Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat

by Elizabeth Cee

When Ceci the kitten was born on a college campus, life was already stacked against her. As the runt of the litter, she couldn’t keep up with her brothers and sister, who were quickly rescued and rehomed. Her life was filled with rejection as she was continually left behind as other cats were saved from their carpark home.
Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat details the plight of street cats and the difficulty with adopting them, particularly once they reach a certain age. Follow Ceci’s journey and the lives of Simba, Micky, Arleen and Dory as they struggle for survival.
Ceci’s story will also introduce you to the great work of the dedicated individuals who are trying to rescue this carpark colony and find them forever homes. Please visit the Lonely College Cats Facebook page and blog to find out more.

Genres: Cats, Nonfiction

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2020

About the author

Elizabeth knew little about cats when she started to help a group that was living rough in a college carpark. She was surprised to learn cats have different personalities, complex emotions and learning behaviours just as humans do.
She was inspired by the resilience of the cats as they faced adversity and misfortune in their struggle to survive. This inspiration evolved into a desire to help them in whatever way she could, feeding them and trying to rehome them where possible. With a growing army of supporters, she is continuing in her work with the cat colony.
Elizabeth hopes Ceci’s story will inspire people to remain hopeful even amidst the challenges they face and that they will become agents of change in their lives and the world around them. Please visit Elizabeth’s Lonely College Cats Facebook page and her blog to find out more about the cats at the car park.

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat by Elizabeth Cee

Twenty years ago, my husband and I took in nine starving feral kittens and they lived long lives with us, into their late teens. We lost the last one two months ago, at the age of twenty. Three years ago, we trapped 4 feral adults and 4 feral kittens and they have forever homes with us, also. We use our own money for everything that involves the welfare of the cats and our home is big enough to provide them a huge area to live and play. We also had all the time we needed to get them used to us and their new home. 

I'm so thankful for the volunteers who do what they can do to help feral cats find homes or have a measure of safety, sterilization, food, and water, so that they can live as healthy a life as possible. The story Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat, by Elizabeth Cee, can give others an idea of what is involved in the rescue and rehoming, or not, of feral cats. I felt such anxiety reading the story because I know the anxiety my husband and I felt, before we were able to trap our own feral cats. For us, once we had them safely in our house, in their large new area, we didn't have the worries that the volunteers in this book had about the future of the cats they were trying to help. I'm thankful to the author and other volunteers for bringing attention to the plight of feral cats, all over the world. 

Published August 27th 2020

This was a Kindle Unlimited selection. 

[Susan (on hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love black cats so the cover alone would have been enough to entice me. Add 'rescue cat' and I was falling over myself to read this short book.

The story is about a small cat colony and a group of individuals who begin caring for them and getting them into loving homes. I loved the details regarding the interactions between the cats and their social structure. Like people, they don't always get along. Photos are included too - always a bonus looking at cute cats.

Having rescued and adopted many feral black cats myself, I could identify with the emotion of caring for cats living outside and worrying for them. Like this story, mine also had a happy ending

[debbicat *made of stardust* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful for the author, Elizabeth Cee, for reaching out to me to read this. 5 complete and easy stars (to give). More than one black cat has stolen my heart over the years. Both strays. I have a heart full of love for cats just like the one on this cover.

I received an email recently and was asked if I would like to read this and review it. The author wanted to get the word out and was hoping for a few more reviews. I looked it up and immediately replied that I did! My husband and I have rescued many cats over the years. I am very familiar with the plight of ferels. Sometimes it keeps me from sleeping at night. I have friends who manage ferel colonies. Keeping them fed is a big challenge at times but everyone does their best. They spend their own money for TNR (trap, spay/neuter, return). They spend their own money for food every day and are some of the most committed people you will ever meet.

I just love this book so much and laughed and cried. It is an important book and is free to read on KU. Only $2.99 to buy. I hope all of my GR friends will read it and add a review. It is short and heartfelt. I highly recommend it for all animal lovers.

We lost one of our black cats, Romeo, September 20, 2019 to liver disease. He was my heart wrapped in fur. He was a tiny baby when my husband rescued him and I will be forevermore thankful he was dumped on our dead end street...he was pure love.

Good pictures in the book too. I would give it more stars if I could. I will read it again and again when my heart needs a lift. Thank you Elizabeth Cee for finding me and reaching out to me. Thanks for writing this beautiful story. 😻

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this memoir, Elizabeth Cee describes her struggles to save a colony of feral cats. It’s tougher than it sounds—it requires a great commitment in terms of both time and money, and often, adult cats are too old to be rehomed. Cee writes with concise and clear prose, telling her story in a straightforward manner that is nevertheless quite powerful. There is much heartbreak here, but this is ultimately a story of hope. A short book, but unforgettable.

