Michael and Ardani Studios - Community Cat Success Story

Mike and his siblings are owners of Ardani Studios in East Nashville where they make custom elf ears for cosplay costumes. They had some community cats show up at their studio, and because they are animal lovers they took the female cat to Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC), our municipal shelter. Through MACC, they were connected with Pet Community Center for our Community Cat Program, which provides resources and services to improve quality of life for community cats and humanely reduce overpopulation. Mike quickly took the lead on trapping the rest of the colony, and soon, all the cats were safely spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and returned to their home turf.

Our Community Cat Program uses a proven method called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)—the most effective and humane way to control the community cat population. This process helps reduce the number of cats entering local shelters while keeping outdoor cats healthy and safe. Among the group at Ardani Studios were two kittens, including Vespa, who became a fast favorite. Vespa had a limp that progressed until she could no longer walk, but Mike stepped in to care for her. Thanks to his dedication, Vespa made a full recovery—and stole Mike’s heart in the process. He adopted her, and her kitten brother was adopted by a fellow staff member. The adult cats were returned outdoors, where they continue to thrive in the place they call home.

Learn More about the Community Cat Program