by Diana Hockley
This week we are interviewing the founder of the Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in Saint Pauls, North Carolina.
KRL: Rescuing animals is a labor of love and total dedication. What was the catalyst for the creation of the Blind Cat Rescue, and when did it come into being?
CR: We started in 2005 to answer the need for a safe place to care for blind cats. At that time, blind cats were typically immediately euthanized in animal control facilities and by rescues.
KRL: What sort of set-up do you have?
CR: We have a shelter with seven rooms for the cats, a quarantine area, outside patios for each room, etc.
KRL: How many can you accommodate, and do you have different sections for specific cats – e.g., kittens?
CR: We are at full capacity right now with 92. We do not separate kittens, but we do have separate spaces for FIV+ and FELV+ cats.
KRL: Are you a registered charity for rescue or tax exemption purposes?
CR: Yes, we are a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit
KRL: How does the local community regard your activities, and are they supportive in adoption and/or monetary terms?
CR: We are in a tiny farming community of 2000… we get basically zero support from the local community.
KRL: Do you have many volunteers and how do you recruit them?
CR: We do not have many volunteers.
KRL: Rescues depend on donations from the public – do you charge a small fee for your animals when they are adopted? And do you have PayPal and credit card facilities?
CR: We do not adopt. And yes we do take Paypal.
KRL: What are the special challenges to rescuing blind cats?
CR: There are none: a blind cat has no idea they are blind, they know they are cats, they act like cats…
KRL: How many animals do you think you have saved so far?
CR: Personally? Over 150, plus we post on our Facebook page blind, FIV, FELV+ cats… a large percentage of them are saved from those postings. I have never kept track of the number.
KRL: Have you any fundraising or adoption events coming up?
CR: We have the ability for people to create their own fundraisers for their birthdays, etc., on our webpage: www.blindcatrescue.com.
KRL: Do local vet surgeries help in any way?
CR: She does give us a discount for her services.
KRL: What are your most urgent needs right now, and how can people help?
CR: The normal stuff: volunteers, money, supplies… Donations can be made on our website and we also have a wish list from which they can select and send supplies.
KRL: Do you have any other animals at your shelter, perhaps as pets or as rescues?
CR: We are located on a 24-acre farm. I personally have pigs, horses, a 11-year-old turkey named ET (evil turkey), guineas, and donkeys.
KRL: What is your website URL and FB and Twitter details?
CR: www.blindcatrescue.com, facebook.com/blindcatrescue, twitter.com/blindcatrescue, Instagram.com/blindcatrescue
We are located at: 3101 E Great Marsh Church Road, St. Pauls, NC 28384
Donation link: www.blindcatrescue.com
KRL: The mission statement for Blind Cat Rescue?
CR: Our mission is:
• To provide shelters and rescues with blind, FIV+ & FELV+ cats who are not able to find a suitable adoptive home for these animals an alternative to euthanizing them.
• To give people who are unable to continue caring for their blind, FIV+ & FELV+ cat, and who have been unable to place these animals with friends, relatives, or no-kill adoption groups a sanctuary where their animals will receive a lifetime of love and care.
• To educate the public regarding, blind, FIV+ and FELV+ cats.
Check out more animal related articles and stories in our Pet section.
Bless you! I have a “legally blind” cat who was turned into the local shelter I volunteer for. She lives happily in the safety of my house and is very affectionate.
Great article – Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary has my heart, to me it’s the happiest place on earth. I volunteer sometimes driving from Wilmington NC there. Also the picture of the person holding Scotty (white cat) is me. Thanks for writing this great article so that others can read what a great place BCR is.
Blind Cat Rescue is one of my Likes on facebook — getting more information on it is wonderful – I like to know backgrounds, population size etc. Lovely to read this in KRL, which I found through my first love, Cat House on the Kings, and therefore subscribe to KRL’s articles! Cats of all sizes, shapes, colors and idiosyncrasies are my passion….. >^..^< 🙂
If i was a blind, FIV or FELV cat I would love to have BCR (Blind Cat Rescue) as my forever home. My room would be so so clean. The food is out of this world. We have the latest and best of toys to play with. Our restrooms are cleaned all day long. I would have my year checks at the vets and if I was sick, they stop at nothing to find out and treat my medical condition.