FEEDING HILLS – “At the end of her illness, she asked me if I would continue making winter shelters for the cats in her absence. I really wanted to honor her dying wish and said, ‘Of course.’”

Protecting cats from the harsh elements of New England weather was Debra LaBruzzo’s dying wish, and her friend Julia Toomey of Feeding Hills has continued to fulfill it.

The volunteer group began under the name the Homeless Cat Project. The initiative, based out of Springfield, is a group of volunteers who focus on TNR (trap, neuter, return) efforts and building shelters for feral cats. The organization was founded in 1998 when LaBruzzo streamlined her passion for animals. Feral cats are trapped, neutered and then returned back to the outdoors in an attempt to control cat overpopulation. More than 15,000 cats have been serviced through the TNR program. The Springfield MSPCA, Dakin Humane Society, and Veterinarian Dr. Bob Shurtleff of the Eastfield Hospital for Animals have performed low-cost surgeries to help with the project since its inception.  Toomey is thankful for their help with the organization. “We are all so lucky and grateful to have all of them to make a difference in the fight to reduce the feral cat population and to turn to for help for sick and injured feral cats.”

Toomey was mentored by LaBruzzo and began working with her in the late 1980s. Toomey remembers LaBruzzo as a one-of-a-kind animal activist. “Most animal lovers have had the same thoughts and feelings as Debbie, but what separated her from the average person was that she actually acted on those feelings and knew if there was going to be a change, she would have to make it happen herself, and that’s exactly what she did.”

After LaBruzzo’s passing in 2014, the group separated from the name “Homeless Cat Project,” but Toomey and volunteers from Western Massachusetts have continued her vision for the last four years.

Toomey explained that the overpopulation of feral cats is often overlooked. “Not too many people are aware of the overwhelming problem this is, mainly because most feral cats stay hidden. There are hundreds of thousands, not only in our community but all around the world.”

Toomey herself is passionate about the cause. “This is a very sad and problematic issue. It is so important that people do the responsible thing by spaying and neutering their pets. Cats can breed with feral cats and they keep their litters hidden. These kittens are born without shelter, water, food and medical care. It is a very hard life for them, most suffer a lifetime.”

The team builds specially made shelters using an original design by LaBruzzo. The waterproof shelters are designed to endure harsh winter elements. They are made using a Styrofoam box, Gorilla duct tape, straw and mouse pad material. The Styrofoam is taped tightly together. The base of the shelter is filled with the straw because it can get wet without getting moldy. The mouse pad material is used as an emergency exit flap for the back of the shelter. LaBruzzo was dedicated to ensuring that the shelters were built to last and truly protected the cats. If Styrofoam beads fell into the shelter, she would vacuum them to keep the cats from breathing it in. She also provided each person who took a shelter with an information sheet on the proper care and placement of it. The finished shelters are transported from Monson to Toomey’s home in Feeding Hills, where she gives them one final inspection and tapes an instruction sheet to the sides.

Styrofoam is ideal for the shelters due to their size and thickness. They are snug, allowing cats to be protected by body heat. Each shelter can fit up to two cats inside. The team receives the Styrofoam containers donated from a laboratory. Toomey shared, “It was an awesome design, but Debbie just chalked it up as common sense.”

It was important to LaBruzzo to incorporate the cat shelters as part of helping with cat overpopulation. Years later, the group recognizes the importance of making sure shelter is available to the animals. Toomey said, “We have seen a lot of suffering, especially in the frigid winter months. Cats evolved in the Middle East and prefer warmer climates, so winter in New England can be very tough on them. That’s when Debbie decided that she was going to design and make shelters to keep homeless cats warm and out of the elements.”

LaBruzzo dedicated her entire life to her love for animals. She worked as a teacher in the Southwick and Springfield Public School systems until her retirement in 2009. As a teacher, she volunteered after school to teach humane education to younger students. Toomey shared, “It was fascinating how she would use felt cut-outs to tell a story to the children while simultaneously teaching them how to be humane to animals. I watched her do it and I was fascinated by her story even as an adult.” LaBruzzo also volunteered her time to hosting workshops at local schools and libraries, teaching others how to make the uniquely designed shelters utilized by the team. “The children loved it and would have something fun and compassionate to do with their parents.”

