Couple Bought An Old Farmhouse And Quickly Discovered It Came With 15 Cats
When Emily Bott and Dylan Loewke went to look at an old farmhouse they were interested in buying, they immediately noticed that there seemed to be a lot of cats on the property—fifteen cats, actually, just casually chilling in the front yard.
The cats piqued the couple's interest right away. "We asked our realtor if the cats were going to be left behind, and we were told that they would all be gone by the time we moved in," Emily said.
"Once our offer on the house was accepted, my boyfriend took it upon himself to request that the cats stay on the property," Emily explained. "I was apprehensive at first, only because I had never owned a cat before."
Emily had a backup plan just in case things didn't go well. "However, at the time, I worked at the local humane society and knew that, at the very least, I could get them all spayed/neutered and even rehome them if absolutely necessary (spoiler: it was never necessary)," she said.
The previous farmhouse owners left some food out for the cats, but that was the only care they received. As a result, none of the cats were spayed or neutered, and several of them had health problems.
Emily and Dylan made sure that all 15 cats received veterinary care and any treatment they needed. Then it was time to start earning the cats' trust.
"In the beginning, there was only one cat that was friendly enough to approach, Valencia," Emily said. "She's our queen bee!"
"I could tell there were a few others that were curious and interested in us, but it took months (and some years) for the others to trust us enough to approach them and even pet them," Emily said. "I spent many nights sitting in my driveway, throwing treats at them, feeding them catnip, and engaging them with toys."
With some hard work and patience, the cats eventually built a bond with their new humans.
Some still don't like being handled, but they trust Emily and Dylan and love them very much.
Each of the cats has a name, and they all have unique personalities.
Emily and Dylan adore them all and wouldn't change their situation for anything.
"I would say living with so many barn cats has been a blessing," Emily said. "Every time I step outside, I'm greeted by them immediately."
Emily and Dylan have gotten used to being followed by at least a few cats everywhere they go around the farmhouse. "There's a couple that will follow me almost everywhere on the property, and all of them will flock to me if I shake the treat bag," Emily said. According to Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, "Pets can significantly enhance our emotional well-being, providing companionship and reducing stress." Dr. Helen Fisher emphasizes the importance of these bonds in our lives.
"I have a whole crew that walks me down the driveway to get my mail. Valencia will even run down the driveway once she spots my car on our street," Emily added. Since purchasing the farmhouse, the couple has adopted an additional cat named Tofey. Emily and Dylan say he has settled into the pack perfectly!
The couple would like to open an animal sanctuary so they can continue to help cats in need. Their inspiration is their incredible family of 16 barn cats. As noted by Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a child psychologist, "Caring for animals can teach compassion and responsibility, making it a valuable experience for families." You can follow Emily and Dylan's journey on Dr. Helen Fisher's professional website. We can't wait to see what the future holds for them!
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