Part three about my visit to the Goathouse Refuge...
Doesn't this one just melt your heart?
All these cats have names and the volunteers seemed to know every single cat! So many unique and beautiful cats - it was a lot of fun to take photos of them.
One of my “if I won the lottery and didn’t have to work” fantasies is to have an animal sanctuary so it was very interesting to actually see one in person. So ideal to have so much space for the cats to run and play! I’d always wondered how you would fence in an outdoor area for cats (who are such good climbers) and it’s very simple – the fence curves in and over at the top. One of the volunteers told me that the Goathouse cats don’t usually try to escape over the fence, and who can blame them?
This cat had the most blue beautiful eyes but she was a little bit shy. I didn't get to pet her.
I bet I petted 50 cats that day. It wasn’t like I had to coax these cats into letting me pet them...many of them came running up and demanded to be petted! It was funny. Like this one who is saying, "Put that stupid camera down and pet me!"
Some of them had no interest in posing at all and I got a bunch of photos like these two:
After I visited the Refuge, I started thinking about the word "sanctuary" and looked it up in the dictionary.
SANCTUARY
~a sacred or holy place.
~the part of a church around the high altar
~a tract of land where wildlife can take refuge
Synonyms: church, temple, altar, refuge, shrine (!)
And then I looked up REFUGE:
~a place of shelter, safety, and protection.
Synonyms: sanctuary, haven
Very interesting that somewhere along the way, someone made the connection between holiness and taking care of animals!
I had such a wonderful time visiting this place but by the time I left, my heart was very heavy. I'm so happy for the Goathouse cats but I couldn't help but think about all the animals who aren't so lucky. And while it's so awesome that this Refuge exists, it's sad that it HAS to exist.
I would MUCH rather have my tax dollars go to a place like this instead of to public shelters that kill the animals. It's just so wrong, and there's got to be a better way. I recently read a good article about how Austin, Texas has made enormous strides towards its goal to be a "No Kill" city and that gives me hope. But I also read some very depressing statistics about how high the euthanasia rate is in North Carolina and how little time homeless animals are given in public shelters before they are killed. It blows my mind that so many in our society see these amazing animals as disposable.
And no, I didn't come home with another cat but boy was I tempted. I did make a donation, bought some raffle tickets, and also bought a copy of Siglinda Scarpa's Fig Festival Cookbook that she published with all proceeds going to the cats. It's an awesome collection of Italian recipes, and I can't wait for fig season so I can make her fig gelato!
I didn't see any kittens but one of the volunteers said that two abandoned litters were on the way and after I visited, I discovered that the Goathouse Refuge has a photo page on Flickr where they've posted some kitten photos. There's a little orange and white kitty named Cheerio who has captured my heart! Here he is with his sister Yvette.
Kathy, if you lived closer I'd take you to the Goathouse Refuge to meet Cheerio and Yvette. :)
When I left, this family was arriving and these kids were so excited. I really hope that they found a cat or two to adopt.
Here is what Siglinda Scarpa wrote about her vision and dream in the Goathouse Refuge brochure:
"So I formulated a dream ... a dream of a sanctuary for cats. This would be another chance; a safe haven for cats that were dispossessed or scheduled for euthanasia by public shelters. In my dream, no cat would be euthanized unless it was suffering with no hope of recovery. The Refuge would be a place where even cats that were unadoptable could live in comfort, with the care, attention and love they deserve. No cat would be refused due to age, illness or disposition.
The ultimate goal for each cat would be adoption into a loving home. But the Refuge would be designed so that they could spend ample periods of time living comfortably, awaiting adoption. In fact, it would be designed so that a cat could spend years, or its entire lifetime, at the Refuge."
Comments (18)
Hi Annie! Little Cherrio & Yvette are soooo adorable! They also melted my heart. I think they would be so perfect for me! It is definitely too bad that NC is so far. I clicked on her flicker album and she has so many kittens up for adoption. I saw one kitty that looked just like your Maria!
I want to go check her website to see where I can send a donation, because little Cherrio and Yvette really got to me. They all did. Based on her quote, she puts such care into not just having a place for them to live but she created a place where they can have a very good quality of life while they wait to be adopted. And as you pointed out, Holiness and the care of animals do go together!
Thank you so much Annie for these past three posts to raise awareness and bring attention to Siglinda's wonderful Goathouse Refuge and cause.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 3, 2009 10:11 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 22:11
Hi Kathy, thanks so much. Isn't Cheerio a great name for a kitten? That photo of him climbing just cracked me up when I saw it. I like the ones of him sleeping while leaning on the toy tree too.
You are right - the emphasis on quality of life is another thing that is so great about this sanctuary. I'm so glad you enjoyed these posts; it really is such a special place.
Posted by Annie | June 4, 2009 12:03 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 00:03
Hi Annie: Great, thoughtful post and photos that make my heart melt. I'd say there's a Cheerio in your future! menehune
PS: When hiking in Punchbowl on Oahu, I was amazed at all the 'homeless' cats and kittens in the woods. I'd never seen this population before. A car pulled up and streams (not exaggerating) of cats and kittens came out of the woods to the car - a woman filled bowls of dry food and water for them. Apparently, it's a ritual for her and them. So, I understand when you write it makes you sad yet glad. I felt the same way about someone taking care of these animals but so sad that many are living like this. menehune
Posted by menehune | June 4, 2009 7:47 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 07:47
Hi Annie, Cherrio is a very cute name and perfect for the little guy. I must have missed the one of him sleeping with the toy. I saw one kitten leaning on the scratching pole sleeping which was cute too. I'll have to look through her album again to find the other photo of him.
