‘I’m so happy for the cats’: Over $270,000 donated to Ten Lives Club in support of Buffalo Bills’ Tyler Bass
Ten Lives Club has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass, as donations in his honor have surpassed $270,000. Every dollar will go directly to helping more cats, a mission that has left the shelter’s Public Relations Manager, Kimberly LaRussa, deeply moved. “I was crying on the phone today, I just can’t believe it,” she said. “I’m just so happy for the cats.”
The shelter’s three young kittens—Lake Effect, Whiteout, and Erie, born the day before last year’s playoff game between the Bills and Chiefs—have grown up with Bass as an indirect benefactor. Since Monday night, the shelter has watched donations surge, and staff members remain stunned by the community’s generosity. LaRussa shared, “We are all speechless at Ten Lives Club and can’t believe this is happening.”
According to the ASPCA, essential care for a cat, including food, litter, and veterinary costs, averages $675 per year.
By this estimate, the donations will enable Ten Lives Club to support over 400 cats this year, and with quicker adoption rates, the impact could be even greater. “I hope it brings him a smile to know how many cats he is saving right now,” LaRussa added.
This level of support marks the largest sum the organization has ever received, exceeding their biggest past fundraiser tenfold.
The inspiration behind this support traces back to an ad campaign Bass participated in during 2022. Timothy Cardone, a Ten Lives Club volunteer, recalls how Bass chose to pose with one of his foster cats, Harley. While other players were pictured with dogs, Bass specifically wanted a cat, leaving a lasting impression on the shelter.
“Taking a photo with a rescue cat may not seem like a big thing for him to do, but for us, it was everything,” said LaRussa. “Thank you, Tyler Bass.”