Levoyd ’Catman’ Mitchell, of Delray Beach, holds one of the community felines that he feeds and cares for. Photo provided
By Arden Moore
This column is dedicated to people who help people who help cats. In particular, the spotlight shines on what people have done to transform the living situation for a Delray Beach man named Levoyd Mitchell.
But most people know him as simply Catman.
For years, Catman has gathered bags and cans of donated food to feed about 200 community cats in Delray Beach every day. He pedals to specific feeding spots morning and night. And the felines are waiting for him.
He is quiet-spoken. He prefers talking about cats more than himself. His focus is on helping cats who have been abandoned or born without homes.
“I have always loved animals, and I started feeding these community cats for a number of reasons,” he told me in a recent phone conversation. “Pedaling my bike with bags of food is good exercise and good for my health. And I love when the cats see me, come out and let me pet them.”
He is also a man filled with gratitude. With the help of many, led by Delray Beach Vice Mayor Juli Casale and Jill Merjeski, founder of Jill’s Next Door pet services in Highland Beach, Mitchell is now living in a furnished one-bedroom apartment and pedals a donated e-bike to feed the felines.
“I want to thank all who have donated food for the cats and to those who helped me find a place to live,” he says. “Thank God for them. They saved me because I would be homeless otherwise. I had nowhere to go.”
Organizers were able to fulfill the Amazon wish list 100% for his apartment furnishings.
Merjeski says, “This is a real miracle story. Catman has been fixing and feeding Delray’s community cats on his own accord for years. He is helping control our cat population while caring for legal homeless cats. He has a huge heart.
“This project reflects our community’s compassion and support by transforming his new space into a loving home,” she adds. “I’m honored to belong to a community that truly makes a positive impact on one another.”
Casale met Catman about five years ago, when efforts were underway to start a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return cat program in Delray Beach.
“This kind gentleman has been feeding our community cats every day,” she says. “He is hardworking and quiet. These cats rely on him.”
Casale’s home for the past two decades has always included rescued pets. Currently they are former street cats called Patrick and Peter.
Patrick was found on the streets with no fur due to mange and now sports a fluffy black-and-white long-haired coat. Peter followed Casale to her car for five days in a row. He had no microchip identification, and she estimates he was about 10 when she adopted him.
Catman knows that there are some people who don’t like free-roaming cats.
“Sometimes, people call the police on me because I am feeding cats in an alley, but fortunately, the police know me and what I am doing,” he says. “These community cats take care of lizards and snakes in yards.”
Casale agrees, adding, “With TNVR, these cats serve a service to the community. Community cats are not going away, and we should treat them with care.”
Quotes from Catman fans
Here are just some of the raves on his Facebook page: “The good guy comes out on top for a change. Way to go, Catman.” — Lori Meyers DiBacco
“I am so incredibly grateful to the village that came together to help a man who does so much for our beautiful cats!” — Susan Gilbert
“I’m so happy to see Levoyd in a safe and comfortable home of his own. Well-deserved.” — Sharon Casella
“It’s nice when good things happen to good people.” — Frank Malickson
“Thank you for doing what you do for the cats of Delray.” — Laila Petruzziello
How to help
Ship cat food donations to Levoyd Mitchell, 36 SW 12th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444.
See updates on Catman’s crusade at: https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.mitchell.1460.
Arden Moore is an author, speaker and master certified pet first aid instructor. Learn more at www.ardenmoore.com.
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