Millionaire Invests In Feline Futures

(CBS)  It took Jonathan Rosenberg 51 years and one wildly successful dot-com career to find his true calling.

"It's this world that's so much more satisfying," Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg gave up computers for … cats.

Somewhere around 100 cats, to be exact. At a swanky cat sanctuary he built in New Jersey, he's loved cats for years - and he put his money where his heart is, CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports.

Roughly how much of his money has he spent on this project?

"Ah, somewhere north of $2 million," he said.

The sanctuary is named for one of the great loves of his life: Tabby, his cat of 15 years who died in 1999. Rosenberg never met a cat he didn't like - and some of the cats hanging around his sanctuary are tough to love, such as one named Jackie.

"She'll act friendly," Rosenberg said. "You can pet her for five or 10 seconds, and then she'll go after you."

Sure enough, she attacked.

All of the cats there come from shelters and were scheduled to be euthanized. Not all of them are troubled, but a lot are.

One cat, Mozart, has what is politely called "urinary issues." Another, Tashi, has back legs that don't work. He gets physical therapy.

Another one, Star, is actually allergic to people.

Obviously, it can be hard to find homes for some of these cats but it can be done. About 550 cats have been adopted - and more than 100 of them have been, so called "special needs" cases.

If they're not adopted, all of them will live out their lives with medical care and love - even if they don't really want it.

"Wouldn't it have been more rewarding for you to take cats that are easier to adopt out?" Schlesinger asked.

"No," Rosenberg said. "It wouldn't be because my heart really goes out to the cats like these, that I shouldn't say no one else wants, but for the most part no one else wants."

And while caring for cats, Jonathan Rosenberg and his wife, Sharon, were touched by humans.

"They could take this young cat, but they're willing to take this cat with heart disease, or this diabetic, and care for it knowing its going to break their hearts," Rosenberg said.

It never hurts to be reminded: Animals with some of the worst problems can bring out the best in people.

[llperry2]

%u201CThe greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated%u201D

Mahatma Gandhi

[wendymk-2009]

Thank you, Jonathan Rosenberg, for Tabby''s Place. I wish there were more people like you.

[marlenespid]

Mr. Rosenberg thank you for carrying out my dream. I have always said that if I ever became a rich person I would open up a cat shelter. Since I''m not, I do the best I can and rescue homeless cats and also have an entire household of "feline" children in my home. Bless you.

[boston1954]

A beautiful story! I cried. Thank you Richard.

[andie52]

Great story! I know how horribly unwanted animals and strays are treated. Rescue organizations can%u2019t keep up to the overflowing population of uncared for and neglected animals. Anyone can get involved in rescue you don%u2019t have to be a millionaire to make a difference.

[hmdalzell]

I am appalled by the stupid comments people are making. If you have never been to Tabby''s Place you can''t possibly how inspiring these cats are. Jonathan is a selfless man who is devoted to these cats. I have been a volunteer for many years and adopted two special needs cats from Tabby''s Place. Take some time to appreciate the good. I am sick of this nagativity.

[hmdalzell]

I am appalled by the stupid comments people are making. If you have never been to Tabby''s Place you can''t possibly how inspiring these cats are. Jonathan is a selfless man who is devoted to these cats. I have been a volunteer for many years and adopted two special needs cats from Tabby''s Place. Take some time to appreciate the good. I am sick of this nagativity.

[honestabe8]

DebinOK1: You don''t see any good in the world? Sad way to go about life, it seems. But, remember there is always Jesus

[honestabe8]

There are so many very serious issues confronting the country and the world and I suggest the time spent on this should have been devoted to something more substantive.

Posted by PeterSaS

Peter: Why does this all have to be "substantive"? In fact, isn''t "substantive" a pretty subjective thing? If we limit the stories to what is "substantive", then there should not be a section for sports, fashion, entertainment, etc. And, it would be pretty dry reading.

[whatnow12]

I loved this story!!! I live in a city that has set as goal to become a "No Kill City" by 2012. We have built a new Animal Care Facility and have a mobile spay and nueter program. We have Sunday vaccinations at low cost where vets donate their time to help make sure everyone can afford to keep their pets safe. I have 3 recue animals and I wouldn''t trade them for anything.