Mia's Mafia - cat adoption and TNR to help as many cats as possible!

Our Stonehenge customers should recognize this next group! Mia's Mafia is a regular user of the Cat Shack adoption area there and their cats are always popular. Mia's Mafia has been a regular Spring Fling attendee since they formed, and we are excited to have them back this year.

Mia's Mafia is inspired by Mia- a tiny, grumpy, hospice foster cat, meaning she was diagnosed with many medical issues. The people around her fell in love and wanted to make a difference for cats in need like Mia. The way they decided to do that is through Trap-Neuter-Return (commonly abbreviated as TNR) which is a process to spay and neuter feral cats and return them to the area where they were trapped (as often as possible). Community cats like these often have dedicated caretakers and are very much loved. Just because a cat doesn't want human interaction, doesn't mean they don't deserve to live their life as happy and healthy as possible!

True feral cats are very happy out in their environment. They can always use a little help, in the form of someone to provide regular meals and bring them to a vet for medical care when they need it. Being spayed or neutered is also a huge help for these cats. Intact cats are more likely to get into fights during the breeding season and often sustain injuries or contract FIV. Additionally, feral cats are the main contributors of unwanted kittens that flood shelters and rescues during "kitten season" every year. Unlike their adult counterparts, kittens have a hard time surviving outside with predators, cars, inclement weather, and the people who view them as a nuisance.

While the TNR program is a huge part of the Mia's Mafia mission, they often come across cats who are not actually feral. These cats are usually former pets who were dumped or abandoned and left to fend for themselves. It's easy to spot these guys, even the ones who are too scared to be friendly. Where their true feral friends are well-kept and have good body conditions, pet cats who have been abandoned don't have the skills to survive without human help. They are often dirty and thin since they are not able to hunt well, and they aren't accustomed to caring for themselves outside. As much as possible, Mia's Mafia takes these cats in and puts them up for adoption after taking care of their medical needs. One of their cats who was in that type of situation is Tiramisu! This adorable little lady, pictured here, has stayed in the Cat Shack a couple times and is somehow still looking for her perfect match.

Make sure to stop by the Mia's Mafia booth at Spring Fling and see how you can help! You can check out all of their adoptable cats on their website and make sure to follow their social media channels, Facebook and Instagram, to keep up with their activities and projects!

A cat haven in Pittsboro - The Goathouse Refuge

The Goathouse Refuge is another rescue group that has been joining us at Spring Fling for several years now and we are pleased to have them attending again this year! Their Spring Fling regular Julie, says that she loves the event and always enjoys seeing all the different non-profit groups and vendors, and of course, all the dogs!

Though the name brings farm animals to mind, Goathouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill animal sanctuary that is "dedicated to providing cage-free care for cats regardless of age, medical issues or disposition until a permanent loving adoptive home can be found." For those who may not be suited to life in a typical home, whether because of medical issues or feral cats who prefer to stick to their wild ways, Goathouse is their permanent home where they can live as they please and be loved and cared for just the way they are.

Founder, Siglinda Scarpa, established The Goathouse Refuge in 2006 and continues to be an avid supporter. You can see her pottery and other work in a gallery at the refuge. Additionally, they sell coffee and all proceeds go towards care of the cats!

As of 2022, The Goathouse Refuge is shifting their focus to bring attention and aid to several groups of cats that are more underserved and traditionally overlooked; those who are older, or semi-feral, or who have special needs. These cats do get adopted but much less frequently than young cats who are "easy" to care for. As a result, this population ranks among the highest portions of euthanized cats in our nations shelters.

"Consider the cats who have been faithful beloved companions for many years, only to be put out in the street or taken to a kill shelter when their humans can no longer care for them. Our goal will be to bring public awareness and sympathy to this group of cats, so that these animals receive the dignity and respect they have always deserved and so often have not received. We hope that this new focus as a place of last resort will change the discourse about and treatment of our elderly feline companions."

Of course, all the cats that currently call Goathouse home, even outside the populations of their new focus, will continue to live there and be cared for until they find an adoptive home. So if you are looking for a cat or two to complete your family, check out the cats at The Goathouse Refuge! You can stop by in person on Fridays by appointment, and Saturday & Sunday from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

Check them out on on their website, Facebook, and Instagram!

Facilitate Rescue, Inc!

Saving Homeless Cats - 9 lives at a time

Looking to become a new cat owner or to foster then Facilitate Rescue may have what you are looking for.

Facilitate Rescue Inc is a cat rescue based in Harnett County, North Carolina. With the help of fosters, volunteers and donations, they rescue many cats and kittens each year from the Harnett County Shelter in Lillington, NC. They also take in kittens and cats from the community. Facilitate Rescue is dedicated to saving cats in danger of euthanasia. Each cat that comes into the rescue goes into a foster home where they are socialized and nurtured until ready for their fur-ever home.

Check out their website Facilitate Rescue Inc

Follow them on Facebook to keep up to date with their events!

Click image below to check out more of their adoptables!