Dear faithful supporters of the Goathouse Refuge,

This week, I turned 82 years old and for the past 22 years developed the Goathouse Refuge into the outstanding example for the cage-free care of kittens and cats. Other organizations have looked to us for inspiration and guidance, and we have always been delighted to give them the time and attention they have needed. As I have explained in my previous e-letters to you, the one thing in life that is constant is change. And as I have aged and felt the encroaching depredations of my years, I have thought more and more about our cats that seem to be always overlooked and never adopted by visitors to the Goathouse. These tend to be our older cats, or shy cats, or cats with special needs, and often include once feral cats that have never been fully socialized. These cats are much less likely to be adopted than younger, friendly, healthy, or outgoing cats

This situation is as unfair as it is unfortunate, and I feel the Goathouse can make a real difference in bringing attention to cats that seem to be unadoptable. Many can find homes with patient, caring individuals. And those that cannot still deserve the respect and consideration that the Goathouse can provide for them with a safe and comfortable environment in which they can spend the remainder of their lives. Without this kind of sanctuary, these cats simply will not survive.

Therefore, the Goathouse is changing its focus from a refuge driven to adopt out as many cats and kittens as possible to a sanctuary for cats that have no other place to seek solace and care. And for this stage in my life, this refocusing makes great sense as I simply do not have the energy I had when I was a mere 60.

The Goathouse has over 100 cats that fall in the “very unlikely to be adopted” category. Mama Luna, Toby, and Little Feller are prime examples:

Mama Luna was brought to the Goathouse 20 years ago. Mama Luna is a sweet, beautiful cat, but very shy. At 20 years old she also has glaucoma in one eye.

Toby is 16-17 years old. Toby is a big cat that was rescued near Highway 64 years ago when he was nothing but “fur and bones”. Toby is not shy and has no special needs. He loves to be petted. He was just overlooked through the years. (A recent letter focused on “Charlie Brown” cats that are not socially forward and often become overlooked “wall flowers”.)

Little Feller is an experienced house cat who arrived at the Refuge with his pals Spunk, Socks, and Jag (all now adopted) after their owner could no longer care for them. He is a handsome tiger-striped boy who’s very affectionate and sweet, and he can’t wait to have his own home again. (Age 14 years.)

And what about all the caring humans who have older or shy or timid or special needs cats? What will happen to these cats if their humans can not care for them? This is another aspect of the Goathouse’s rebranding as a Sanctuary. As long as prior arrangements have been made to provide and pay for their care, the Goathouse will accept these cats, or adopt them out if possible, according to the wishes of their humans and, of course, according to what is best for the cats.

Most people are unaware that there is often little recourse for cats that have not or cannot find forever homes. The Goathouse plans to focus on these cats and be a sanctuary for them for the remainder of their lives, and to bring public attention to their collective plight. We realize that expanding this special service will also need substantial, ongoing resources; but we hope this focused approach will prompt more organizations to open their hearts and their doors for these otherwise truly forsaken and deserted cats.

We also will need your support to carry out our refined mission and hope you too will open your hearts and help us make this new mission take root and flourish. And I am mindful that many longtime supporters have never visited the Goathouse. I urge both those of you who have never visited, and those who have, to come now and sit with me to hear of our plans. I would love to get to know you personally and have you meet the charming, older cats who bring meaning to our new name, Goathouse Sanctuary.

Siglinda

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Goathouse Refuge:  680 Alton Alston Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312

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