Sponsor a Coffee Cat

Meet some of our Special Needs kitties. Oscar had to have an eye and leg removed. Patches requires a daily bath. Princess uses special kitty litter because of skin allergies. Toast & Mittens needed extensive dental care. Due to advanced age, health, physical or temperament issues, the chance of adoption for these cats is considerably lower than our other cats and many of them will likely be lifelong residents at the Goathouse Refuge. For a tax-deductible donation in your name or that of a loved one, you can sponsor one of our special needs or feral cats.

A contribution of $30 per month, about the same amount that many people spend on their daily coffee habit, will provide food, veterinary care and litter for your new friend, and greatly help the refuge to continue to operate.

Do you know someone who wants to help the cats, but...

• is allergic?
• travels too much?
• lives near a busy road?
• or already has a house full?

A donation to a special needs cat in their name would make a lovely gift. Donate securely via PayPal, and email siglinda@earthlink.net with the name of your cat and for additional details.

Meet a few of our cats needing sponsorship:
Patches | Oscar | Endora | Princess | Spazzacamino | Toast & Mittens

View other donation and gift options.

Thank you for supporting the Goathouse Refuge!

Cats of the Week: Oliver and Danimals

UPDATE: Danimals has been adopted, and Oliver went into a foster home.

We are in urgent need of foster homes or permanent homes for these two sweet and stressed-out kitties!

Oliver and Danimals were rescued from a public shelter a couple of months ago. While they are both friendly and love people, they are not very comfortable living at the Refuge. There are simply too many other cats, and it makes them unhappy and scared.

Oliver is a handsome tabby gentleman, about 6 years old. Danimals is a young and petite tabby girl with a cute round face. Both of them love to be petted. We think they will be wonderful companions once they are in safe and loving homes where they can relax and be happy.

Please consider opening your home and your heart to these nice cats!

See more photos of Danimals.

See more photos of Oliver.

Dr. Lucy's Healing Touch

Lucy (formerly known as Heather when she was at the Goathouse Refuge) was adopted by Eugene and Mary of Chapel Hill on November 9, 2009. That day is when the love affair between Lucy and Gene began. Each was thoroughly entranced by the other. Lucy would watch Gene get dressed every morning, and once he was comfortably located in his favorite armchair, she would proceed to give him his hairdo for the day. Gene remembered time by "before we got Lucy" and "after we got Lucy."

On December 11, 2010, Gene had a massive heart attack and was taken by ambulance to North Carolina Memorial Hospital where he currently resides in the Intensive Care Unit. After sedating him heavily for the first 48 hours, the medical staff is currently working to revive his responses. While he responds mildly to the names of family members, it has been noted that he responds most actively when the name "LUCY" is mentioned.

It is our hope that Lucy will be able to visit Gene in the hospital when he is transferred to a private room. In the meantime, Lucy's veterinarian has suggested that the family bring one of Lucy's toys or blankets for him to hold....better yet, a piece of her fur.

Medical science has made amazing discoveries, but it is when Gene holds Lucy in his lap that his ailing heart is provided with what it most needs. Nothing is as important as what is HEARTFELT.

Happy Tails: Diotima and Ornella

We wanted to wish everyone at Goathouse Refuge a Merry Christmas!

Dee Dee and Bella (formerly Diotima and Ornella) are doing very well and seem very happily adjusted to our family. My four children and I all love cats, so we love to visit Goathouse Refuge to socialize and play with the kitties whenever possible. We decided to adopt one of our favorites, a cat named Diotima, whom we renamed DeeDee because the kids could never pronounce Diotima :) We also were blessed to bring home a sweet little cat named Ornella (who is now Bella), who needed a loving home and lots of attention from little children, which we certainly provide!

DeeDee and Bella get along well, and they have become buddies with our 15 year old cat Calvin. The children absolutely love them, and the feeling is mutual. They look forward to playing with DeeDee and Bella every day, and DeeDee is exceptionally playful. We recently discovered that they love to chase a little red laser light! Bella is a little lover who loves to be by your side and also loves to snuggle. Both DeeDee and Bella often like to sleep on our beds at night, and the kids love it when one of them chooses their bed to sleep on! We are delighted to have these cats as members of our family. Thank you to Siglinda and all the staff and volunteers at Goathouse Refuge for all that you do.

Meet Sterling!

UPDATE: Sterling has been adopted. Yay!

Sterling is a foster kitten with a Goathouse Refuge volunteer and does not live at the refuge. He acts like a little puppy, following people around the house to see what they are doing. He was found unfixed and shivering in the cold outside an apt. complex in Durham. He's very friendly and purrs if you just look at him. He likes to be held and cuddled. He’s very playful and his kitten antics provide lots of entertainment. He's good with other cats and probably good with kids because he's so outgoing. He's a little nervous around dogs but could easily be trained. He should go to a home with other pets because he gets lonesome without a playmate. Approx DOB Spring 2010. Email his foster family at 6babykittens@gmail.com.

