Contact us today to sponsor Because Of Brucey.
About Us
Because of Brucey is a dedicated 501c3 animal rescue organization based in Youngsville, Louisiana. Our primary focus is on rescuing and rehabilitating neonatal kittens, but we advocate for all animals in need. Founded with the belief that every animal deserves compassionate care and a loving forever home. We strive to create a lasting impact on animal welfare both locally and globally through rescue, education, and community involvement.
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Rescue and Care: We provide 24/7 specialized rescue and care for orphaned, abandoned, or at-risk neonatal kittens and other animals. Our dedicated team ensures round-the-clock bottle feeding and essential medical treatments for these vulnerable animals.
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Community Education: We implement youth programs, special needs youth programs, and community outreach initiatives to educate the public about responsible pet ownership, animal welfare, and the unique needs of neonatal kittens. By fostering responsibility in our youth, we aim to cultivate future animal welfare advocates.
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Global Reach: We are committed to expanding our influence by collaborating with international organizations to share best practices and promote animal welfare initiatives worldwide.
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Expansion of Services: We are working towards establishing "kitten nurseries" throughout Louisiana and beyond to provide specialized care for more vulnerable kittens.
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Collaboration: We partner with local veterinarians, businesses, and organizations to strengthen our impact and extend our reach within the community.
Our Commitment
Our Initiatives
Our projects focus on providing essential care and support to animals in need. From rescue missions to medical treatment and adoptions services, we are dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community.
Bottle/Syringe Feeding
Our trained staff and volunteers offer round-the-clock bottle feeding for neonatal kittens ensuring they receive the nutrition crucial for their survival and growth.
Community Education
We plan to offer educational programs on neonatal kittens ensuring care, the importance of spay/neuter, and responsible pet ownership to promote long-term community impact. We use each rescue as an opportunity to educate the public about animal safety and prevention of dangerous situations.
Medical Care and Rehabilitation
Emergency Response
We provide essential medical treatments, including vaccinations. Deworming, and specialized care for kittens with health issues., partnering with local veterinarians to ensure optimal health outcomes.
We provide rapid response and rescue for kittens in immediate danger or distress situations. At Because Of Brucey, we pride ourselves on our rapid response capabilities for animals in crisis, our dedicated team operates 24/7 ready to mobilize at a moments notice to save kittens in immediate danger.
Our Team
Torie Guilliot Roberts
Founder & President
Because of Brucey
Torie Guilliot Roberts is a lifelong resident of Youngsville, Louisiana, and proud to carry forward her family’s legacy of working with animals and creating positive change in her community. As the Founder and President of Because of Brucey — a 501(c)(3) neonatal rescue, ICU, and animal welfare organization — Torie leads a dedicated team whose mission is to save and nurture the most vulnerable animals, particularly neonatal kittens and critical care cases.
The organization’s name honors Brucey, the tiny kitten whose fight for survival sparked Torie’s determination to address a critical gap in animal welfare: the lack of dedicated care for fragile neonates in the region. What began as a single rescue has grown — thanks to community support, veterinary partnerships, and countless hours of tireless care — into one of Acadiana’s most vital life-saving resources for animals in need.
Torie’s path to animal rescue leadership is unique. A successful stylist and makeup artist for over 15 years, she was entering her third year of nursing school when demand for her expertise in saving neonatal kittens quickly changed her life’s direction. Her background in medical care, combined with her deep compassion for animals, made her a natural in the world of neonatal ICU rescue — or as Torie and all of her friends say, “Veterinarian is probably what she should have been all along!”
Her approach to nonprofit management is rooted in compassionate leadership and collaboration, fostering a culture where every team member’s contribution is valued. Under Torie’s leadership, Because of Brucey continues to grow daily — operating a 24/7 ICU nursery and foster network, providing advanced veterinary care and diagnostics, building partnerships for disaster relief, and supporting other underserved rescues across the region.
