Rescue Super Star: Sherri Trader Hines

We love to share stories about remarkable people we meet through our rescue operations.  This is a story about a remarkable Maine Coon Rescue Community member named Sherri Trader Hines. 

Sherri has adopted 9 Maine Coons and mixes who were either part of our foster program or posted in this group.   She also fosters for a local shelter in Maryland and has adopted other adult cats that she’s heard about that need homes.    

The first cat she adopted from our Facebook group was Xena, who was surrendered at 20 years old. Sherri knew that Xena would not live for many more years, but she was determined to give her a great home for the rest of her life.  At the time, Sherri also was fostering two cats for us.

We learned about 4 pedigree cats in Florida that were living alone.  Their owner had gone into hospice and then passed away.  For 6 months, the cats were visited for only a few times a week; food was left for several days and they received little attention.

Sherri’s intention was to adopt 2 of the boys, but when she saw their conditions, she took all 4 of them.  They had been neglected for some time and had ear mites and other health conditions. 

Sonny, Cody, Taz, and Gator thrived during the time that they had left.  She only had them a total of 2 years but they got to stay together and experience a loving home during the time that they had left. 

One Saturday morning I get a call from a woman in Florida who wants us to “pick up her Maine Coon mixes by Sunday or she’d drop them off at the shelter.”  I explained that it can take a little time to find someone to foster them and she gave me a few more days.  Our team started networking Aurora and Athena and Sherri stepped up to take them into foster care. 

We were having difficulty finding someone who would take both of these extremely bonded girls, so after a few months, Sherri approached us about keeping them.

Lola was another cat posted here that Sherri saw.  She and a friend drove 24 hours round trip to pick up Lola. Here is what Sherri had to say:  I saw the posting about a senior girl and I saw her face and my heart just melted. As you know I have a soft spot for seniors. After speaking to the person arranging rescue it became clear the situation was dire.. It was a long 24+ hours but worth it. We were told Lola was going outside the litter box however she has been good as gold since I have had her. She has massive mats in her fur, very painful arthritis and hip dysplasia but takes her meds like a champ and hops around like a little bunny. She’s quite the delight.

Alice (now called Lillibet) was taken into our foster program after both of her owners passed away within a few weeks of each other.  Lillibet had spent most of her life in her owner’s primary bedroom and bathroom, so our foster Peggy Johnson worked with her for months to bring her around.  When we posted her, Sherri applied for her too.

We are so grateful that people like Sherri are members of Maine Coon Rescue Community.  She is truly an inspiration and a blessing.  She has never been reluctant to take a senior cat that may have a few months or a few years left to live; she is determined that they will not die alone in a shelter or an unloving environment.

I realize that many of us cannot take in as many cats as Sherri has.  But we are asking for your help in other ways. 

1.       One of the easiest ways that you can help is to share a link of a cat needing a new home with friends who may be looking for adoptNetworking (reposting) really does result in many adoptions.

2.       Foster a cat.  It doesn’t matter to me if you foster for us or for a local organization.  At this moment, so many small rescues are absolutely overwhelmed with kittens because people got behind with TNR efforts during COVID.  Being a foster is one of the greatest experiences you can have.

3.       Donate.  The cost of veterinary care has significantly increased in the past two years and despite being a nonprofit, we never receive any discounts from vets (believe me, we always ask).  During our 10th anniversary celebration, we’re asking our members to consider donating $10 for our foster program.  We have a variety of ways to donate:  Paypal (ilovemainecoons@outlook.com) or Venmo (MCRC-2012)/you will need 9718 to complete the transaction.

Thank you for taking time to read about this amazing woman!