This 75-Year-Old Man Raised $28,000 To Care For Stray Cats In Hartford, Connecticut
This 75-Year-Old Man Raised $28,000 To Care For Stray Cats In Hartford, Connecticut
Willie Ortiz, a senior citizen living in Hartford, Connecticut, has dedicated his life to caring for the city's stray cats. When his GoFundMe for the animals went viral, he raised more money than he could have possibly imagined. Find out more here!
Willie Ortiz, a senior citizen living in Hartford, Connecticut, has dedicated his life to caring for the city's stray cats. When his GoFundMe for the animals went viral, he raised more money than he could have possibly imagined. Find out more here!
Every evening for the last 21 years, 75-year-old Willie Ortiz goes around the city of Hartford, Connecticut, feeding stray cats, and gathering the ones who need neutering or spaying to take them to a vet and help keep stray population sizes down. But unable to care for all the cats of the city fully on his own, last year, Ortiz's friend, Kathleen Schlentz, helped him set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the stray cats of Hartford.
At first, it seemed like they would never reach their goal of $5000, but then a donor offered to post the GoFundMe page on Reddit, and almost overnight, the post went viral and money began pouring in from all over the world.
I thought it was a mistake at first; I had never seen anything in my life like that. When I called Willie to tell him, he was practically in tears.
Kathleen Schlentz
Hartford Courant, April 24, 2017
Now, they have raised nearly $28,500, more than five times their initial goal. Ortiz found himself in equal disbelief with Schlentz when she told him how much money they had raised.
I just couldn't believe it. It's wonderful that so many people care so much about the animals.
Willie Ortiz
Hartford Courant, April 24, 2017
Now, Ortiz is planning to use part of the money to buy a new truck. (His current truck breaks down often, and he uses it to haul scrap metal which funds his work with the cats.) He will also set aside some of the money in a savings account to be used on the cats' behalf after his death, and the rest, of course will go toward buying the cats of Hartford all the food they need and all the medical attention they deserve. Ortiz now hopes to leave a legacy of feline affection.
I do this because I love it. This is gonna help me keep doing it until I die, and maybe keep it alive after that.
Willie Ortiz
Hartford Courant, April 24, 2017
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