Feral Cat Lounge Created In Memory Of Avid Animal Lover

PHOTO: Gail Culver shown here comforting a mule. Gail, whose love for animals showed no bounds, passed away in March of 2020. Gail’s husband Michael and Daughter Amanda recently collaborated with the Lakes Region Humane Society to develop the Gail Culver Feral Cat Lounge Project in her memory. Courtesy Photo

In early spring Michael Culver, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Wright Museum, reached out to the Lakes Region Humane Society (LRHS) in Ossipee, to ask if there was something he and his daughter, Amanda, could do to benefit pets in need in memory of his late wife Gail who passed away in March 2020.
Gail Culver’s passion for all animals was renowned and she is survived by a menagerie of house animals that she spoiled, so a project to honor her memory through caring for animals was an easy choice.
“Every winter Gail also made winter ‘homes’ on our back deck for homeless cats,” said Michael Culver. “Over the years we took in several of these cats ourselves and they became our ‘house pets’. Some who were more feral just continued to come back in the winter to Gail’s hotel, eat, sleep in a warm place at night and then wander off – only to return. Gail would take those who returned to the vet and have them cared for and neutered. The vet always told us that if she ever came back in another life, she would want to come back as ‘one of Gail’s cats’”.

Culver also noted that “Although Gail loved all animals and supported the Humane Society in our hometown of Port Jervis, New York, she was especially impressed with the Lakes Region Humane Society because of their feral cat program. Gail always fed and took care of the ‘lost cats’ that were part of our neighborhood, often taking them to the vet for shots and finding them new homes with cat-friendly friends. Over the years many cats even moved in with us to become our own house pets and lifelong friends.”
LRHS has a barn on site. That barn is home to a variety of feral cats. These cats are fully vetted before transitioning into the barn and given fresh food, water, and litter daily. They come and go as they please, which is what they are accustomed to. What these cats didn’t have was a heat source (other than heaps of blankets and cubbies).
“Gail was especially concerned about homeless cats when winter arrived – for years she built temporary shelters on our back deck, providing them with a warm place to eat and stay when the snow began to fall and temperatures dropped,” said Michael Culver.
It was agreed that the feral cats would benefit from the addition of a heated space and thus a collaboration, dubbed the Gail Culver Feral Cat Lounge Project, commenced. This project was completed by LRHS Maintenance Person, Gary Dean, who went above and beyond to renovate the space from drafty barn loft to a walled-off, insulated, finished, and heated feral cat palace.

On December 11th, Michael visited the new space bringing with him a custom sign reading “That Momma’s Feral Cat Lounge” which he hung at the top of the barn stairway. (“That Momma” was what grandson Brady called Gail.) He also brought a beautiful cat tree which he assembled in front of the cats’ most favorite sunny window.
Gail’s passion for animals was matched by her passion for teaching which she did for 30+ years in several school systems, including Louisville, KY, and Sussex, NJ. She especially loved to instill a joy of reading in her students, often resorting to dressing in appropriate costumes to read to them and enjoying their participation.
Recently, the Gail Culver Scholarship Fund was set up at Port Jervis High School by Michael and Amanda to award scholarships to one or two graduating seniors annually.
The creation of the Gail Culver Feral Cat Lounge is a fitting tribute to Gail’s other passion, a love for all animals.
Mike Culver related one story (out of many) about Gail’s amazing care for animals.
“One spring many years ago Gail found a baby robin under a tree in our backyard. She knew it was against all odds but she decided to try to save the bird. So she nursed the bird with a eye dropper and eventually digging up worms as it got bigger. Needless to say the bird ‘Chirpy’ survived and would sit on Gail’s shoulder outside. Chirpy would fly around the yard but always would return. Eventually Chirpy flew off to live its own life, thanks to Gail’s caring.”

“The Gail Culver Feral Cat Lounge is such a meaningful way for our family to remember Gail (Mom and Grandmother) and to honor her enduring kindness to all animals,” said Culver. “We urge others who share Gail’s love of animals to support the Cat Lounge and the LRHS Spay/Neuter program.”
The Culver Family donated generously and LRHS is extremely grateful for this fantastic upgrade. LRHS is accepting donations to cover some unanticipated project costs. Those who wish to join the Culver’s in honoring Gail, can donate online www.LRHS.net, over the phone 603-539-1077 or mail a check made payable to “LRHS” with “In Memory of Gail” recorded on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 655, Ossipee, NH 03864.