It all started with one stray cat.

Tedra Villaroz found "Joey" in a trash bin, and he turned out to be special. This male part-Maine coon cat with long fluffy fur had a very unusual trait.

When Villaroz would bring home stray kittens to foster, Joey would try to nurse and groom them like a mother would. He would make them feel safe and loved until they grew bigger and strong enough to be on their own.

Through his 14 years of life, Joey fought cancer three times. The last time, the cancer won, but Joey's legacy of caretaking needy animals still lives on.

Villaroz has been rescuing cats since the 1980s. "After working for First Hawaiian Bank for 28 years, I decided I had enough and needed a change for something more rewarding," she said.

In 1998, she received nonprofit status and opened a shelter called Joey's Feline Friends to honor Joey. Since then, she has been taking in cats and any other animal that needs her help. "We even cared for ducks and peacocks. People laugh at me because I've spent so much money repairing peacock legs. They are usually hit by cars."

The no-kill shelter's mission is to provide shelter and care for abandoned, abused and physically challenged cats. Villaroz and her volunteers do their best to rehabilitate the cats and find permanent homes for them. Three hundred cats every year find loving homes.

The average number of cats in the cattery is 250 to 300. About 100 will live out their life at Joey's Feline Friends because they are not adoptable due to their health or behavior. Some residents don't have all their limbs; others are blind from untreated eye infections. At the shelter, the cats are given the best food and excellent veterinary care.

Currently Joey's Feline Friends has a dozen dedicated volunteers. This summer they are losing several of them, so they are desperately in need of help.

Visitors are allowed by appointment and get undivided attention in finding the right cat. Every Saturday and Sunday, adoptable kittens are also available at 1142 Roosevelt Ave. in Kalaeloa.

Villaroz is always getting calls about cats in distress. Last Wednesday afternoon, two schoolgirls found a two-week-old kitten on the Pearl Harbor bike path. They brought the kitten to Pearl City resident Harriet Enrique. Enrique asked three veterinarians for assistance but they were not able to help.

Out of desperation, Enrique called Joey's Feline Friends. Villaroz's response: "I'm already hand-feeding 10 kittens. What's one more?"

That evening, Enrique dropped the kitten into the welcoming arms of Villaroz. Enrique exclaimed, "She never brought up the subject of money or how badly they need donations! She just accepted the kitten."

Despite Villaroz's efforts, two days later, the kitten passed away.

"We need public support, both financially and physically. All donations go directly to caring for the cats. There is no paid staff, and kind veterinarians like Dr. Carol Fujioka offer their work either pro-bono or at a major discount. Due to the recession, our finances are in dire straits and our monthly donations are down," Villaroz said.

The shelter's minimum expenses per month total $5,000. But an additional $30,000 is needed to rebuild the catteries, which are in need of constant repair.

To make a donation, please call 554-2797 or visit www.joeysfelinefriends.org. Or send donations to:

Joey's Feline Friends
47-591 Halemanu St.
Kane'ohe, HI 96744

Villaroz's dedication to needy animals is admirable. Let's help her continue Joey's legacy.

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 19 years, or 133 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.