2025-Reflection on a Year of Compassion and Community
- Vicky Sprouse
- Dec 31
- 8 min read
🤍2025: Powered by community, strengthened by teamwork, and made meaningful through every life we touched.🤍
2025 was a year of hard choices and heavy hearts- a constant tension between what was possible and what was needed. Together, we kept showing up. We kept caring and changing lives in the communities we served.
With your help, more than 230 cats came through our doors to receive medical care, rehab, socialization, and a safe place to land. 256 cats found their happily-ever-afters with wonderful, loving families to call their own!
2025 arrived carrying its own weight. An unsteady economy, rising costs, and shrinking access to spay and neuter services have made the work heavier than ever. In too many of the communities we service, sterilization has slowed or stopped altogether. With that, the numbers of outdoor community cats continues to rise. Feeders are stretched. The need feels endless.
Every day, we find ourselves standing in the space between what is needed and what we are able to give. We are limited by funding, by space, by time and by the very human truth that we cannot do everything. It is a constant balancing act between extending ourselves with compassion and offering ourselves grace. We want to save them all, but we are learning to accept that we cannot.
The animal welfare crisis is real, and so is the emotional weight of it.
We are deeply grateful for our village: the volunteers, fosters, donors, adopters, and supporters who continue to believe in us, to stand beside us, and to carry the mission forward with us.
The number of cats we are able to physically take in has decreased as resources have dwindled. We cannot save them all. But the ones we do save have lives that are transformed. They move from survival to safety, from uncertainty to comfort, from fear to love. That matters. That always matters.
2025 has become a year of understanding. Of pride in what we are able to do. Of gratitude for this community we have built together. Of friendships formed through shared purpose and long days. Of joy found not just in the outcomes, but in the act of showing up together- again and again.
🤍2025 Our Team Grew in Strength and Numbers🤍
This year has been a year of growth - in strength, in numbers, and in heart. We've welcomed new fosters, adoption center volunteers, and transporters into our community, while so many of our existing team members have stepped forward, learned new skills, and deepened their knowledge of animal welfare.
They have risen to every challenge with compassion and courage. Without their love and dedication we would not be able to reach the cats who need us the most. Together, we are stronger than ever.
Our foster families provide these adorable kitties with a loving and secure environment as they await their permanent homes.
🤍Volunteer Spotlights🤍
Our volunteers are truly the heart of EBCP. Their generosity of time, energy and care makes everything we do possible. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of them, and today we're especially thankful to shine a light on two incredible women who continually go above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many cats and the people who love them. From taking on leadership roles, to stepping in to help other team members at the drop of a hat, to learning new skills and going above and beyond- they are truly an inspiration to all.
My family and I began volunteering with Euclid Beach Cat Project by caring for cats at the Brunswick Pet Supplies Plus adoption center. It started as a meaningful opportunity for my daughter and a way for me to give back and help make the world a little better.
Not long after we committed to volunteering, our involvement naturally grew into rescuing and fostering cats and kittens. What began with very little knowledge has turned into years of hands-on experience and ongoing learning in animal care.
Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to witness the joy of kittens finding their forever homes, as well as the heartbreak of loss — experiencing every side of rescue work. It has been a challenging, emotional, and deeply rewarding journey.
Our entire family has been involved, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community and to play a small role in helping animals in need.
From Left: First Foster, First Rescue Mission, First Mom and Litter
I’ve been part of the Euclid Beach Cat Project family since 2017, with a short break in between to care for some loved ones. Today, I wear many hats — I foster, help at events, team lead at our Willowick Pet Supplies Plus adoption center, transport cats, and help send them off to their forever homes.
My favorite part of fostering is caring for special-needs and medical cases — and I absolutely love bottle babies. Watching them grow from tiny, fragile little beings into confident, thriving cats is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced.
I live in Willowick with my husband, Jose, who very patiently supports my “crazy cat lady” lifestyle. I also volunteer with Sophia’s Grace Foundation, a small dog rescue, and I have a special place in my heart for senior animals.
I’ve been involved in animal rescue for about 15 years now, and while it certainly comes with its share of heartbreak, the friendships, the community, and the happy endings make it all worth it.
From Left: First Bottle Babies, Purrito Feeding Time, Mornings- Coffee & Kittens
🤍Euclid Beach Cat Project Board Of Directors🤍
EBCP is committed to building and growing. Not only outwardly in our impact, but inwardly in our leadership and structure. We believe tha a strong, diverse Board of Directors is essential to thoughtful decision-making, responsible stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
We strive to build a board made up of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. This diversity strengthens our strategic vision, enhances transparency for our donors and community, and allows for more comprehensive and informed decisions about how resources are allocated and how we can best service the cats and communities that rely on us.
Our love for cats motivates us to continually learn, grow, and evolve so we can create the greatest possible impact. Together we are changing the world, one heartbeat at a time!
