Meet Kelly O’Brien: The Heart Behind Our Foster & Adoption Program

When Kelly O’Brien first saw Cat By Cat Inc. on Facebook nearly four years ago, she had no idea she was about to find her people—and her purpose. Living in Tonawanda and working part-time as a waitress, Kelly noticed a post about a massive trapping project the group had just completed in Batavia. Curious, she reached out. Within days she was talking with director Sally Merritt-Braciak, and soon after, Kelly was volunteering in the Cat by Cat shelter—feeding, watering, cleaning, and offering comfort to cats who had nowhere else to go.

She loved it immediately.

Kelly began helping at adoption events, clicked instantly with Sally, and within a year was asked to step into the role of Foster Coordinator. More recently, she also became Adoption Coordinator—a dual role she has now held for nearly a year.

And along the way? Well… she also became the proud mother of eight cats.

The Special-Needs Cats Who Became Family

When Kelly joined Cat by Cat, she had four cats of her own—Oliver, Pepper, Luna, and Blackie. But over time, four very special shelter cats made their way permanently into her life and home.

Delphia

Delphia was the first. Found with devastating eye infections, this tiny survivor had to have both eyes removed. Kelly understood she might be difficult to place in a forever home, so she adopted her.

“It’s amazing to watch her,” Kelly said. “She whips through the house—dashing from room to room, over and under the furniture like a whirlwind. You’d never know she’s blind.”

Harpua

Harpua came to Cat by Cat with a severe oral infection so advanced that every tooth had to be removed.“He bonded to me instantly,” Kelly said. “And he follows me around like a little puppy.”

Despite having no teeth, Harpua has a huge personality. He was initially a little jealous when Ziggy and his siblings arrived, but that didn’t last long—he quickly became their doting uncle.

“He groomed them, played with them… he was so attentive,” Kelly said. “And then we found out he’s actually related to them! They came from the same location—so he’s possibly a third cousin or something like that.”

Mia

Mia was discovered after someone reported a heartbreaking “Free Kitten in a Box” situation. Terrified and shut down, Mia had learned not to trust humans at all.

“She was incredibly frightened, but I made her love me,” Kelly said with a smile. “She had such a hard time learning to trust. I knew she would struggle in an adoption situation, so I adopted her myself.”

Today?“Mia has turned into a confident little girl. I’m very proud of her.”

Ziggy

Ziggy arrived as a kitten with three siblings. Kelly adored him from the start but fully expected he would be adopted.

“Ziggy is a friggin’ nut,” she said affectionately. A lively, mischievous whirlwind.

When an early adoption didn’t work out, Kelly knew he belonged with her—and with Harpua, who was already deeply invested in grooming and supervising “his” little relatives.

So What Keeps Her Going? “The Cats… and the People.”

“This organization is all volunteers,” Kelly said. “People here put their hearts into everything they do. Working with Sally and Jon has been absolutely wonderful.”

But the cats—especially those coming straight from difficult outdoor situations—are the core of her motivation.

“Just helping these poor little kittens out is so rewarding—being there from the first day, watching them grow, helping them socialize and feel safe.”

What Kelly Does as Foster & Adoption Coordinator

Kelly’s job is equal parts logistics, care coordination, and matchmaking. Among her responsibilities:

• Arranging medical care for newly trapped or found kittens and cats

• Getting them to their foster homes

• Scheduling spay/neuter and immunization appointments

• Supporting foster volunteers with instructions, supplies, and guidance

• Ensuring adult adoptable cats are healthy, fixed, and placed well

• Coordinating Trap-Neuter-Vaccination-Return (TNVR) for community cats—the preferred term for feral outdoor cats

Kelly explains:“Kittens from community-cat colonies can usually be socialized and adopted. Older feral cats almost never adjust to life indoors. We spay or neuter them, immunize them, treat any medical issues, and return them to the place they know as home.”

If a cat or kitten continues to have medical issues after adoption, Cat by Cat continues to cover those veterinary costs.

“It shows how much we care about the cats long-term,” Kelly said.

Advice for New Foster Volunteers

Kelly encourages anyone considering fostering to jump in—with one small but important tip:

“Designate a separate room, especially at the beginning. It makes everything easier for the cat and for you.”

She also emphasizes patience above all:

“Just be there. The cat will be so scared at first. But watching them come out of their shell… that’s the best feeling in the world.”

She adds that young kittens should be adopted in pairs whenever possible: “We never place one kitten by itself if we can help it. They learn from each other and feel safe together.”

Adult cats, however, vary widely—some love companionship, while others prefer a quieter home.

One adult cat in particular is on Kelly’s heart right now: Cecil, a truly special gentleman who has been in the shelter far too long and is more than ready for his forever home. (You'll Cecil’s profile in the newsletter.)

“Cat by Cat Is Amazing. We Always Need More Volunteers.”

Kelly is quick to emphasize how vital community support is:

• Volunteers are always needed

• Fosters are always needed

• Donations—especially for medical bills—are always needed

“Cat by Cat does amazing work,” she said. “And the more people who get involved, the more cats we can help. Volunteering here is SO rewarding.”

Learn more about volunteer opportunities here:https://www.catbycatinc.org/volunteer-opportunities

How You Can Help

Community support keeps Cat by Cat going—from food and litter to emergency medical care. Kelly puts it simply:

“The financial support we receive from the community is everything. It keeps these cats alive and helps Cat by Cat make sure each one gets to live its best possible life.”