August 2026 Newsletter
Table of Contents
Adoption Story: From Fresh Start to Favorite Spot
When Poohbear first came to Centerville Pet Rescue, she had already experienced a difficult chapter. After losing her home because of an eviction, this quiet four-year-old black cat was looking for something simple: a peaceful place to feel safe again.
It turns out she found exactly that—and so did Mae and Rakee DaSilva.
Now known as Taro Boba DaSilva (TBD), she has settled into her new home with remarkable confidence. Within just two days, she was exploring every room, eating well, using her litter box, and happily playing with her new toys. Before long, she had claimed two favorite windows for birdwatching, discovered the joy of racing through the house with surprise zoomies, and proven that yes, some cats really do love cat beds.
Her new family has happily embraced their role as devoted admirers. Mae shared:
“I truly just spent the entire first day going, ‘This is all yours! This is your house, we just live here!’ Every time she would chin-mark something, I’d tell her, ‘Yep, that’s your coffee table…that’s your couch!’ I’m sure I’ve given her a diva complex.”
Like any cat with a mind of her own, Taro has her quirks. She politely declined an automatic litter box, ignored several cardboard scratchers, and decided the carefully assembled cat tower wasn’t nearly as interesting as scratching the ottoman sitting right in front of it. The tower may have taken two hours to build—but Taro clearly had other decorating ideas.
What she has embraced is the love surrounding her. Whether she’s curled up in her favorite window bed, chasing toy balls across the floor, or supervising her humans with her signature blend of sweetness and mischief, she’s become the heart of the household.
For Mae, the adoption has meant even more than finding a wonderful companion. Hoping a gentle cat could help ease severe anxiety and depression, she found a friend whose quiet presence has made a meaningful difference every day.
“We were looking for a sweet little black cat to help with my severe anxiety and major depression, and man is she doing just that.”
The DaSilvas summed it up best: Taro is
“the perfect mix of caring and chaotic,” and they “worship the ground she walks on.”
Stories like Taro’s remind us that adoption isn’t simply about finding a home—it’s about finding the people who celebrate every little quirk, every unexpected zoomie, and every nap in a favorite sunny window. For one resilient black cat and the family who couldn’t imagine life without her, that happy ending was well worth the wait.
1 Year Anniversary Edition
This month marks a special milestone—the first anniversary of the Centerville Pet Chronicle!
One year ago, we set out to create more than just a newsletter. We wanted a way to tell the stories behind the cats, the volunteers, and the incredible community that makes Centerville Pet Rescue possible. Twelve months later, we’ve shared dozens of stories that have celebrated happy endings, highlighted dedicated volunteers, introduced adoptable cats, promoted events, and offered a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into saving lives every day.
Over the past year, we’ve celebrated adoption success stories that remind us why we do what we do. We’ve introduced you to volunteers whose compassion keeps the rescue running, recognized generous supporters, and shared educational articles to help cats thrive in their new homes. Together, we’ve looked back at memorable events, celebrated milestones, and welcomed thousands of readers into the CPR family each month.
Most importantly, this newsletter has become a way to connect all of us—volunteers, adopters, fosters, donors, and supporters—through our shared love of helping cats in need.
Thank you for reading, sharing our stories, attending our events, opening your homes, and believing in our mission. Every issue is made possible because of this amazing community, and every success story begins with people like you.
As we begin our second year of the Centerville Pet Chronicle, we look forward to bringing you even more inspiring stories, volunteer spotlights, rescue updates, and, of course, plenty of adorable cats and kittens.
Here’s to another year of changing lives—one cat, one family, and one story at a time.
Share Your CPR Adoption Success Story!
One of the most popular features in the Centerville Pet Chronicle is our monthly Adoption Success Story—and we’d love to feature more happy endings!
If you’ve adopted a cat from Centerville Pet Rescue, we’d love to hear how they’re doing. Tell us about your cat’s new life, any name changes, funny habits, favorite activities, or how they’ve settled into your family. We’d also love to hear about your adoption experience and what made your new companion so special.
To help us tell your story, please include:
- Several high-resolution photos of your adopted cat enjoying life in their new home
- Photos with other pets or family members are welcome too!
- A short description of your adoption experience and an update on your cat
Please email your story and photos to [email protected].
Because of limited newsletter space, we aren’t able to feature every submission. Stories will be selected based on availability, photo quality, and overall suitability for the newsletter. If your story is selected, a member of our team will contact you before publication.
Thank you for giving a rescue cat a loving forever home—and for helping inspire others to adopt!
Adoptable Cat of the Month: Duck is Waiting for Her Person
Every shelter has that cat who quietly wins hearts without demanding attention. For us, that’s Duck.
At just 2½ years old, Duck has already mastered one important life skill: making people smile. She’s affectionate, delightfully funny, and firmly believes that belly rubs aren’t a trap—they’re one of life’s greatest pleasures. (Yes, really!)
