O’Connor Woods: A Community of Care—For Seniors & for Cats
by Mary Ann Chapman
O’Connor Woods is a nonprofit Life Plan Community that has proudly served adults aged 62 and older for more than 35 years. Nestled on a picturesque 34-acre campus shaded by old-growth oaks, it has long welcomed animal companions and, over time, has become a safe haven for cats abandoned or left behind in the surrounding area. These feline residents have been embraced as part of the community, reflecting O’Connor Woods’ deep commitment to compassionate, animal-friendly living.
For years, a handful of dedicated staff members took it upon themselves to care for the campus cat population. But when those volunteers retired and the pandemic made veterinary access nearly impossible, the cats’ needs grew urgent. The question became “Who will step in now?”
There was one cat who started it all. In July 2020, Patty, a nearby resident, walked past the O’Connor Woods fence as she often did. One day, a striking older black-and-white cat with emerald-green eyes caught her attention. The next day, he appeared again, this time accompanied by three tiny black kittens. Something about him felt purposeful, almost as if he were asking for help. Patty named him Oreo. What began as sliding bowls of food through a fence quickly grew into a daily commitment. Within months, Patty was feeding more than 30 cats at her own expense. She returned day after day not only because they were hungry, but because Oreo had captured her heart. Without knowing it, he became the catalyst for everything that followed.
O’Connor Woods stepped up! Recognizing Patty’s dedication, O’Connor Woods invited her onto the campus to help more directly. She immediately saw the growing need and stepped into action, organizing volunteers among staff and residents, coordinating donations and partnering with local animal welfare organizations. With her leadership, O’Connor Woods was able to restart its spay-and-neuter program, ensuring responsible and humane population management. Over the next two years, every cat on campus, including all kittens born during that time, was spayed or neutered. In total, 75 cats were altered, ending the cycle of overpopulation once and for all.
Tragically, Oreo’s life was cut short but his legacy would remain. According to the veterinarian, he had been poisoned. The loss of Oreo devastated everyone who knew him. But it also came with a promise: Oreo would be remembered not for how his life ended, but for the countless lives his story would save.
In his honor, Oreo’s Haven was founded, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing food, shelter and medical care for stray and feral cats in the community. O’Connor Woods resident Pat Frederick played a key role in bringing Oreo’s Haven to life, sharing Patty’s story and helping raise $6,000 from fellow residents and staff to launch the rescue. Patty soon became a familiar, comforting presence among the cats, organizing donation drives and working with veterinarians to continue the spay and neuter efforts.
Today, O’Connor Woods residents foster and adopt many of these cats, and Oreo’s Haven runs a thriving adoption program, hosting weekly events at the Lodi PetSmart. This past year alone, the rescue celebrated 100 adoptions and hopes to double that number in 2026.
It is a mission rooted in love. At its heart, Oreo’s Haven believes that every cat deserves a home, and that love and respect are never optional. Patty never imagined that feeding a single cat through a fence would lead to a full rescue organization. Yet today, she stands on the same grounds, watching once-forgotten cats warm, safe and cared for and it’s all because of one cat.
To support or donate to Oreo’s Haven, visit oreoshaven.com and connect with Patty Galaz. To learn about living at O’Connor Woods, an animal-friendly community, contact Mary Ann Chapman at 209-662-4669.
