76-Year-Old Man Collects Scrap to Feed Stray Cats Daily

Willie Ortiz, a 76-year-old veteran and scrap metal collector from Hartford, Connecticut, has dedicated the last 22 years of his life to caring for stray cats in his community. 

No matter the weather conditions, Willie never misses a day to collect scrap metal to fund the cats' food and supplies. Along with feeding them each night, Willie also spays and neuters the cats to control their population growth and ensure their well-being.

Willie's mission to care for stray cats began when he witnessed a hungry kitten begging for food and saw people ignore it. Moved by the kitten's plight, Willie decided to take action. "People were pushing it away, and I could see it needed help," he recalls. "I know these cats can't understand my accent, but I need to do something." Since that day, caring for stray cats has become Willie's life's work and purpose.

Each morning, Willie sets out to collect scrap to sell and fund his mission of caring for stray cats. In the evenings, he leaves his home with tins of sardines and cat food to feed the cats and ensure their well-being. Thanks to Willie's efforts, the cats in his care are healthy and well-fed, receiving the love and attention they need to thrive.

Willie's compassion for stray cats goes beyond feeding them every day. He also takes care of the injured or sick cats, bringing them in for medical treatment. Despite the challenges, Willie finds happiness in his mission and sees it as his life's purpose. He is determined to continue caring for stray cats for as long as he is able.

In the previous year, a woman named Kathleen Schlentz launched a fundraising campaign on gofundme to support Willie's effort to feed the cats. The campaign exceeded its initial goal, but anyone who believes in Willie's mission can still make donations to contribute.

According to Kathleen Schlentz on the GoFundMe page, Willie currently provides food for 68 stray and feral cats in 16 different colonies every single night of the year. He has been doing this for 22 years without missing a single night and ensures that the cats have everything they need to live a good life.

There is a need for more people like Willie in the world who perform selfless acts of kindness that make a difference. Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates his efforts. “Some people question why I feed them every day or say that I feed them too much,” Ortiz explained. “But don't we all eat every day? We have three meals, while these cats only get to eat once in 24 hours.”

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