Happy Tails: Laura

A note from Laura's new mom:

Just a little update on Laura. She is doing beautifully, eating well of course, with extra bits of this and that, her coat is so soft and smooth and shiny - must be the good food she eats. Josie and she do very well together, and Laura is always running up and down the stairs and stays very busy. She is very, very gentle, loves all the people that come into my house and is very affectionate. Both kitties sleep with me most nights - all cuddled up and they both have their favorite chairs to lounge on during the day in the livingroom.

I am so glad that I fully adopted Laura now - she is a joy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both and your families. May next year be the best year ever.

Love,
Sue

Cat of the Week: Ringo

Ringo has been at the Refuge for three years now. He came as part of a litter of kittens (John, Paul, George, and Ringo) in December 2007 when he was about one month old. Paul and George were adopted together, and John passed away in summer of 2009. Ringo is still waiting for his family to come for him.

Ringo is very exotic looking with a sleek grey coat and large shiny green eyes. He's an easy going and friendly cat who gets along with everyone. His high-pitched meow sounds so funny coming from such a manly guy! Ringo is very much a cat...independent, intelligent, curious, and wonderful in his own way. Please consider opening your home and your heart to this fine fellow.

See more photos of Ringo.

Chatham Studio Tour: First Two Weekends in December

Please visit the Goathouse Gallery during the 18th Annual Chatham Studio Tour.

1st weekend
Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5, 10am-5pm

2nd weekend
Saturday, December 11 & Sunday, December 12, 10am-5pm

Come see Siglinda's wonderful pottery, tiles, and sculpture. Purchase a holiday gift for that special person on your list, and the proceeds will benefit the Goathouse Refuge. What could be better!

And please stop by the Refuge to pet some kitties!

Cat of the Week: Alex

If you come to visit the Goathouse Refuge, you are sure to meet Alex! He's an out-going and curious guy who wants to make friends with everyone he meets. Alex is a handsome orange and white boy who was rescued from a kill shelter just before his time was up. He's happy to be alive and is ready to find a family to call his very own. Approx. date of birth: March 2008. Come meet this wonderful fellow soon!

View more photos of Alex.

Brotherly Love

More "happy tails" photos from Tom and Jerry's new dad. We are so glad that these brother cats were adopted together (and it looks like they are pretty happy about it too!).

Cat of the Week: Victoria

Victoria is a wonderful and sprightly little babydoll cat. Her round cheeks, pink nose, and tuxedo markings make her extra adorable. She can be a little bit shy at first but once you make friends with her, she loves to be petted on her back and she makes cute little meows when she talks to you. Victoria is one of the 18 cats who came to the Refuge from New York after their owner died. She would love to come curl up happily in your home. Please consider adding Victoria to your life today.

See more photos of Victoria.

Happy Tails: Yoko and Ono

Thank you to Yoko and Ono's new family for sending this update and these cute photos!

"The kitties are great. They've made a smooth transition...we love them.

Both cats are eating well and seem to be adjusting to life inside pretty well. All in all, incredibly smooth. We (and the cats) are so happy."

Happy Tails: Tom and Jerry!

We were so happy to get this update from Tom and Jerry's dad. Tom made a quick adjustment to his new home, while Jerry was very shy at first. But he's come out of hiding now! It's so nice to see these wonderful brothers enjoying the comforts of home.

"Tom and Jerry are doing great! Jerry has come out of his shell...but
hides whenever anyone else comes over. He and Tom play all day...and sometimes in the night. They follow me all over the house and Tom sleeps above my head on my pillow. Jerry sleeps at the foot of the bed or in a pet bed.

I am quite pleased with these loyal companions!"

Tom snoozing



Jerry coming closer



Brotherly love and breakfast

Cat of the Week: Paulette

This is such a sweet girl! Paulette came to the Refuge as a kitten in the fall of 2008, along with her mom Princess and eight brothers and sisters. She’s a friendly and affectionate cat with vivid green eyes and beautiful black and white tuxedo markings. Paulette has very interesting and distinctive feet - happy harlequin feet with black and white all swirled together.

Paulette loves attention, and she has a warm and comforting purr which you'll hear when you hold her. She gets along great with other cats and would make the perfect companion for someone who is looking to grow their pet family. Paulette would love to have a home of her own where she can be a beloved lapcat. Please come meet this wonderful cat soon!

See more photos of Paulette.

Saturday November 6: Kitty Cat Boogie

Woods Charter School presents the Kitty Cat Boogie to benefit the Goathouse Refuge. Come enjoy live music featuring Cole Park, Old 86, Morgan's End, and Schooner. Desserts, drinks, pizzas and samosas will be available.

Saturday, November 6th from 5 pm until 10 pm

Cost:
18+: $10
10-17: $7
9 and under: free

Woods Charter School
160 Woodland Grove Lane
Chapel Hill, NC

Cat of the Week: Sarge

Sarge came to us in 2008 from a farm colony of more than 80 cats in Duplin County. Many of them were killed by neighbors and their dogs. Sarge was one of the lucky ones, although an attack from a dog left him with a badly dislocated right paw. Fortunately for Sarge, some very generous people donated money in order for him to have surgery, and he's doing just fine now.

