Bar Owner is Lifesaver for Homeless Cats

 Pat, owner of  Doobie's bar, with
kittens Milkface and Stinker

In an unassuming Philadelphia bar, more is happening than drinks being 
served--lives are being saved. All because Pat Brett, the owner of Doobie's bar, has opened up her heart to the plight of homeless cats. Over the years this amazing woman has rescued and made successful adoptions for over 200 homeless cats.

Pat pays most of the veterinarian costs for the kitties she rescues from her own pocket. Rescuing a cat off the street costs her a minimum of $200. A couple months ago, when I spoke to Pat, she had spent $3,400 on medical expenses for Lil' Dink, a FELV+ kitty, who she sadly lost in September to possible Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

"He was such a little love!" Pat said.

Sweet Dink.

Every day, Pat brings her compassion for cats to work. 

She hosted a "Kitten Cocktail Hour" at Doobie's. She brought in 6 kittens from a pregnant mama cat she had rescued. Patrons played with the kittens and 3 of them were adopted.

To bring attention to homeless kitties who are looking for their forever homes, Pat posts information and pictures in the bar of the cats she rescues as well as on Doobie's Facebook page. She also works with PurrFect Paws Rescue, a non-profit group run by Donna Interrante, who as a courtesy allows Pat to show her rescue cats at the Petco in Wynnewood, PA along with their rescues.

Last February, Pat sponsored “Valentines for Felines” to raise money "to help the kitties of the city." The fundraiser included an auction, a raffle and a basket of cheer. And she has featured an event with the craft brewer Flying Fish Beer: "Drink a Fish Save a Kitty."

Pat doesn’t just find loving forever homes for cats, she takes them into her home and cares for them. She presently lives with 6 rescue kitties. She has done many different kinds of rescues including leukemia positive rescues and feral rescues. 

“For most of my life, I did whatever I wanted--traveling, spending money, going to concerts, etc.  I always had cash from tending bar and I spent lots of it.” she said. “I feel now, it's time for me to give back, which is why I do what I do. I have had one 6 day vacation in the last 12 years.  Friends and family are often concerned about that... but I really enjoy what I do.”

Meet some of the cats she has saved:

Ali, who is blind in her right eye, was rescued with her 3 kittens,
who have Cerebellar Hypoplasia. One kitten can't walk at all, one falls
down a lot and one walks funny, but is able to keep her balance. Pat kept
 Ali and her daughter, Hissy. The other 2 kittens (Tumble & Twirl) were
fostered out and Tumble was eventually adopted to a woman who works
with disabled people & wanted a disabled kitty.

Marina was hit by a car in front of Pat's house. Her husband saw it happen.
The driver never stopped. Marina pulled herself out of the street and collapsed.
Pat rushed her to Penn where they were able to save her.
She was Pat's most expensive single hospital stay at $4,500.

Silver is a feral that Pat rescued in 2003.

Hugh was a rescue Pat took away from a hoarder. He was living in a bathroom
 infested with roaches.  His only water source was the toilet. He finally
 got to live a good life. He lived with a woman who fostered for Pat,
until his passing from a mass on his liver

Roland is a kitty that Pat rescued from outside a 7-11. He kept trying to go home with
customers as they exited the store. If they didn't notice him he would go
back and sit by the store.  Pat took him home in her car and he fell asleep in
the back seat. He is a Daddy's boy and loves her husband.

Dot and Lucky were adopted by one of Pat's rescue cats who was lactating.
The mama cat was renamed Saint Mommy by one of Doobie's customers.
Dot and Lucky were adopted by one of Pat's friends.

Clyde was rescued from a friend in New Jersey.

Stripey was Pat and her husband's first rescue as a couple.

Thomas is a Philly fan.

Pat also rescued the kittens Milkface and Stinker (see the featured photo). They were about a week old when Pat's husband saved them (and a third kitten who died) from a house he was rehabbing. They were bound together by one of their umbilical cords. Stinker almost lost his foot. He is blind in one eye and neither of them have full eyelashes. A family near Doobies adopted both of them.

 "I really have been doing rescue since I was a child," Pat admitted. "I used to bring home all kinds of little creatures when we lived in West Philadelphia. I even brought home stray people that needed a place to live (we had a rooming house).  I rescued my first kitty when I was 6 or 7.  Her name was Soot Soot because she was covered in soot when I found her."

How does she do it all?

"Yes there are days when I am tired and don't feel like doing cat chores, but then I think about how many depend on me to take care of them and I get over it pretty quickly. I believe we are here to take care of them."

If you’d like to make a donation to Pat’s cat rescue, you can send it to: 
Doobies 
2201 Lombard St 
Philadelphia, PA 19146


She does not know I am asking.


Photo credits: Pat Brett