Thanks Annie! Have a great day today!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 4, 2009 8:58 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 08:58
Menuhune, thanks for sharing that story about the Hawaiian cats - I bet that was quite a sight! Yes, "sad but glad" is the perfect description of the way it makes us feel.
LOL about a Cheerio in my future! I AM wondering if I should stick with two cats or expand the family. :)
Kathy, there are several photos of him sleeping in the tree (which is also a scratching post) so I bet you did see it. Here's a link to one of them. What a cutie! And yes, there is one kitten that looks SO much like Maria did when she was little!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goathouse/3591038398/
Posted by Annie | June 4, 2009 9:43 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 09:43
Annie, I loved this series of entries. Very thoughtful and compassionate pieces. And the photos are gorgeous, cats and goats both!
What a wonderful place, I can totally see my M running an animal sanctuary when she grows up. (She wants to be a vet, and has a real way with animals.)
Your comment about "someone made the connection between holiness and taking care of animals!" makes me think of St. Francis :)
Posted by Anne | June 4, 2009 9:50 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 09:50
Anne, thanks. You are so right...St. Francis made that connection, didn't he?!
And that would be so wonderful if your daughter ends up doing something like this. It would be ideal to have a vet degree (and all the knowledge that comes with that) and run a sanctuary!
Posted by Annie | June 4, 2009 10:44 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 10:44
Annie, I have always had a very soft spot in my heart for animals, so your series of posts about the cat and goat sanctuary really struck a chord in my heart.
I too would love to start a sanctuary like that. They all look so happy.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and photos with us.
Posted by nancyhol | June 4, 2009 11:07 AM
Posted on June 4, 2009 11:07
Nancy, thank you. It was such an amazing place that really touched my heart too. I'm glad I got to share it with other animal lovers!
Posted by Annie | June 4, 2009 2:08 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 14:08
What a nice series about the sanctuary - I wish David were not allergic to cats, we are going to be pet free for awhile I think.
Posted by Marcia | June 4, 2009 3:45 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 15:45
Hi Annie, I did miss that one. Thanks so much for the link. He's adorable and so are the other two kitties. It's so cute how he is able to sleep standng up like that. :) And now back to take a 3rd look...
Thanks again Annie for these wonderful entries! Have a great Friday and Weekend!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 5, 2009 8:13 AM
Posted on June 5, 2009 08:13
Marcia, thanks. I know several people who are taking a little hiatus from pets for a while and can completely understand. It would be hard for me though!
Kathy, isn't he hilarious? I love the sleeping pose too. I think that kittens play so hard that that they crash in any position!
Happy Friday to you too and have a great weekend!
Posted by Annie | June 5, 2009 9:21 AM
Posted on June 5, 2009 09:21
I loved this post Annie. Each cat cuter than the last one! I am so happy that a place like this exists. Recently I was at our local SPCA,a no kill shelter. I was really upset by the number of unwanted/abandoned/mistreated animals that I saw. I wish that they, too, had a safe place to roam freely!
Posted by sheri | June 6, 2009 10:12 PM
Posted on June 6, 2009 22:12
Such sweet and cute kittens! They are all precious!
My brother's neighbors have two cats that they adopted (showed up at their front door) and they have to keep them outdoors due to allergies. They re-fenced their back yard to put a fence like the one you mentioned (that goes inward) in order to keep them safe.
I enjoyed all the photos and your posts about the sanctuary. What a heavenly paradise this woman has created to so many cats and goats.
Happy Sunday!
Posted by María I. | June 7, 2009 4:24 PM
Posted on June 7, 2009 16:24
There is a big problem here in Hawaii with abandoned cats and dogs. I don't understand how people can dump them on the side of the road but it happens. This is a great place. Too bad there aren't more. Cheerio and Yvette are adorable.
Posted by girasoli | June 7, 2009 10:34 PM
Posted on June 7, 2009 22:34
Sheri, I know what you mean. It's heart-breaking to see or read about so many of these animals. And now with the lousy economy, so many people are giving up their pets. Just so sad.
Maria, that's great that your neighbors were able to keep the cats!
Girasoli, I just can't get my mind around dumping animals. Most people I've talked to think that Maria was probably dumped by the side of the highway where my brother and nephews found her. Unreal (but I'm so glad they found her for me!).
Posted by Annie | June 8, 2009 8:37 AM
Posted on June 8, 2009 08:37
Hi Annie, I couldn't resist taking another look at this wonderful sanctuary and of Cherrio sleeping standing up on the tree! :) so cute! I'm so glad that your brother and nephews resecued Maria and brought her to you.
Thanks again for these really great posts and photos. Very inspiring!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 9, 2009 9:05 AM
Posted on June 9, 2009 09:05
Kathy, you are too funny! I can relate though - I've been clicking over to look at little orange Cheerio too. They have been updating their Flickr site pretty regularly and it's fun to see new cat photos.
Yes, I am so grateful that they rescued Maria! We were talking about it this weekend when my nephews were over. They love to tell the story about how their daddy pulled over, waved his arms to stop traffic, and ran out and scooped up little Maria!
Thanks again Kathy and hope you're having a great week.
Posted by Annie | June 9, 2009 9:41 AM
Posted on June 9, 2009 09:41