About our founder, Jeanne Bones
In 1982, Jeanne Bones decided to help some cats in need. At that time, she didn’t realize how many more so desperately needed help. Today, she has “cat friendly” buildings on several acres of property at the Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary in Chesterland (in western Geauga County). The sanctuary is a non-profit institution (along with foster homes) which provides loving care for more than 80 cats, many of whom were rescued from situations of neglect, abuse or abandonment.
Our Mission is to provide loving, life-long care and support to abandoned, neglected, abused and orphaned cats, regardless of age or physical infirmity.
Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary founder/director Jeanne Bones, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2015 due to heart failure.
At the time of her passing, Jeanne was doing what she loved most, caring for her beloved felines at the sanctuary. Her family will hold a memorial event at the sanctuary in Spring 2016. Details will follow when a specific date and time are finalized. Jeanne’s family and Happy Tails volunteers are continuing to care for the cats at the facility. At this time, the sanctuary can’t accommodate any additional cats.
The cat sanctuary — which is mostly cageless and no-kill — still needs donations of cat food, kitty litter, and cleaning supplies. Financial contributions would also be greatly appreciated to pay for increased utility costs, snow plowing, etc. during the winter months (as well as for veterinary bills and cat care in general). Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 581, Chesterland, OH 44026. Donations can also be sent via PayPal (which can also be accessed on our website).
Interested potential adopters or volunteers can call Doreen at 440-759-0076 to schedule an appointment to go to the sanctuary.
Accompanying this posting are photos of Jeanne with the late TV-8 meteorologist and animal welfare advocate Dick Goddard, who made guest appearances at the two Happy Tails fund raisers; and Jeanne holding a cat in the sanctuary’s Adoptable Cats Building. There is also a “split screen” showing Jeanne when she was a young woman as well as a later in her life photo of her. We will always love and miss you very much, Jeanne!