Beyond rescue, the organization is committed to educating the public about responsible pet ownership and the special needs of neonatal kittens through community outreach and youth programs like Kitty Quenchers. Each day brings new challenges, heartwarming successes, and a renewed belief in the power of compassion and dedicated care.
With genuine, heartfelt gratitude for the community that supports this mission, Torie remains focused on expanding Because of Brucey’s impact — giving every tiny life a fighting chance, and helping create a world where no animal, no matter how small, is left behind.
Alan Roberts
Co-Founder & Vice- President
a passionate advocate for animal welfare, Alan supports his wife Torie's mission of rescuing and rehabilitating neonatal, orphaned, injured, and ill kittens. Alan works in the oilfield as a field supervisor, he’s a proud father and grandfather, and is committed to supporting animal rescue efforts.
Alan is deeply invested in the organization's goal of providing a safe haven for animals in need. He plays a crucial role in supporting Torie's extensive experience in kitten rescue, which spans nearly 20 years. Together, they have created a nonprofit dedicated to saving animals and vulnerable kittens and promoting responsible pet ownership.
As a co-founder, Alan helps drive the organization's initiatives. Alan and Torie are committed to making a significant impact in their community, as well as globally, with a specific focus on rescuing and rehabilitating kittens. Their organization, Because Of Brucey, aims to ensure that every animal receives the care, love, and opportunity for a forever home.
Hi, I’m Jordan Speyrer—a Lafayette native, animal lover, nature explorer, and proud mom.
For the past five years, my daughter Linden and I have traveled the country by van, camping under the stars and discovering beauty in every corner of the wild. Along the way, we discovered a shared passion for helping the most vulnerable among us—neonatal kittens.
Because of Brucey was born from that love. Inspired by one tiny life who left a lasting impact, this rescue is now a place of hope for fragile, at-risk kittens who wouldn’t survive without intervention. Linden and I work side by side—bottle-feeding, comforting, and cheering on these tiny fighters together. It’s a true labor of love that has deepened our bond and shaped our purpose.
As a Founding Circle Member and Board Member for Community Engagement, I’m passionate about connecting with others who care deeply about animals and want to make a difference. Through Because of Brucey, we’re not only saving lives—we’re also lifting up our community by offering education, resources, and support to those caring for kittens in need.
Every life matters. Every voice deserves to be heard.
Linden
Youth Ambassador | Honorary Board Advisor | Founding Circle Member
Meet Linden
Youth Ambassador | Honorary Board Advisor | Founding Circle Member
Linden is a 12-year-old animal lover with a heart as big as her dreams. Born on Earth Day, it’s no surprise she’s always felt a deep connection to animals and the world around her. Since she was very little, she’s known exactly what she wanted to be: an animal rescuer.
That dream became a mission when, at just 9 years old, Linden witnessed the devastating kitten crisis in South Louisiana. From that moment on, neonatal kittens became her calling.
Her journey took a powerful turn when, by the grace of God, she connected with Torie—the founder of Because of Brucey—during a phone call that neither of them knew would change their lives. The bond was instant. They quickly realized their missions were deeply aligned, and that they were placed in each other’s lives for a reason.
Today, Linden is a proud Youth Ambassador, Honorary Board Advisor, and a cherished member of Because of Brucey’s Founding Circle. She works side by side with her mother, a Founding Circle Member and our Board Member for Community Engagement, to bring compassion, education, and action to the forefront of our mission.
Linden is already a total pro at bottle-feeding neonatal kittens and plays a vital role in our daily rescue work. But her talents go even further—she’s also an incredible planner and organizer, regularly creating and leading her own fundraisers to support our life-saving programs. From hands-on care to behind-the-scenes logistics, Linden shows leadership far beyond her years.
Over the past five years, she’s traveled nearly half the country by van, camping under the stars and saving animals along the way. Her journey has been full of adventure, compassion, and countless lives touched—both human and feline.
And she’s just getting started.
