When we began The Neighbor’s Cat, our aim was to go to and overview each cat cafe on the planet. We wished to advertise ‘cat journey’ and shine a light-weight on these small companies making the world a greater place for cats and folks all over the place!
It’s nonetheless our important focus, however over the course of the previous 12 months, we now have discovered ourselves evolving into vocal advocates for cat rescue and adoption, particularly the cat cafes that function adoptable felines.
So whereas The Goathouse Refuge isn’t technically a cat cafe, it’s doing superb work caring for kitties ready for a eternally house and we need to promote this worthy trigger!
Located in rural Pittsboro, NC, USA, The Goathouse Cat Refuge is roughly 45 minutes drive from the close by cities of Greensboro and Raleigh. According to the web site, they’re a ‘501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill animal sanctuary devoted to offering cage-free look after cats no matter age, medical points or disposition till a everlasting loving adoptive house could be discovered’.
I had heard of Goathouse Refuge earlier than, because the founder, Siglinda Scarpa was featured in a New York Times article and on The Today Show. She is deeply dedicated to enhancing the lives of cats and has created an extremely particular house to accommodate her furry expenses.
When I discovered how shut the sanctuary was to my accomplice’s household house in close by Sanford, I made plans to go to on a Friday afternoon in early March with member of the family, Peg.
The refuge is about again just a few miles off the principle highway, however is well discovered within the maps perform of any good telephone. After parking, we entered an enormous gate and adopted a gravel path surrounded by peaceable scenes of budding timber and grazing goats. A black kitty appeared and walked alongside us as we neared the principle constructing, our personal private escort!
Inside the principle constructing, there’s a sanitizing station and bulletin boards that includes the cats obtainable for adoption.
After a fast look, we stepped inside a surprisingly massive room with colourful partitions, tall ceilings and cats.
Lots and plenty of cats!
It’s tough to explain how I felt after I first walked in, as there have been so many cute cats that I wished to squeal with pleasure, however so many candy infants wished to be petted that I used to be additionally a bit heartbroken.
Peg and I spent an excessive amount of time providing mild head rubs and candy phrases to all people who gathered round us. Compared to the residents of cat cafes, these felines have been undoubtedly extra affection in search of.
There seemed to be over 100 cats on this space, many having a day snooze. They have been free to maneuver in regards to the room as they wished, and aside from just a few in cages attributable to sickness, a lot of the kitties seemed to be wholesome. With that a lot catitude in a single room, a few small tiffs broke out between some feisty felines, however general, issues have been pretty calm and quiet.
I used to be impressed at how clear issues have been, a testomony to the dedication of the volunteers that help on the refuge. While strolling round, I met Helen, who was busy getting ready just a few kitties for adoption decide up, however generously took the time to assist reply my questions. Thanks Helen!
Later, as we checked out the again room, I observed a number of cat flaps resulting in the outside.
It was a complete new world, with much more kitties!
There have been many beautiful felines roaming the out of doors, but fenced-in space. Several adopted us round, accepting head rubs and ear scratches after we bent over to supply them.
I used to be thrilled to see this expansive space custom-built for cats. It gives them an area to get away from folks and different cats, in addition to categorical their pure cat habits akin to searching and scratching, all in a secure surroundings. And on this specific day, the climate was excellent for being outdoors!
With all this cuteness, I used to be smitten at each flip, however there was one cat that fully stole my coronary heart, and her identify is Coconut.
With her fluffy tail and smooth fur, this lovable lady caught my consideration as she adopted me round whereas I snapped photographs of the out of doors cattery. So, we frolicked and performed for awhile.
After we left, I couldn’t get her off my thoughts. Even although I’ve grown accustomed to emotions of unhappiness over not having the ability to undertake my very own cat (as I’m at the moment touring full-time), I actually wished to do one thing for this candy kitty.
So, as a birthday current to me the next week, my accomplice sponsored her!
If you might be in North Carolina and studying this, please think about adopting Coconut. I’d be eternally grateful and I do know you received’t be disenchanted! Click here for the link to her page.
Even in case you aren’t from North Carolina, think about a go to or donation to help these fantastic of us and felines.
We are off to Asia for a six week cat cafe tour of Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Hong Kong. But with household close by, we undoubtedly plan on returning to this superb place in the summertime.
In the meantime, I’ll be excited about my candy Coconut.
The Neighbor’s Cat is a complete world cat cafe useful resource with first-hand evaluations, attention-grabbing articles and an intensive picture gallery of the cutest cats on the planet. On a quest to go to each cat cafe (137 in 23 international locations up to now) on this planet, The Neighbor’s Cat can assist you discover the proper cafe to enrich your travels.
The Neighbor’s Cat is the alter ego of Paula LaBine, an itinerant cat lover who writes about cat cafes, rescue/adoption & TNR, and has been featured in Miau Magazine, Katzenworld Blog, The Catnip Times and Taiwan Scene. She is at the moment on a quest to go to each cat café on this planet, 217 in 29 international locations up to now! Find her at theneighborscat.com or on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @catcafeviews.
