12/23/2025
Happy Holidays from the Roadrunner Cat Coalition
Dear Friends of the Roadrunner Cat Coalition,
As the year comes to a close, our hearts are full of gratitude, full of hope, and full of the tiny pawprints left by each cat we’ve met, rescued, fostered, or simply loved from afar. Every year brings new stories, but 2025 felt especially meaningful, reminding us why this community matters and how much good we create together.
2025 was a year of surprises and second chances as we began the year on a mission of love searching for our beloved Harry, . Although our search didn’t bring Harry back to us, it led to the discovery of two new Laurel residents, Schneider and Jack, who quickly stole our hearts. Even Hobbs felt inspired to move to Laurel to join her new friends.
In March, a student at University Oaks reached out about a cat left behind during move-out: a handsome boy we named Oakley. He wandered into another student’s apartment and ended up getting a police-escorted ride in a squad car! Our very own Regina (never missing a chance for humor) renamed him JD, Juvenile Delinquent, and thanks to Charming Pet Rescue, he soon found a loving home as an emotional support companion for a young student. A little mischief turned into a miracle.
That same month, the campus community came together at Chaparral Village for a deeply emotional Celebration of Life honoring Harry. The students were especially affected, sharing stories, tears, and memories that showed just how much he meant to them. He was a cherished friend, a comforting presence, and a little piece of home at UTSA. To honor his love for the students who adored him, we established the Forever a Roadrunner: Honoring Chap Cat Scholarship. It ensures that Harry’s legacy lives on in the very community he made brighter, continuing to support the students who loved him so deeply.
Soon after, a student volunteer reached out about a sweet cat named Sophia near Chisolm. Kerri trapped her, Kelly fostered her, and Sophia surprised everyone with four kittens. Two little ones didn’t make it, but Curly, Gabby, and Sophia continue receiving care for their medical needs thanks to the compassion of their caregivers.
By late summer, we helped another University Oaks student locate his sneaky feline escape artist, Lefty, and then helped the same student get him neutered and vaccines, allowing him to stay safe and healthy in his forever home.
In September, we dedicated Harry’s memorial bench at Chaparral Village/ Roadrunner Café and placed his memorial stone at a peaceful spot for students and staff to remember their beloved Chap Cat.
October brought more surprises than anyone could have predicted. On the very day of our 20th-anniversary fundraiser, we received word of two tiny kittens abandoned outside a dorm room. Amy rushed over and took them to the vet. Little Bevo and Reveille, now known as Elliot and Abbie, are thriving in their new forever home.
And in November, a campus officer found a tiny, fragile kitten in the middle of the street who had already lost part of his front leg. We took him in, named him Hank, and with the immediate help and compassion of Molly, Kathy, and Karen, he got the urgent care he needed. Hank ultimately had to have his leg amputated, but this brave little guy is healing so well. He’s learning to take on the world on three legs with the sweetest spirit and an unbelievable amount of courage.
Our Southwest Campus cats have had an eventful year, too! We welcomed two new kittens, Dubois (Dubie) and Moo, who appeared on campus out of nowhere and quickly charmed everyone. Moo is still waiting for his trip to the vet, but he's settling in nicely.
Our beloved Patches gave us quite a scare this year, disappearing for a week and leaving us fearing the worst. When she finally returned, hungry, injured, and limping, Barbara rushed her to the vet, got her microchipped and vaccinated, and kept her indoors to heal. After a few cozy days inside… she decided she’s never going back outdoors again. She now proudly serves as the official Ceramic Department office cat, ruling her new kingdom with grace (and snacks).
Our mischievous brothers Mason and Maverick, along with JoJo, Odin, and Whiskers, continue to thrive, each with their own personality and charm. And every now and then, we catch a glimpse of the elusive Pumpkin, who keeps us guessing but always warms our hearts when he appears.
To help everyone stay safe through the winter chill, we’ve set up warm mats and weatherproof boxes to give them shelter and comfort all season long.
We often get asked why we do what we do, and the answer is simple: it’s because we see the magic that happens when kindness meets action. We can completely change the story for cats like JD, Sophia, Patches, Elliot, or Abbie. We are powered entirely by hearts like yours, and every one of our cats, from the shyest stray to the boldest troublemaker, deserves a chance at warmth, safety, and love.
From our hearts to yours, thank you for supporting the Roadrunner Cat Coalition, whether by feeding, trapping, fostering, donating, adopting, or simply caring. We truly couldn’t do this without our incredible community.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with peace, joy, and a little extra purring.
If you feel moved by the stories of our campus cats and the work we do, we invite you to help us continue this mission of compassion. A heartfelt contribution, whether through Zelle at [email protected] to support daily care, food, medical needs, and rescue efforts, or by giving to Harry’s memorial scholarship at https://fund.utsa.edu/campaigns/forever-a-roadrunner-honoring-chap-cat, helps ensure that our cats, and the students who love them, continue to feel the impact of this community’s kindness. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us create more happily-ever-afters. Thank you for opening your hearts to our Roadrunner cats.
Website: www.utsacats.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTSACats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chap_cat/
