Virginia Deleon and her mother Naomi Gonzalez brought her cats Chichi and Moono in for vaccine updates and flea medications, but this wasn’t their first trip to Emancipet. “I love you guys! I’ve been bringing my pets here since Emancipet first came to Houston.” In fact, Virginia has two other cats and two dogs who have already been to Emancipet.

I love you guys! I’ve been bringing my pets here since Emancipet first came to Houston.

“We never intended to have so many pets. We take in these rescues and we are always foster failures. We just fall in love!” Moono and Chichi were each supposed to be fosters too. Chichi was found as a stray kitten under a truck, and Moono was a feral kitten living behind a grocery store.

Both Virginia and her mom lost a week’s wages in the aftermath of Harvey, and Virginia was worried about getting the cat’s vaccines with resources stretched thin. “When I heard about the free services being offered, I was so grateful. This is such a kind thing to do for our community.