Wild Blue means something deeply personal to me. I started volunteering just a year ago, and no amount of words could fully capture the impact this organization has had on my life.
Early on, I fostered a kitten named Wyn. A year later, I adopted him. Why did it take a year? To understand that is to understand what Wild Blue does—and why I’m nominating them.
Some might look at Wyn’s journey and see suffering. I see a little kitten who met extraordinary challenges with tenacity, strength, and an unwavering spirit. And beside him, every step of the way, was a community that refused to give up.
At just three days old, Wyn nearly died. With the support of Wild Blue staff and fellow volunteers, we fought for him late into the night. He ended that night in an incubator, receiving oxygen.
At three weeks old, Wyn tested positive for panleukopenia. He survived because Wild Blue supported the treatment that gave him another chance. At five weeks old, he was diagnosed with dry feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Thankfully, he responded well to the treatment Wild Blue provided, but it required 112 days, followed by a post-treatment observation period. During that time, we also discovered that Wyn was incontinent and needed diapers. At eight months old, Wyn relapsed and was diagnosed with wet FIP. He endured another 85 days of treatment, followed by a 12-week observation period.
To say Wyn had a tough start would be an understatement. His perseverance helped carry him through, but Wild Blue made it possible for him to keep fighting. Through every illness and diagnosis, every blood draw and X-ray, and every need for specialty care, they supported him—not only financially, but with encouragement, prayers, and love. At every routine veterinary visit and every emergency, Wyn had people advocating for him. Even when hope felt scarce, Wild Blue kept looking for a way forward. Wyn’s journey toward good health has been far from perfect, and he continues to face challenges along the way. To this day, Wyn continues to battle chronic constipation and megacolon, but his playful spirit and affectionate heart remain unchanged.
Wyn is an extraordinary cat—playful, clever, a little mischievous, and incredibly affectionate. He is social and easygoing, getting along peacefully with my other cat and dogs. After everything he has faced, he still greets life with curiosity and love. Wyn is truly special.
Wild Blue’s dedication reflects their belief that every cat and kitten deserves a fighting chance. No cat is less worthy because their needs are complicated. No life is overlooked. Whether a cat’s journey leads to a forever home or to the comfort of foster hospice care, Wild Blue works to ensure they know warmth, safety, and love.
Wyn’s story is deeply personal to me, but he is just one of the countless cats and kittens Wild Blue has helped in our community through their foster program, cat sanctuary, TNR program, Critical Care Unit, Maya’s Village for geriatric feral cats, Bilbos Barn Buddies barn cat program, and, of course, Kaylene’s Kradle. Programs like Maya’s Village and Kaylene’s Kradle make Wild Blue truly unique, offering specialized care to cats and kittens whose needs might otherwise go unmet.
I’m nominating Wild Blue because I’ve witnessed what their commitment means. They are a one-of-a-kind, no-kill shelter willing to give cats and kittens the time, effort, and individualized care they deserve—even when the road ahead is uncertain.
Wyn is alive and home with me today because he kept fighting—and Wild Blue kept fighting with him.