[Sameer Shakya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing how a bit of hope and determination can help accomplish so much. Ceci is a story which depicts the struggles faced by street cats and the determination of a college student along with some of her friends to find a forever home for these misunderstood creatures. The story begins with our narrator discovering a colony of street cats. She starts off by feeding these poor creatures and it soon turns into a rescue mission to get them neutered, socialized and adopted.

Throughout the chapters we get to learn more and more about the lives of these stray cats which helps us understand them better. As an animal lover myself, I was totally intrigued by some of the personality and behaviour traits these cats possessed. It was fascinating to get to learn how jealous some could get, how they tried to assert their dominance and surprisingly, how smart they were! Still amazing was the determination and perseverance of our group of friends, who cared enough to help find homes for these cats where they could be loved, despite being challenged by various factors.

The story of Ceci is surely an inspirational one. You instantly feel an attachment to these cats as I found myself rooting for Ceci to find a loving home which she so deserves. It's such a wonderful thing to be loved and trusted and this theme is prevalent throughout the book which makes it so heartwarming. I enjoyed reading every word of it. I would happily recommend it every animal lover out there.

Special thanks to Elizabeth Cee for sharing this beautiful story with me in exchange for my honest review.

[Pamela Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceci the Misjudged Rescue Cat is a story with heart. It’s about patience, perseverance and hope and woman’s determination to find a home for a small feral cat.

When a college student discovers a colony of feral cats living near the carpark at her college in Sydney, she decides to make sure they are fed, and where possible, socialized. In time the colony grows and she seeks help from others who care as deeply as she does and with teamwork they are able to trap and neuter many in the colony.

But feral cats are afraid of people and in some cases, each other. So after neutering, most are returned to the wild. Some adapt, others leave and find other colonies, and a few are adopted, especially if they are very young. But one little female cat seems to always be overlooked and misjudged. Her cat mother abandons her when she is weaned, other cats in the colony mistreat her, and she is too fearful to respond to the humans who want to help.

And then she does because of the kindness of the woman who saw her potential and eventually finds a home for her. This is a true story told in the first person, so I assume it is the author’s story. It’s charming and heart-warming, especially for cat lovers. Fans of A Street Cat Named Bob will love this book.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat rescuing is very unpredictable, you can never really know what to expect.
It's like going on a picnic, you hope for the best but it's not always possible, you may get rain.
The author starts out as a bit indifferent towards cats, not disliking them but not really having an opinion one way or another.
A college student at the time she begins seeing cats on campus and her heart begins to soften towards the plight of as she soon discovers more cats and kittens.
As I know from experience cat rescuing is expensive with vet care,spaying and neutering,trying to tame feral cats who have never been socialized, finding the time and money to do this is not an easy task. And cat trapping, well.......
Not feeding a feral cat for a time and then trying to trap them is not a guarantee that you will, that they will go into the trap for that can of food and for sure no guarantee they will go into it for a second time.
Over the summer I took in a rescue and vetted him. He was a beautiful black cat, I could tell he was old and feeble , my daughter's named him Tom. He had a broken leg that had been broken for sometime and it had healed incorrectly and poor Tom had a limp. The vet set it and Tom thrived, his coat got shiny and I could tell he was healthier and happier. Unfortunately Tom passed away after we had him for three months but I feel happy that we where able to give him comfort in his last months.
Ceci, the black kitten in the book is a kitten of one of the cats on the college campus, the runt of the litter she has trouble keeping up with her siblings and as she gets older life just gets harder as she is chased away by other cats because the competition for food is fierce.
The rescuer desperately wants to rehome Ceci before it's to late because many rescues will only take kittens in that are still as they call it socialize-able. Once they get past a certain age they feel the ability to place the kitten is past as the kitten is too feral. In my experience sometimes this is the case sometimes it's not.The rescuer was unable to get a picture of her though because the cats came to eat when they felt comfortable which was the dark. The thing about rescuing is it's all about getting the cats and kittens to trust you and with feral cats sometimes it takes a long time for this trust to develop sometimes unfortunately it never happens.
This is a story of the many cats and kittens on the college campus and how this wonderful woman devotes her life to rescuing them from being alone at night on the campus to feed them to spending her own money and raising money for vet care and contacting so many people from other organizations to help with rescuing,getting permission with things and to get fired up about the help she'd receive to have it all drop out of the bottom at the last minute when it couldn't work out. It's very heartbreaking and frustrating so many times cat rescuing but it's so worth it in the end when it works out so well with the ones you are able to help.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author for all she has done and continues to do and all the wonderful animal rescuers out there.

