This is Jade’s story — the cat who inspired a movement.
In May 2019, we rescued Jade, a shy but endlessly curious black-and-white tuxedo cat, from the Humane Society of Central Oregon. She was a gift for our daughter, who was twelve at the time — and from the moment Jade came home, she became part of our family of rescues.
Life Before The Incident
Jade was always independent. She loved exploring the yard, basking in the sun, and visiting friendly neighbors who would tell us how much they enjoyed her company. When winter came, she’d curl up inside — but when the weather warmed, she couldn’t resist the call of the outdoors.
Over time, we built a “catio” — a secure outdoor enclosure — so our cats could still enjoy the fresh air safely. But Jade, with her curious spirit, sometimes still wanted more freedom.
The Incident
In October 2025, Jade’s world changed.
One evening, she came running home injured and terrified. We soon learned that she had been shot by a neighbor with a BB gun — a deliberate act of cruelty. Despite the trauma, Jade survived, but her front leg had to be amputated to save her life.
Even as we struggled with heartbreak and anger, Jade’s resilience began to show. Just days after surgery, she was standing, hopping, and learning to balance again — determined to keep living her life.
Recovery and Strength
Jade adapted faster than we ever expected. She learned to jump, to climb, and to move with the same confidence she had before. Her bravery turned our pain into purpose — and her story became a call to action.
We realized that for every cat like Jade, there are others who never get the chance to heal — and we couldn’t stand by and let that continue.
The Birth of The Jade Project
From Jade’s recovery came a mission: to raise awareness about animal cruelty and to help protect other cats from the same fate.
We founded The Jade Project to share her story, support families of animal cruelty victims, and build a community that believes compassion and accountability can coexist.
“Helping cats heal — and humans do better.”
Call to Action
Jade’s story doesn’t end here — it continues every time someone chooses kindness, speaks up, or takes action.
If her story moved you, please help us spread awareness and protect the next cat who needs a voice.