REVISIT with Chris "Catman" Jones

I met up with Chris today to deliver cat food purchased so kindly by a fan of my Facebook fan page. She was so touched by Chris' story, she felt compelled to help and sent me money to buy him food for the many cats he cares for. This gesture really enforced the power of the internet; Amber is all the way in Michigan, yet she was able to see a face, read a story, and sympathize with a real human being and his animals all the way from the other side of the country! I know Chris is incredibly grateful for her generosity and so am I. What a sweet, sweet person!

When I met Chris in the parking lot where we had taken our first photos, he was walking with two kittens on his shoulders as you see below. I couldn't resist taking out my camera and snapping a few shots! Callum was a little shy of them at first but was delighted when Chris brought out the near newborns in the third photo.

According to Chris, he had seventeen (yes, that's right, SEVENTEEN!) kittens in the carrier in his Jeep. He brought them down so he could keep an eye on them as he was concerned what the male cats would do while he was away. A neighbor abandoned more cats with him and with another female with kittens on the way, he will be overloaded soon.

When I asked him if he had enough to eat that night, he shuffled around the question and reverted back to making sure the animals ate first. I couldn't leave without giving him something and thankfully I still had food specifically for this project in the back of my car. I left him with some tuna salad (non-perishable), another loaf of bread, and some waters.

I let him know that I'll keep in contact, and if anyone else decides to make a donation, I'll make sure to gets it to him!

Chris "Catman" Jones

Chris "Catman" Jones

I had seen Chris once or twice on a corner somewhat near my home and had wondered what his story was. His sign did not ask for food or money but rather work as a mechanic.

Today I stocked my car up with foods that would be handy (and inexpensive) to give away to homeless folks/people in need in exchange for my taking a picture (or two, or four, or six!). I saw Chris and passed him on the opposite side of the street on our way back from the store. I had about one second of hesitation before I turned my car around and drove up next to him in the driveway of a local paint store. Nervously, I asked, "Would you like some food?" His response actually surprised me: "Do you have food that my dogs could eat?" This threw me off a bit, so I went on to explain exactly what I was doing.

While Chris seemed slightly hesitant at first, he agreed to allow me to take a photo if I snapped one of him with his dog. I agreed, "No problem." I followed him to his jeep, handed him a loaf of bread and a container of peanut butter, and shot away.

After the photos, the conversation started to flow (while my poor kids sat in the car, patiently... for awhile). Chris had multiple dogs in his car which would be the reason that Callum did not want to get out. The next photo in this series shows him with the smallest dog. There was also what looked to be a collie or some sort (border or otherwise) along with a pit bull.

The dogs are what really opened up the conversation. I had asked if he badly needed food for the dogs. He replied that what he really needed was cat food (a local pet store donates dog food occasionally). He went on to explain that he had a now somewhat defunct abused animal shelter in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Summit Fire in 2008 destroyed everything he had and killed most of the animals, as well as destroying his home and the shelter. What animals have remained he still cares for and has provided them with some shelter he built himself. He also has a trailer on the property where he lives.

When I tried to divert the conversation to him and HIS needs, he always seemed to direct back to the animals. Although he did state something along the lines of, "The dogs know when I'm cranky that I didn't get a plate that night."

Chris' main request was cat food. I know, you would think he would be wanting all sorts of other things. Obviously work would be good too.

For those who are local, if you would like to donate cat food to him, he has been on the corner of San Tomas Aquino and Campbell Ave. lately.

He does have a phone number (likely one you recharge with minutes periodically), so if you want to contact him regarding food for the animals, you can.

Lastly, I was able to corroborate his story and found this photo from after the fire online here.