Thundering Paws finds forever homes for cats

If you go into Tomlinson’s Feed store in Belterra Village on Thursday nights, you’ll see a room to your left, where a few little girls are reading to two small cats. That is exactly the kind of activity that Thundering Paws, the non-profit that houses the cats at Tomlinson’s, wants to encourage. 

Thundering Paws, founded in 2001, is a non-profit grounded in the belief that all animals should have a sanctuary and a safe place, no matter their background. 

“I moved into a new house, and cats just started coming up the driveway,” said director Anne Zabolio.   Zabolio started the organization when neighbors started asking for help with strays and abandoned cats.   “I had always wanted to start a sanctuary, and my friends formed a board of directors.  It fell together perfectly!” said Zabolio. 

Thundering Paws places an emphasis on cats who were homeless, neglected, or abused. These cats often lack the qualifications of being indoor family cats, which is why Thundering Paws gives them vaccinations, spays and neuters them, and even potty-trains them. 

These cats also may lack experience with humans, or even with other cats, which is where the cat adoption centers at Tomlinson’s and Petsmart come in. Here, cats are paired with another cat, allowing them to socialize with each other. And although they are shy the first few days of being housed in these rooms, as people start to come in and play with them, they open up and become warm and cuddly. 

Thundering Paws has many workers and volunteers who keep its sanctuary up and running, but in case that they do reach capacity, they also have a network of foster families they place cats in. These cats benefit from the firsthand experience of an enriching home life.   Thundering Paws also houses dogs in its foster network, further expanding their impact on all animals’ lives.

In 2018, Thundering Paws rehabilitated 160 neglected or abused animals. Of that number, 151 found forever homes. At a 94% success rate, it is safe to say that they are reaching their goal of helping all animals live a happy and healthy life. 

 To contact Thundering Paws, please email [email protected], or call 512/402-9725. To donate, visit their website at www.thunderingpaws.org, or send a check to P.O. Box 1555, Dripping Springs, TX 78620.  They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, and all donations are tax deductible.