Guardians of the Garden: How Two Cats Changed Everything
I’m Mamma C! I am a beautiful 3 year-old white feline with patches of orange and brown calico. I like to stroll the garden, scratching posts as I go, though when food is out…I’ll be the first one there.
I’m Fern! I am a lovely tortie feline with a full dark mask. They joke that my mask makes me look grumpy, but don’t be fooled, I’m just very shy and very watchful. I wasn’t feeling so good a couple months ago but now I am healthy and back to my garden patrol!
When Mama C and Fern first arrived, they didn’t stride into the garden like conquering heroes. They waited. For months. Carefully acclimated in a cat condo under the watchful eyes of a dedicated crew, they were finally released in early 2025, and the garden has never been quite the same.
Mama C quickly made it clear she belonged. Boisterous, friendly, and endlessly confident, she moves through the beds like a furry foreman, greeting gardeners and charming visitors. She’s become a beloved mascot, especially for Sierra School students, who delight in her easygoing presence. Fern’s path has been quieter but just as powerful. Rescued from a hoarding situation, she arrived skittish and fearful, often flinching at human movement. Over time, caretakers realized her shyness was paired with pain. After finding the right veterinary partner, Fern was diagnosed with a severe case of Feline Stomatitis and underwent full tooth removal – the treatment that gave her life back. Today, she’s still shy, but comfortable, grooming, eating, and hunting without pain. She’s a transformed cat, and a daily reminder of what thoughtful community care can do.
Together, Mama C and Fern have settled seamlessly into the rhythm of the garden. Their presence slows people down. Visitors linger, volunteers ask after them, and spotting a cat on patrol has become as routine as watering or harvesting. They don’t just live in the garden, they shape how it feels.
Rat-tastic Revenge!
Kelly Wood, SCCG Chair, showing off one of the many benefits our Guardians of the Garden have provided.
And then there’s the pest control. Veteran gardeners tell stories of crops decimated in years past. This year? Not so much. The cats are an extremely effective, all-natural defense system. Nicknamed the Guardians of the Garden, they’ve likely saved hundreds, maybe thousands, of tomatoes alone. Estimate a few popular plants per plot, multiply by about 70 plots, and you start to see the impact.
In the end, the cats speak for themselves. They’ve brought healthier crops, happier people, and a deeper sense of connection to the space. The garden didn’t just gain two cats – it gained guardians, companions, and a little extra magic tucked between the beds.
Want to help keep that magic alive? The Caring Cat Committee is always looking for volunteers to help with daily care, coordination, and keeping Mama C and Fern happy and healthy. If you love cats, community, and a garden with purpose, consider joining the team in 2026!
Fern and Mama C were adopted in September 2024 by the loving volunteers of SCCG after being rescued by the Love Your Feral Feline Foundation from a near-death situation. Before getting rescued by LYFF, Fern and Mama C were barely surviving in horrible conditions with more than 100 cats in a hoarder's house. Now, they’re living the best cat life ever!
*Photos in this article were provided courtesy of our Caring Cat Committee members: Cass, Jim and Kelly.*
