.

In late autumn, Snowball had another litter, this time five kittens. Julie knew she needed to act quickly and bring the kittens indoors to tame them. Next month they are scheduled to come to FCCO where they will join our Kitten Caboose program, where tame kittens are transferred to a local partner shelter to be adopted. It’s a purrfect ending for Snowball’s final litter: Ginger Snap, Plum Pudding, Noel Fruitcake, Smoking Bishop, and Snowflake.

On January 28, 2026, Snowball, her three older kittens, and Rabbit, a stray who found his way to the group, were spayed/neutered and vaccinated. This colony is an example of why accessible, affordable spay/neuter services are essential for the cats living in our neighborhoods. While Snowball is the 150,000th cat, she is also a reminder that impact doesn’t always start big. It can begin in one yard, with one caring person, and one cat brave enough to trust. See photos of Snowball’s first litter, as well as Rabbit, here.