50 cats, but they expect to foster at least 90 before the end of this year. A stationary RV on a nearby farm now serves as an intake center for assessing the health and personality of each cat, but the team hopes someday to have a permanent facility, such as a storefront or a house.
For now they work within their means, which necessitates difficult choices. Poolesville Cats is eager for more fosters and more drivers, but Jones, in her role as treasurer, emphasizes the urgent need for donations.
“ In 2025, 97 percent of our money went to direct animal care,” she says, emphasizing the lives saved by our compassionate Poolesville-area vets.“ Some of our cats only need a spay or neuter and some basic treatment, but others need very expensive procedures. For spaying and neutering, we take the cats to a practice up in Hagerstown that charges only a fraction of the local cost, but there’ s no gas money for volunteers. We want to do the best thing for the cat, which is a great motto, but the money isn’ t always there.”
The need, however, is never ending, and some dedicated Poolesville Cats helpers currently devote 25 to 50 unpaid hours a week to the cause. During the rare moments when they can pause and reflect together on the meaning of their work, members of the team speak thoughtfully about the benefits not only to the cats they help but also to the community as a whole. The bonds they witness between pets and people inspire them, and it’ s rewarding when they bring happiness to cats and humans alike.
“ Every rescue organization starts with one person and one cat,” Habib says as she glances knowingly at Richard Garner. He’ s quick to turn the conversation back to Habib and Jones to recognize the countless hours they and other volunteers have spent coordinating with fosters, driving cats to vet appointments, and overseeing the logistical details that make their success stories possible.
“ You can’ t do all of this without good people,” Garner says.“ We’ re blessed. Poolesville is blessed. The cats are blessed.”
Jeff Sypeck is a writer in a Beallsville household with two humans and two cats: Nisha and Piper Newcat. His latest book is a translation of a medieval gardening poem.
It
’ s so easy to“ fall” in love with Montgomery County’ s Ag Reserve!
n Grab your bike or cruise along beautiful country roads and take in the autumn colors! n Stock up with fresh, local fruits and vegetables from fall’ s harvests at one of our farm markets! n Pick-your-own pumpkins for Halloween! n Bring the whole family to a farm fall festival, Oktoberfest or event! n Spend an afternoon and unwind with friends at a farm brewery, cidery or award-winning winery!
With so much to do, what are you waiting for?
For more information: www. montgomerycountymd. gov / agservices