In a story that has quickly gone viral for all the right reasons, a quiet hero who spent his final days rescuing hundreds of abandoned kittens has had his last wish fulfilled — and the person responsible is none other than golf legend Tiger Woods.
Thomas “Tommy” Blake, a 61-year-old retired firefighter from Tampa, Florida, spent the last decade of his life quietly operating an unofficial rescue shelter for stray cats in his community. Over the years, Blake became known to locals as “The Cat Man,” a gentle soul who never turned away a sick, lost, or starving kitten. He often paid for food, veterinary bills, and spaying procedures out of his modest retirement fund. Friends say he sacrificed a comfortable life to provide for animals that no one else would help.
When Tommy was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in 2024, he only had months to live. Yet even in the face of death, he remained focused on his cause. “He said to me, ‘I don’t want people to remember me — I want them to remember the kittens,’” recalls neighbor Linda Morales, who helped him in his final weeks.
His final wish, scribbled on a faded notebook page a few days before he passed, was heartbreakingly simple: “Please find them a forever home. Don’t let them go back to the streets.” That note was taped to the door of his small trailer home — which, at the time, still housed 27 cats waiting for adoption.
The story might have ended there, lost in the noise of the digital world. But it didn’t. A local animal rescue volunteer posted a heartfelt message on Facebook with photos of Tommy and his kittens. The post went viral, eventually catching the attention of someone unexpected — Tiger Woods.
According to his agent, Tiger had been browsing social media during a quiet evening at his Florida estate when he saw the post. “He just stared at the screen for a long time,” the agent said. “Then he said, ‘This guy deserves better.’”
What followed was something no one could have predicted. Within 48 hours, Tiger Woods quietly donated $150,000 to a local animal sanctuary — enough to build a dedicated wing in Tommy Blake’s name and permanently house the remaining cats. But he didn’t stop there. Woods also used his foundation’s platform to promote cat adoption in Florida, sharing Tommy’s story during a televised charity golf event. “Some people save trophies,” Tiger said on air. “This man saved lives.”
The tribute drew an outpouring of support from across the country. Hundreds of fans began adopting animals from shelters that had taken in Blake’s cats. A mural was painted in downtown Tampa showing Tommy surrounded by kittens, with the words: “He didn’t play golf, but he had the heart of a champion.”
Even Woods’ own children got involved. His daughter Sam reportedly helped design the sanctuary logo, while his son Charlie arranged a fundraiser at school to collect supplies for rescued animals. Tiger himself visited the sanctuary in May 2025 — unannounced, without cameras — to see the cats and lay a small plaque reading: “In memory of a real hero.”
For those who knew Tommy, the outpouring of love has brought comfort. “He would’ve never imagined this,” said Morales, wiping away tears. “But somewhere, I think he knows. And I think he’s smiling.”
In a world too often consumed by celebrity scandals and petty headlines, the quiet connection between a dying man and one of the most famous athletes on the planet reminds us that kindness — no matter how small or furry — matters. Tommy Blake may be gone, but thanks to Tiger Woods, his mission lives on in every purr, every cuddle, and every second chance.
