It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kathy Centala, the beloved founder of Purrfect Pals. Kathy passed on August 16th, 2024.
Kathy was born on September 11, 1941, in Alpena, Michigan. An animal lover from a young age, in 1988 Kathy took a look around her community and saw far too many unwanted cats and kittens. The only option for these homeless cats were overcrowded shelters with high euthanasia rates. Her heart went out to abandoned cats, and she determined that no cat should be euthanized because they were unwanted.
Before long, Kathy was accepting stray cats at her home in Brier. Cat lovers heard about her “no-kill” policy and she quickly became “The Mother Teresa of Cats.” Soon dozens of cats became hundreds. Cat lovers volunteered to help care for the cats and raise money to feed them and get them spayed and neutered. She was at the forefront of the no-kill movement and became the face of Purrfect Pals.
For more than 20 years Kathy worked the night shift at the United Airlines Call Center so she would be able to care for the cats during the day, taking them to veterinary appointments and meetings with potential adopters. She made saving cats her life’s work and relied on donations to supplement her income to cover cat care. She sold hot dogs at Mariner’s games, collected donations in exchange for coffee at rest stops and sent handwritten notes to every donor.
In 1993 Purrfect Pals moved to its current location in Arlington, where the organization expanded to become of the nation’s most forward-thinking feline sanctuaries with hundreds of volunteers and a staff of professional employees. With a focus on helping all cats, including elderly and infirm cats and those with FIV, Purrfect Pals became a safe port in the storm for cats with special needs. Here, they could receive medical attention, care, and a place to live until they were adopted, or live at Purrfect Pals their entire lives if adoption wasn’t in the cards. All of this was due to Kathy’s vision and dedication.
Despite her health struggles in recent years, Kathy remained committed to Purrfect Pals and was happiest among the cats and volunteers, supporters, and friends who shared her passion. For Kathy it was always about the work itself and never about her. She lived her last days surrounded by love and friendship, knowing that she touched the lives of thousands of cats and the people who loved them. Her life’s mission continues on, and she was happy that Purrfect Pals is on the cusp of a new expanded medical clinic and other exciting projects to help felines in need. Donations in her memory can be made at https://tinyurl.com/KathysLegacy.
Kathy is survived by her beloved cat Tock and her several siblings, including her sisters, Maxine, Ginny and Patricia.
“We are devastated by the loss of Kathy,” said Carol Lamar, Executive Director of Purrfect Pals. “She was a force to be reckoned with and never took “no” for an answer. That is why we have such an amazing organization today. All that we are today is due to her commitment to cats, and so much of her perspective is built into the very walls of this organization. When I think of my time spent with her, I am reminded that Kathy never liked being the center of attention. She had a wicked sense of humor and was full of sass, and no doubt would tell everyone to stop fussing over her and get back to doing the work – there are cats who need us.”
“Kathy was one of the true giants in animal welfare,” said James Petts, Purrfect Pals Board of Directors Chairperson. “She was caring and compassionate, but tough and unyielding when she needed to be. She boldly followed her own compass when it came to establishing a true cat sanctuary, and ignored those who said it couldn’t be done. Her whole life was dedicated to Purrfect Pals. All of us on the board were in awe of what she accomplished, and we work every day to ensure her vision of saving felines continues.”
