Lifeline Donor Spotlight: Christin Mirabelli
Mar 11, 2025
In July 2019, Christin Mirabelli fostered a mama cat, Courtney, and her five babies: Oliver, Kelly, Nick, Mikayla, and Beyonce. “I will never forget how much I learned about how much mom cats do and how much they teach their babies. And those babies loved their mama,” says Christin.
Christin Mirabelli’s daughter expressed an interest in fostering cats and kittens back in 2018. Since then, they’ve provided a loving, temporary home for 19 foster cats (and counting).
“My favorite experience was June 9 to July 26, 2019, when I fostered a mom, Courtney, and her five babies: Oliver, Kelly, Nick, Mikayla and Beyonce,” says Christin.
It was clear Courtney belonged to someone previously because she was socialized, sweet, and gentle from day one.
“Courtney was so patient and nursed her five babies whenever they wanted. She litter trained them all, and not one kitten ever had an accident outside litter box. She taught them how to play...and when playtime was over. I will never forget how much I learned about how much mom cats do and how much they teach their babies. And those babies loved their mama,” Christin fondly recalls.
She went on to say, “And I loved to see Courtney do a head count and then sit down and relax when all were accounted for and safe in the little kitty pen I had for them.”
In addition to fostering, Christin is passionate about PAWS Chicago’s Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts. “I love programs where feral communities are spayed or neutered and vaccinated to keep them healthy and prevent unwanted litters,” says Christin.
To help support the programs she loves, Christina is a Lifeline donor.
“I am motivated to give monthly because I have witnessed first-hand the commitment PAWS has towards eliminating pets being put down, the quality care given to animals, the education around reducing the stray pet population, providing reduced-cost vaccination and spay/neuter services, and their sheer dedication to making sure pets get adopted, including those with behavioral issues,” says Christina.
When she’s not championing homeless and at-risk pets, Christin can be found doting on her three cats at home: Ebony, Marzipan, and Isha.
“Ebony, ‘Ebby,’ is 14. She is always in formal wear as she is a tuxedo cat. She is THE best cat. We got her while living abroad in Singapore. She is so well behaved at home and at the vet. Folks I know who do not like cats say if they could be guaranteed a cat like my Ebby, they would get one,” says Christin.
Marzipan, ‘Marzie,’ is a Siamese mix with a grey tabby coat. Christin got Marzie when she was just a 5-day-old kitten without a mom. Christin says, “She is 4 now. I bottle-fed that baby and kept her warm. Ebby showed her how to eventually eat solid food and use litter box. She is a sweet girl but a scared girl. But she eventually warms up to people.”
Last, but certainly not least, is Christin’s daughter’s cat, Isha (pronounced eye-sha). “She is a confident and sweet 2-year-old tortie. She is an eating machine but in slim shape because there’s no free feeding at my house. And even though she came into a house with two established cats, she holds her own,” says Christin.
Huge thanks to Christin and our entire Lifeline community for sustaining PAWS Chicago’s lifesaving programs day after day, month after month, and year after year. Homeless and at-risk pets can count on us because we can count on you. Thank you!