After adopting her first puppy, Muppy, in 1977, LaBruzzo became involved in animal rights. She joined Concerned Citizens for Animals, Inc, where she focused on issues such as vivisection, the fur industry, farm animals and abuse. She was focused on the pet overpopulation crisis, the need for spaying and neutering and the need to provide shelter for dogs, which led her to advocate for the building of the first Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control in Chicopee where she started a dog-walking program. In the mid-1990s, LaBruzzo became a founding member of FACES (Friends Assisting Canines with Essential Services) and helped establish New England Animal Action. It was during a meeting with New England Animal Action that LaBruzzo became the coordinator of the Homeless Cat Project based out of Springfield. In 2005, LaBruzzo received the Dr. Gus Thornton Award from the MSPCE. In 2014, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Springfield.

In 2012, LaBruzzo was diagnosed with metastatic esophageal cancer. During her battle with the illness, Toomey explained that helping animals was still the primary thought on her friend’s mind. “At the end when she knew that she was going to lose her battle, all she was worried about were the cats and their wellbeing.”

Toomey set out to make sure LaBruzzo’s mission was carried out. She began reaching out to the Facebook community, looking for others who may share the same concerns as she and LaBruzzo. “It broke my heart ever since I was a kid knowing that these poor cats were outside freezing to death while I was sitting in a nice warm, heated house. I always felt so sad. Not only was it her wish, but it was something that bothered me for years. I knew she didn’t have much time left so right away I went on social media to look for help.”

Toomey was overwhelmed with the result. “I had several responses from people who wanted to help make cold weather shelters for cats. I was thrilled!”

One Monson resident made an offer that changed the way the project would operate in the future. Alan Widlan, who owns Service Connection, contacted Toomey about using his heated business garage for the storing and building of the shelters. He volunteered his folding tables and electric saw to make building the shelters more efficient. Going the extra mile, Widlan also volunteered to transport all of the donated Styrofoam boxes from Springfield to Monson.

Toomey and LaBruzzo were overjoyed. “I couldn’t believe a total stranger was offering all of this help! I told Debbie about him and she was in her glory. She said she had to meet him.”

Nearing the end of her battle with cancer, LaBruzzo remained strong. “She gave Alan a big hug and thanked him for helping to grant her dying wish. It meant so much to her that she could die in peace knowing that there would be some relief for these poor cats in the winter.”

LaBruzzo passed away on December 14, 2014, only about a month after meeting Widlan. He and Toomey went straight to work to fulfill LaBruzzo’s wish. Teaming up with a large group of volunteers, they have six shelter building meet-ups at Service Connection per season. Working on the shelters has not only helped cats, but has been a great experience for Toomey and the volunteers. “We get pizza and have a lot of fun and believe me, time flies by. We’ve met so many nice and caring people over the years.”

Widlan has played a large role in the success of LaBruzzo’s vision. He hosts an annual car show fundraiser to raise money for Second Chance Animal Shelter. As Toomey said, “We are so grateful to Alan and his huge role in this project and all that he does to make this possible. It is a lot!”

Toomey is happy to see the success that has come with continuing the work. “This will be our fifth season making the shelters and we have made over 600 since we started in November 2014, far more than Debbie could have imagined. I get so many requests for these shelters that sometimes we just can’t keep up.”

She is also thankful for the neighbors who have given their time to the effort. “We are so thankful to all the volunteers who have helped us over the past years and new ones to come. I want to thank all of the people who donate to us for materials that we use to build shelters. It would not be possible without everyone involved. I am so happy not only for the cats, but that we were able to grant Debbie her dying wish. We will continue to build the shelters for as long as we can.”

LaBruzzo’s passion for getting up and helping the animal community has inspired Toomey and the group of volunteers, and Toomey hopes that her actions inspires others.  Toomey worked with animals for 30 years, but LaBruzzo had an impact on her personally. “I had so much respect and admiration for her. She was a leader and a mentor. It wasn’t until we met that she showed me that it was possible to do more and that we have the power to make positive change in this world.”

Carrying on LaBruzzo’s legacy helps keep the memory of her selflessness and dedication to animals alive. Toomey shared, “She was a tough woman and never felt sorry for herself or complained. She kept going until the very end. We are keeping her legacy alive with the TNR and the shelters.”

The volunteer group is looking for volunteers to help build the shelters. They are also seeking donations of Styrofoam containers to help keep up with the demand and need. As Toomey shared, “It’s not enough just to feel sorry anymore, if you don’t like something, go out and change it. We have so many resources today and it’s more possible than ever.”