Published August 27th 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This remarkable book tells of Ceci the cat and the several other feral cats who formed a cat colony in a college car park. Elizabeth Cee describes in concise details the problems she encountered in trying to feed and care for these cats, with the hopes of rehoming them. All are fearful at first, and some never quite lose that cautiousness, while, eventually, some will become brave enough to approach and be petted. This rehoming is not a task for the impatient person! Elizabeth spent countless hours, as well as money, watching out for the cats. There is an accepted age limit for feral kittens, a matter of just a few months, after which socializing them is almost impossible. This story of Ceci will surely warm the heart of cats lovers the world over. Sad and discouraging at times and yet hopeful, Elizabeth takes us through the steps of rescuing not only Ceci but also others of her group. It’s quite informative and well written, with pictures of the cats, and some information on how to help. Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this wonderful book.

[Hannah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright. Well, this book was absolutely adorable. Not that I need more cats, but this story of cuteness and hope (with pictures to boot!) made me want to go right out and adopt some little floof balls ASAP.

The book is well-written, with an intimacy that brings you right into the journey alongside Ceci and the incredible, selfless volunteers who help rescue these cats in need. A quick, easy read that any cat lover will enjoy. You'll feel a profound sense of compassion as you follow along the kitties' journey and the ability to see that hope can come even in the smallest (and cutest!) of places.

[James W · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat,’ by Elizabeth Cee, is a heart-warming tale of compassion, perseverance, and, of course, cats!

Set in Sydney, ‘Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat’ tells the story of a ‘cat colony’ (a group of feral cats living together in the wild) and the college student who comes to their aid. Discovered as a kitten, Ceci is the ‘runt’ of the litter, and is ultimately abandoned by her fellow cats. Thankfully, a group of students come to her aid, adopting her and several of her siblings and eventually placing many of them in ‘forever’ homes.

‘Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat,’ shines a bright light on the plight of stray animals and cats in particular. It also provides readers with an inside look at the efforts of ‘rescuers,’ and the lengths they go through in order to care for feral animals.

For her part, author Elizabeth Cee presents this story with an intimate, journal-esque voice that adds a tangible sense of intimacy to the protagonist’s mission. Unfortunately, there are points where I feel the potential of this narrative was undercut by what ultimately feels like a bullet-pointed synopsis. The writing is good and the plot is well paced, but one can’t help but wonder what a little more character development could do for the overall message of this book.

At just over eighty pages, ‘Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat’ is the epitome of a ‘breezy’ read, albeit, one with a very important message of compassion and selflessness. Highly recommended for cat-lovers everywhere.

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat” by Elizabeth Cee shadows the lives and plight of a group of street cats living in a carpark on a college campus in Sydney, Australia. It’s a story of love, compassion and sometimes heartbreak as the author’s efforts, care, and determination drive her to give these felines the best chance to live long and satisfying lives.

All of the cats living in the carpark have daily struggles – with each other, with never knowing when their next meal will be, with infection, sickness and disease, the list goes on. But perhaps the most downtrodden of the lot is Ceci who, as the runt of the litter, faces challenges unseen by his brothers and sisters. It takes compassion, dedication, money, time, and a strong disposition to face the everyday ordeals of feral cats and can often seem like a no-win situation. Thankfully, there are people in the world like Elizabeth to look out for these babies and work tirelessly for their cause.

The writing is endearing and intimate. The author takes readers right alongside her on the journey. That said, some of the content does seem a bit redundant and flows as if you are reading entries in a diary, which causes the reader to jump in and out of scenarios without feeling like the story is fully fleshed out. Still, the author’s deep devotion to the cat colony keeps the reader turning the pages in hopes of a happy ending for all the cats involved.

What I really enjoyed were the descriptions of the cats and the way the author captured their personalities. I both laughed and cringed at some of their antics; all cats have their individual quirks and yet they all have typical characteristics only cat lovers can appreciate. Pictures of the various cats living in the colony line the pages for an almost tactile experience. I for one, could look at cat pictures all day!

A cat owner myself, all of my cats were found through rescue agencies and I appreciated how the author touched upon some of these agencies and the work they do for strays in the context of her story. I personally would like to have seen more focus on their mission and perhaps a call to action for people that want to get more involved.

Overall, “Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat” by Elizabeth Cee will help bring awareness of what it takes to care for, and possibly rehome feral cats. Readers can also follow the author on her blog and Facebook page as listed in the book for more information.

