Dewey hanging out at his colony circa 2013.

October 16 is National Feral Cat Day - a day to raise awareness and promote the humane treatment of feral cats. Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) manages over 30 feral cat colonies that hundreds of Regina's stray and feral cats call home. One of those cats is Dewey, who sadly passed away on Wednesday. National Feral Cat Day feels like a very special opportunity to share Dewey's story.

Dewey and his littermates were born to a feral cat at one of RCR's feral colonies in 2000. Dewey’s mother was never found, but he and his two brothers, Hewey and Louie, were discovered living under an old car. The trio could often be seen climbing a big old tree in the alley. Dewey, like all feral cats in RCR's care, was humanely trapped, neutered and returned (TNR) to his colony as a young cat.

Dewey just a few weeks before his passing.

At the time of his passing, Dewey was 15 years old and the oldest feral cat at his colony. RCR volunteer feral feeders would often spot Dewey hanging back in the trees as they completed their daily feeding routes. He stayed true to his feral nature by keeping his distance but he also kept a watchful eye so that he could get first dibs on the soft food left by the feeders. In his long life, Dewey made some special friends, but was particularly close with Lucianno who passed away several years ago. Dewey was an amazing cat who will be missed by volunteers and his feline pals. He lived 15 happy and healthy years on the street with a little help from his RCR friends. RCR volunteers are comforted knowing that Dewey is now reunited with his best buddy Lucianno. Goodnight, Dewey.

You can help feral cats like Dewey live long and healthy lives by supporting progressive animal welfare policies and programs (like TNR), by donating soft cat food to RCR's canned food drive (drop off at 167 Bothwell Cres.) and by donating funds to spay and neuter feral cats.

This year, Rochdale Roca House decided to help RCR celebrate National Feral Cat Day with something sweet. Stop by the coffee shop at 1010 Pasqua St. N. today for cupcake Friday in celebration of National Feral Cat Day. With each cupcake you'll also receive a 'I heart feral cats' pin and an RCR feral cat trading card featuring some of RCR's most famous feral cats.