We are currently seeking passionate motivated individuals to join our Board of Directors. Board members play a vital role in guiding the organization's direction, strengthening its stability, and supporting its mission.
Ideal candidates:
Deeply committed to animal welfare and EBCP's mission
Are willing to take on a leadership roles
Are organized, reliable and able to follow through on responsibilities timely
Are comfortable working collaboratively and, when appropriate, leading committees and delegating tasks effectively
Have experience in animal welfare, nonprofit work, or relevant professional fields (preferred, not required)
We are currently filling these board positions:
Please click to see descriptions
🤍Come Visit Our Cats At Our Adoption Centers🤍
When cats first come through our doors they spend time in loving homes while they receive medical care and socialization. Once they are ready to find families of their own, many of them spend time in our adoption centers meeting potential adopters.
Two hearts, one home- bonded cats bring double the love and lifelong comfort 🐾💞
Available For Adoption
From Top Left: Bowie and Sissy (1.5 years old), Miley and Billie Ray Cyrus (10 months old), Snoopy and Quartz (2.5 years old)
From Bottom Left: Verse and Pitch (1 year old), Dory and Deb ( 9 months old)
Make a difference in the life of a rescue. Adoption Application
🤍Special Care For Special Kitties🤍
In 2025, we have continued to welcome a significant number of special-needs cats into our care. Life on the streets is incredibly hard, and many of these cats have already faced tremendous challenges before they ever reach us. Some were born with genetic conditions that limit them from the start, even before factoring in the environmental stress, lack of medical care, and trauma of living outdoors.
We are only able to provide the level of specialized care these cats need because of our village. Our supporters, donors, and volunteers make it possible for us to pursue advanced diagnostics, specialty care, and ongoing treatments, so these cats have the chance at comfort, stability, and a full life.
As we close out the year, we currently have two cats who require new patient cardiology consultations and echocardiograms. Both have significant heart murmurs (4/6) and while we are still learning what their long-term needs may be, we are grateful that we are able to get them the care they need. We also have four cats who require ongoing cardiology rechecks throughout the year to remain stable.
We have four cats currently scheduled for dental cleanings and major extractions and two more that will need dentals in the near future. Once they recover from these procedures their total body health will significantly improve.
We also support a number of cats who require prescription (or specialty) diets and ongoing care for skin and GI sensitivities. This can have a lasting effect from difficult lives they experienced before coming into our care.
Please meet a few of this year's special kitties:
Cardio Cats
Top Left to Right: Jalapeno, Cookie Monster, Peahen
Bottom Left to Right: Nick, Baby Spice, Butterscoth
Dental Cats
From Left to Right: George, Boogie, Dellwood, Sweet Potato
🤍Together We Can - Lets Find Muzby A Home🤍
Muzby- a seven-year-old female cat who came to us a little over a year ago in rough shape. Her fur was matted, she wasn’t feeling well, and her bloodwork showed that her body needed a lot of TLC. With time, proper nutrition, and the safety of a stable environment, Muzby began to heal — and each vet visit brought better and better news. Her bloodwork steadily improved, her kidney function returned to normal, and now her veterinary team says she is healthy and ready to find her forever home.
And oh… this girl is so deserving.
Her little resting-grumpy face (RBF) is absolutely adorable, and she is one of our volunteer favorites. Muzby is sweet, snuggly, and once she gets to know you, she pours her whole heart into you.
Jena, one of her caregivers, says it best:
“Muzby is the sweetest little old lady. All she wants is love — and to give it right back. She adores being held, happily makes biscuits, and will shower you with gentle headbutts while purring nonstop. Muzby is a calm, easy-going girl who would thrive in a quiet home where she can soak up all the affection she deserves.”
Muzby has come so far, and now she’s ready for the one thing she’s been waiting for all along — a loving home of her own. 💛
🤍We Need You More Than Ever🤍
Even with hundreds of adoptions this year, we face the daily heartbreak of turning away cats and kittens in need due to lack of space and funds. We hope to count on your continued support in 2025. Our need for supplies like food, litter and vaccines, along with funds to cover medical procedures, remains greater than ever.
🤍How Can You Help?🤍
Help us tell our story
Connect with us and like and share our social media posts. Raising our profile keeps us on people’s minds when they want to adopt or know someone who does. Follow Us
Volunteer
Want to hang out with our cats? Volunteer to feed and socialize them at adoption locations, events, transporting, and as a foster while they await their forever homes. Want to help TNR, transport, or provide recovery space after surgeries? We’d love to add you to our TNR Division! Join Our Team
Donate
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer group, we rely on donations. Your financial support, of any amount, means the world to our cats. One hundred percent of every dollar is used for the cats in our care. Ask your employer if it has a matching gift program to maximize your contribution. Ways To Donate
Everyone deserves their happily ever after. Somewhere outside is a cat that desperately needs us. With your help, we can find it, love it, and give it the fairy tale ending it deserves.
Thank you for your support!
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