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New Rescue Group Helps Older Cats in Need B Y C AT R I N A C OY L E M argaret Salby worked at the SPCA for Monterey County for more than two years before she followed her dream of helping older cats from animal shelters by starting Golden Oldies Cat Rescue. "It was in my heart to just do it," says Salby. "It was hard to see so many older cats come into the SPCA and know they probably wouldn't make it out. My incentive was Fluffy, an 11-year- old orange cat. He was a great cat but due to his age, it would be hard for him to get adopted." Salby pulled together several cat lovers and SPCA volunteers to form the nonprofit last June. The greatest challenge to continuing suc- cess now, she says, is finding foster homes for the cats in need, which come from local shelters and a few owner-surrenders. "Animals trust us, and look at us for help, and you just want to save them from being aban- doned," Salby says. She hopes seniors and mili- tary families might be good candidates as foster homes. "I have four cats myself," she says, "and luckily they get along with other cats so I have fostered too." Golden Oldies is working on having rescue events this winter and bringing awareness to older cat adoption. To volunteer to foster cats, call 831/200-9700 or search Facebook for "Golden Oldies Cat Rescue." Visit www.gocatrescue.org for more information on the organization. SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK Two Golden Oldies Cat Rescue foster homes recently became happy adopters, and founder Margaret Salby is looking for new volunteers. 80 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 6 Photo: Kelli Uldall