[Rose Auburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat is the non-fiction story of a group of street cats who live on the edge of a college campus in Sydney. One by one, due to the dedication of a selfless band of volunteers, this colony of homeless cats are rescued, treated and homed. All apart from the titular Ceci who faces an uphill struggle to survive and find an owner…

Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat is a delightfully endearing little read; thought-provoking yet ultimately heart-warming. The commitment that the Author and various members of the public demonstrate in helping the ‘Carpark Colony’ is quite humbling. The writing is informative, authentic and immediate. You get a real sense of place and the cats’ characters from early on which is good as this is a short book. I thought the inclusion of the photos was a lovely touch providing reference. Alongside the search for suitable owners for the cats, I felt that Ms Cee also undertook a personal journey. There was a definite feel that through her involvement with the rescue of the Carpark Colony, the Author grew in confidence and purpose. The reactions of her Sister and also the short paragraph at the end of Chapter 14 hinted at personal challenges. I believe the cats, and Ceci in particular, helped Ms Cee almost as much as she helped them and that provided a subtle dimension to the story.

The book is nicely edited and the silhouettes of cats on the Chapter headings is very sweet. The language is a little basic in parts and does lack an emotional range at times. However, it is quite instructive; I was not aware of the difficulties when a cat reaches a certain age (very young) in attempting to home them.

Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat is a charming and affecting book which highlights not only the plight of street cats but also the selflessness of those attempting to assist them. If you love felines, it’s highly recommended and would make a perfect little gift for cat lovers everywhere.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ceci: The Misjudged Rescue Cat is a great tale about a group of feral cats getting the homes they deserve. This is based on a true story so it's accompanied by pictures of the cats here and there throughout the reading, which is a great touch.

The writing itself felt a bit young for me. There wasn't too much description and there were a lot of names, specifically human characters, that felt as though I should have already known them from opening the book. So, I was a little confused at the beginning.

The heart of the story is the cats and whether they'll get a home or not. The human characters worked hard to socialize the cats and make sure they were healthy and fed. This is a good message for all when it comes to stray and feral cats.

Being such a short book, the pacing was a bit fast. I would have liked more, but I understand the author's choice in keeping it short and sweet. It was a quick and insightful read.

[T. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feline rescuers and the cats they care for are lovingly featured in this book!

Caring for feral cat colonies is no easy feat, yet there are special human beings who devote their lives to this mission. It takes an understanding of cat behaviors and psychology to have the patience to persist in this important work. As an animal lover, I have to live with feral cats and occasionally rescue these cats myself. I live in a rural area where farmers use cats for mousers. They are frequently abused and rarely spayed or neutered. In the wild, there are so many dangers and cruel, premature death is all too often a consequence. I support all who are aware of this issue. It is my hope this book will bring awareness of the diligence it takes to address the feral cat populations. This book is a welcome read! Please be kind to animals and people, everybody!

[Susan Alpert · Rating 5 out of 5]

CECI: THE MISJUDGED RESCUE CAT by Elizabeth Cee is a very sweet and educational short memoir about a group of college students who aid feral cats that live in the carport of their Sidney college campus. It’s written in a naturalist’s style. It reminded me of the classic animal book, Born Free, but with a story that is in reverse. In this book, the black cat Ceci must be honed to learn to live inside with people instead of outside in the dangerous outdoors. This book provides sound advice for helping feral cats, which sadly, is a common problem in most communities. Ms. Cee is a talented author and more importantly, a very caring human being.

[Timea Tokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional tale of love and loss...

Cute kittens and a woman with a heart of gold... What could go wrong? Yes, just about anything and everything, and the story portrayed that beautifully.

The amount of detail that went into the book made it really descriptive, although a bit slow at times. Still, the overall picture was lovely and heart-warming.

[Corrine Cassels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick easy read, that kind of read like an essay for a language arts class in high school or something. It had more of a narrative, descriptive feel than a story, but it was still entertaining. The author writes very matter of factly, but with a ton of heart, about the events over the years caring for a group of feral cats. Anyone who loves cats, or animals for that matter, will appreciate this story and the detail put into it. And there are adorable pictures!!

[Chutiyami Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the beautiful story. It is heart touching to see there are people who can be passionate about street cats and put their resources to help those poor cats. I hope they will eventually find a permanent home for the cats.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really shouldn't read books like this, they just upset me. It's a good story about a cat colony and the people who maintain it and try to re-home the cats. Mostly it's the story of Ceci, one of the cats. I enjoyed the book, but oh, it just breaks my heart to think of all the poor forgotten, abandoned, and abused pets out there. The world is not a very nice place for animals. Thank the heavens for people willing to care for them.

[Vally Mulford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story of cat rescue. I was cheering for the team of rescuers and learned more about the plight of homeless cats. I loved the pictures included in the book.