Linden is also the founder of Kitty Quenchers, a youth-powered lemonade stand with a mission: to raise funds for spay/neuter efforts, support local caregivers, and inspire other kids to get involved in rescue work. Whether she’s bottle-feeding kittens or selling lemonade to fund their care, Linden is proving every day that you’re never too young to change the world.
Dr. Katie Habetz
Board Member/ Medical Advisor / Veterinarian Of Record
Dr. Maggie Placer
Board Member/ Consulting Veterinarian
Dr. Katie Habetz, DVM
Veterinary Advisor | Board Member
Because of Brucey
Dr. Katie Habetz, DVM, is a compassionate veterinarian, animal welfare advocate, and proud Louisiana native. A graduate of LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Katie serves as a practicing veterinarian at English Animal Clinic and as a Board Member of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA).
She has been a vital part of Because of Brucey since the very beginning — in fact, Dr. Katie is the veterinarian who helped founder Torie Roberts save Brucey, the tiny kitten who inspired the organization’s creation. Her belief in the mission — and in Torie’s vision — has never wavered.
Where many might advise euthanasia for fragile neonates, Dr. Katie has always believed in giving every life a fighting chance. She brings this heart, along with her deep medical expertise, to her role as Veterinary Advisor and Board Member. Dr. Katie helps guide our medical protocols, supports our 24/7 ICU operations, and advances our mission to expand access to veterinary care and life-saving services across Acadiana.
Because of her leadership and compassion, hundreds of kittens — and countless future animals — will have the opportunity to heal, grow, and find loving homes.
Dr. Maggie Placer, DVM
Consulting Veterinarian & Board Member
Founder, Placer Veterinary Care (Mobile Practice)
Dr. Maggie Placer is a licensed veterinarian and founder of Placer Veterinary Care, a mobile veterinary practice providing compassionate care across Acadiana. She is also the staff Veterinarian of the EveryCat Health Foundation (https://everycat.org/about/our-staff-and-board/#), an international leader in feline medicine and research.
Dr. Placer’s journey with Because of Brucey began when she was desperately trying to save a paralyzed mother cat who had just given birth. Knowing the fragile kittens needed round-the-clock bottle care, she reached out to Because of Brucey for help. That moment sparked a powerful partnership. As our team worked to stabilize the babies, Dr. Maggie and founder Torie Guilliot Roberts put their heads together—reaching out to LSU and using every resource possible to uncover what was truly wrong with the mother. Together, they saved lives and formed a lasting bond grounded in heart, grit, and determination.
Today, Dr. Placer serves as our Veterinary Medical Director, guiding ICU protocols, overseeing medical operations, and helping shape a new model of rescue grounded in both medical excellence and empathy. Her mobile practice continues to be a vital partner in our mission, bringing care where it’s needed most.
Interested in becoming part of our team?
Whether you want to volunteer or support our mission through donations, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more about volunteering or make a donation by contacting us today.
Email: admin@becauseofbrucey.org
At Because of Brucey, we are filled with heartfelt gratitude for the incredible team at Orgeron Veterinary Hospital, located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Their unwavering dedication and genuine compassion have made a profound impact on the lives of countless animals and their families in our community. From the moment you walk through their doors, you are greeted with warmth and kindness. Dr. Orgeron, Dr. J, and his staff go above and beyond to ensure that every pet receives the highest standard of care. Their expertise is matched only by their love for animals, creating a safe and nurturing environment for all furry patients.The testimonials from grateful pet owners speak volumes about the exceptional service provided by Orgeron Veterinary Hospital. Many have shared how the staff's compassion during difficult times has brought comfort and reassurance. This level of care not only enhances the health of our beloved pets but also fosters a sense of trust and partnership among pet owners.We deeply appreciate the hard work, dedication, and love that the entire team at Orgeron Veterinary Hospital pours into their practice every day. Thank you for being such an amazing ally in our mission to support animal welfare. Your commitment to excellence truly makes a difference in the lives of so many animals in need.
