Success Stories
Maggie the Furry Flower Goddess
Maggie is known for being the "furry flower goddess".
Maggie the cat is living the good life as a “furry flower goddess” — a success story thanks to our Program Partner, Oglala Pet Project (OPP) on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Maggie, June and Willow are three cats that Vicki has adopted through OPP. They all live at Victoria’s Garden, Vicki’s flower shop in Rapid City, South Dakota.
“In the morning, it’s like they know we’re coming to work. They greet us at the door, and it adds so much love to our day to have them here with us.”
As a ‘ragdoll’ breed, Maggie is a cuddly kitty who brings a smile to everyone. She’s a source of comfort for customers who may be grieving, Vicki says. “She rests in your arms and is just content.”
Vicki loves her furbabies so much, she made her flower shop a donation drop-off site so she could
OPP rescued Maggie a few years ago from an abandoned house on the Pine Ridge Reservation, along with four other kittens and the mom. First, they stayed at the home of Jana, OPP’s Rapid City foster coordinator, who said, “Mama was very skinny and had fleas and worms.” She kept them in a quarantine room that was quiet, warm, and clean. Jana shared, “What happens a lot of times is that abandoned kittens turn into feral cats. Their life expectancy is very low. They probably wouldn’t have all survived” without OPP.
Jana eventually helped match the kittens to their forever homes. “The ones that Vicki chose have the best personalities for being at a flower shop and keeping things fun.” Vicki’s shop is a donation drop-off point for others looking to help rescues; people bring food, blankets, and other necessities.
Maggie, June and Willow are three cats that Vicki has adopted through OPP.
Vicki loves her rescue animals from OPP. “I love getting them from OPP, because I watch them tell the animals’ story on social media. You know their history and where they came from. It’s just a little animal that needs love and a home, so that makes me feel good.”
In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce up to 420,000 cats. In 2022 alone, RAR provided supplies and funded spay/neuter services for 4,275 dogs and cats on the reservations.
To support our RAR partners and families who take in rescues, RAR provides Foster Care Kits and honors a Pet Promise to help manage overpopulation on the reservations. Your support ensures that these helpless animals find the love and care they need.