You might think that all of the stress would have broken Sarge's spirit. Nope. He's one of the most loving cats you'll ever meet. He enjoys sitting on a warm lap and being petted. If you stop petting him for one second, he'll kindly remind you by extending his paw and pulling your hand back towards him. His charming meow and chubby cheeks make it impossible to say no to this little man.

Sarge is a friendly and beautiful cat who would love to find a safe indoor/outdoor home with a loving family. Come meet him soon!

View more photos of Sarge.

Article about the Refuge

CATS ROAM FREE AT THE GOATHOUSE REFUGE

An article about the Refuge in The Examiner. Thank you to author Barbara Kohn. More of Barbara's articles about cats can be found here.

Cat of the Week: Topaz

This beautiful cat is a real jewel. Topaz was rescued from a kill shelter just before her time was up, and she has made herself right at home at the Refuge. She's a lovely girl with a luxurious coat that's blue-grey in color with peach swirls. An easy-going and extremely sweet young cat, Topaz gets along with everyone and loves when you pay attention to her. She will be so happy to have a person and lap of her very own. Please come meet this wonderful girl soon! Approx DOB January 2009.

View more photos of Topaz.

Saturday, October 23: La Pizza di Pulcinella

Cat of the Week: Storm

Storm came to the Goathouse as a tiny kitten in the summer of 2009, and he's grown up to be a friendly and easy-going young cat. He's a handsome fellow with shiny black fur and a spot of white on his chest; we can tell him apart from his twin sister, Luka Moon, because he's the one with the white whiskers. There's been something very endearing about Storm ever since he was a baby. He's loving, lovable, and gets along with other cats. He would be a wonderful addition to your family!

View more photos of Storm.

National Feral Cat Day (October 16)

October 16 is the 10th annual National Feral Cat Day. Click on the Alley Cat Allies banner below to learn more.

There are a number of feral cats who live at the Goathouse Refuge; meet some of our Feral Friends here. You might want to consider making a donation in honor of one of these cats. Or you can sponsor one or more of them through the Goathouse Coffee Cats program.

No More Homeless Pets Conference

This weekend, thousands of animal lovers are attending the No More Homeless Pets conference in Las Vegas, sponsored by Best Friends Animal Society.

You can follow along on the NMHP conference blog.

Cat of the Week: Matthew

UPDATE: Matthew was adopted in January 2011. Yay!

Meet Matthew, one of our amazing teenage cats! Matthew came to the Refuge as a kitten in the summer of 2009, and he's grown into a wonderful and loving young fellow with a gentle personality. His siblings (Mark, Luke, and Martha) have all been adopted but Matthew is still waiting for his family to come for him. You just can't go wrong with a cat like this one - Matthew is friendly and affectionate, loves being held and petted, and gets along with everyone (people and other cats alike). He will be a wonderful addition to your family. Come meet Matthew soon! (Approx DOB: May 2009)

See more photos of Matthew.

Happy Tails: Gloria

A sweet note from Gloria's new family:

To all the wonderful people at the Goathouse Refuge,

Thank you all so much for your help in finding Gloria for our family. She is doing great and making herself at home. We got her home and immediately she began rubbing against everything. I knew it was a good sign when I saw she was more interested in exploring than hiding. She follows me everywhere.

Here is a picture of her with a purple mouse toy she started playing with not too long after she checked out her new home. I'm so happy the transition seemed to be a breeze for her, and we love having her a part of the family.

Once again, thank you!

Love Meow!

Check out this feature article about the Goathouse Refuge on the beautiful website, Love Meow!

Not only is Love Meow "a blog for ultimate cat lovers," they donate 5 cents for every comment to rescue groups like the Goathouse through their Save Meow project. There are great stories and lots of beautiful kitty photos on this site, and you can also submit articles yourself and subscribe to their weekly newsletter.

Thanks so much to the Love Meow staff: Jackie, Flip, Shadow, little Lucy, and Amy (a cat lover with a huge heart!).

Cat of the Week: Callie

Callie came to the Goathouse in the summer of 2008 shortly after she had kittens. The timing couldn't have been more perfect since we had a litter of kittens who had lost their mother. Callie was more than happy to nurse and nurture these adopted kittens, and would ask to be back with them if separated from them.

Callie is very much a people cat. She's one of our famous "Kitchen Cats" who loves to hang out in the Refuge kitchen with the volunteers while they are working. She enjoys being petted and is always happy when someone pays attention to her. This beautiful and loving girl deserves a home of her own where she will be loved and adored. Please come meet Callie soon. (approx. date of birth: 12/2007)

See more photos of Callie.

Come see us at Shakori Hills!

Please stop by the Goathouse Refuge booth this weekend and say hello!

Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance

A family-friendly festival of music, dance, art, and education. 4 days, 4 stages, and over 50 bands in beautiful, green Chatham County on October 7-10.