Duck has spent far too much of her young life waiting in a kennel, and it’s starting to show. She’s put on a few extra pounds while waiting for someone to notice her, and she’d love nothing more than a home where she can stretch her legs, chase a toy across the floor, and rediscover her athletic side.
Her future family won’t need perfection—they’ll simply need room in their hearts for a cat who’s ready to blossom.
Duck does have a sensitive stomach, so she eats a special diet that keeps her feeling her best. Beyond that, she’s a healthy, happy girl whose biggest wish is to trade kennel life for a sunny window, a soft bed, and people to call her own.
One look into those bright eyes and it’s easy to imagine the companion she’ll become: greeting you after work, rolling over for another tummy rub, supervising your daily routine, and reminding you that the best moments in life are often the simplest ones.
Some cats wait because they’re shy. Some wait because they’re overlooked. Duck is waiting because the right person just hasn’t found her yet. Maybe that’s you!
Volunteer Profile: Cheryl & Henry Hess
This month we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Cheryl and Henry Hess, a true triple threat at Centerville Pet Rescue! Whether they’re feeding and cleaning, fostering kittens, or opening the adoption room for visitors, this husband-and-wife team is always ready to lend a hand wherever they’re needed.
At home, their love of animals continues with their two dogs, Apollo and Tyler, and their five cats, Ziggy, Willow, Penny, Ace, and Ozzy—a fitting family for two people so devoted to giving animals a second chance.
What first got you interested in helping rescue cats?
Cheryl has been helping cats since she was young by feeding neighborhood strays, trapping cats in need, and welcoming many into her family. As they found themselves with more free time, she decided to start fostering—and Henry happily came along for the ride!
What’s your favorite part about volunteering at CPR?
“Playing with the cats, of course!” They also enjoy jumping in wherever they’re needed and being part of such a dedicated team.
Can you share a favorite or funny memory with a foster cat?
They can’t help but smile when foster kittens get the zoomies. There’s nothing quite like the pitter-patter of tiny paws racing through the house!
Do you have a favorite job at the rescue?
Their favorite place to volunteer is the adoption room, where they love spending time with the cats while helping visitors find their perfect companion.
What’s the most rewarding part of helping cats find homes?
For Cheryl and Henry, it’s seeing the joy in the eyes of both the adopters and the cats when the right match is made. Those happy endings make every moment worthwhile.
If you could describe volunteering at CPR in just three words?
Joy. Crazy. Love.
Thank you, Cheryl and Henry, for sharing your time, your home, and your hearts with the cats of Centerville Pet Rescue. From fostering kittens to welcoming adopters and caring for our cats every week, your dedication makes an incredible difference. We are so grateful to have you as part of the CPR family!
Community Support in Action
Sometimes it’s the behind-the-scenes acts of kindness that make all the difference.
Recently, Centerville Pet Rescue received a generous donation of much-needed supplies from a donor who has chosen to remain anonymous. Getting those supplies from point A to point B, however, required something we didn’t have—a vehicle large enough to transport everything.
That’s where That Fish Place–That Pet Place stepped in.
They generously loaned us one of their vans so we could pick up the donation and bring these much-needed supplies back to the rescue. Their willingness to help made the entire process possible, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support of our mission.
It takes a community of compassionate people and businesses working together to care for homeless cats. Acts of generosity—both large and small—allow us to focus our resources where they’re needed most: providing food, medical care, and a safe place for cats until they find loving homes.
To everyone who quietly lends a hand behind the scenes, thank you. Your kindness makes a real difference.
CPR Visits WGAL's Paws & Pals
Centerville Pet Rescue was thrilled to return to WGAL 8’s Paws & Pals in July, where volunteers joined Regina Ahn to introduce viewers to five adorable kittens looking for forever homes.
The spotlight was on Indie, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Soul—3-month-old brothers and sisters who were found together in New Holland. Full of personality and playful energy, the litter charmed everyone in the studio, especially Indie, who is missing one eye. Her disability certainly doesn’t hold her back—she’s affectionate, active, and fiercely independent, proving that special-needs pets make extraordinary companions.
In addition to featuring these wonderful kittens, the segment also highlighted the importance of watching for signs of heat stress in cats during the summer months. We encouraged viewers to be mindful not only of their own pets but also of stray and community cats that may be struggling in extreme temperatures and to contact a local rescue or animal welfare organization if they encounter an animal in distress.
We’re grateful to Regina Ahn and the entire WGAL team for continuing to support local rescue organizations and helping homeless cats reach thousands of potential adopters throughout our community. Every television appearance raises awareness, promotes responsible pet care, and gives deserving cats like Indie, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Soul a better chance at finding the loving homes they deserve.
July Adopter Gallery
