Exploring the World of Animal Shelters: An Inside Look at Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.

/ Fayetteville, Interviews, North Carolina / By michelle

An interview with Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Table Of Content

Introducing Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.
How Did Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Start? What Are The Challenges Encountered Along The Way?
Tell Us About The Most “Unusual” Animal That Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Has Ever Taken.
Tell Us About Your Events
What Would You Say Has Been The Most Rewarding Part Of Running An Animal Shelter?
Can You Tell Us About Any Challenges You Have Faced At Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.?
Tell Us About Your Volunteers
Where Do Most Of The Animals In Your Shelter Come From, And What Is The Process For Rescuing And Rehabilitating Them?
What Are The Busiest Periods And How Does Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Cope?
What Animals Does Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.Focus On?
Working With The Local Community
Tell Us More About Your Events
What Is Done Differently at Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.?
How Has Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Adapted To The Challenges Presented By The Pandemic?
Share With Us Some Of The Heartwarming Stories Of Animals Rehabilitated And Rehomed By Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.
What Are The Help Needed From The Local Community?
Connect With Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. here:

My role at Blind Cat Rescue (BCR) involves being in contact with our supporters, marketing, and fundraising. I got involved with BCR in 2011 when my husband and I adopted a blind cat, and we needed some information about them. Our founder and CEO, Alana Miller, was a great help. One visit to BCR was all it took for us to love the place and everything it was about completely. We became regular visitors and volunteers in 2011. I joined the staff in 2018 and have loved every minute of it, and my husband serves on the Board of Directors.

How Did Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Start? What Are The Challenges Encountered Along The Way?

Alana and her daughter were volunteering at a local animal shelter back in the early 2000s when they met their first blind cat, Louie, who came into the shelter and was immediately scheduled to be euthanized just because he was blind. (This is still the law in many states, including North Carolina, where BCR is located.) He was one of many that they saw come to the shelter, and Alana knew in her heart that these deserved a chance to live and have loving families because, as she rightly points out, “they don’t know they’re blind – they know they’re cats!” From her strong desire to help these animals that never get a chance, Alana created Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc. (BCR) in 2005. Starting with one building on land that she owns, BCR began to welcome blind cats from all over the US and from as far away as Kuwait and France. In 2011, BCR expanded its mission to include cats who test positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia (FeLV) because those conditions are also a death sentence in many states. Once a cat arrives at BCR, it is its forever home because, as Alana rightly points out, by the time they get to BCR, they’ve been through enough. A review of their stories on our website confirms that fact (https://blindcatrescue.com/cats/index.htm)

Starting an animal shelter is a very focused and detailed process. Alana worked very hard over 18 years to establish and build best practices and procedures that ensure that the cats live in the most healthy environment possible and that their care is consistent and directly meets their individual needs.

Tell Us About The Most “Unusual” Animal That Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Has Ever Taken.

Our cats are all unique, but what is most unusual about them is the situations they come from. Wherever they come from, be it in the US or another country, many have been surrendered to shelters by their owners, and others are thrown out to fend for themselves as strays (Pedro, Emma). A few have been bounced from home to home after their owners have died and the families didn’t want them. One was found by the side of the road in January near death by a FedEx driver (Mr. Betty). Another was shot with a bird shot while he was a stray and begging for food (Uncle Fester). One was rescued from under a car after a hurricane in Florida, and another was dropped off by a couple who found a sick kitten at a truck stop. Several were made blind by being hit by cars (Wifi). Many lost their sight due to untreated upper respiratory infections (Peanut, Mickey). Others have come from hoarding situations (Misty, Serena). Their stories are all very sad and disheartening, but we know that they all have a very happy ending now at BCR.

Tell Us About Your Events

We have done quite a few campaigns to raise funds for BCR, several are annual, and others are to help community animals in need. We hold a summer photo contest and a fall raffle each year and sell calendars featuring the cats. One of the most unique campaigns was Jump for Your Cause, which, in 2014, brought to BCR the apparatus to make a 16-foot leap onto a huge inflated landing ramp to support charities. Several charities joined BCR for this event, and all the participants were enthusiastic. Another very creative effort came from a board member, regular volunteer, and tattoo fan. “Tattoo You” in 2018 raised funds by setting fundraising goals that, when they were met, would mean that someone special would get a tattoo. Neither Alana nor I had any tattoos at the time, so we got our first tattoos when we reached $10,000 in donations. BCR also works hard for animals outside the sanctuary. One campaign raised funds to help animals impacted by hurricanes in Texas and Louisiana. Locally, BCR raised money to put animal oxygen masks in our county’s emergency vehicles and a heat sensor in the police K-9 unit that alerts the officer if the car overheats.

What Would You Say Has Been The Most Rewarding Part Of Running An Animal Shelter?

Knowing that cats who have suffered all kinds of trauma in their lives are now happy, healthy, and loved makes it all worthwhile. An added benefit is knowing that what we do and our visibility in doing it is helping people all over the world learn that blind cats, FeLV+, and FIV+ cats can and should have the chance to be loved family pets.

Can You Tell Us About Any Challenges You Have Faced At Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.?

Running an animal shelter is very hard work that must happen every day. The greatest challenge is finding and keeping staff members who understand and embrace the requirements and effort of the work and are dedicated to doing it. The other challenge is seeing that the need never ends.

Tell Us About Your Volunteers

Before the COVID pandemic, we had regular open houses each month, and from those events, we gained regular volunteers who have come in to help the staff clean the cats’ rooms, feed them, and then spend time with the cats. Some come in just to visit the cats they sponsor. Some are in North Carolina; others travel from several states away to be here for a long weekend. We’ve had people stop in as they’ve driven to vacation down I 95 on the East Coast, and others have come in from Canada and Europe. Most of them first met BCR on Facebook and, from what they saw there, decided to make a visit. Spending time with our cats is what brings them back. Many call BCR their “happy place.” We are very grateful for every single one of them.

Where Do Most Of The Animals In Your Shelter Come From, And What Is The Process For Rescuing And Rehabilitating Them?

Most of our cats come from the US, but several have come from other countries like Kuwait and France. Most come because some caring person has made the extra effort to literally save their lives by getting them out of the shelter or situation before they are euthanized. When we have space and can bring in a new cat, they are put in quarantine first and assessed by Alana and our shelter manager, Samantha where any immediate health needs get addressed. Then the new cats go to our veterinarian for a complete exam, bloodwork, and any X-rays and any other tests needed. Based on the results of those tests and the cat’s health, he will receive treatment along with a spay or neuter if not already done. While a cat is in quarantine, the staff can assess its personality and level of stress and note if they are eating well and seem healthy. After this is completed, the cat moves into a room with other cats. FeLV+ cats go in rooms with other positive cats. From there, they are routinely monitored and cared for by the staff.

What Are The Busiest Periods And How Does Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Cope?

We are a sanctuary, and while we receive requests daily from people looking to help find a home for a blind, FIV+, or FeLV+ cat, we can accept cats only when we have room. As we have cats with various medical needs, our work is consistently busy all year long.

What Animals Does Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.Focus On?

We focus on blind, FIV+, and FeLV+ cats because when they enter a shelter or animal control facility, they are euthanized immediately. Alana began BCR to save lives, and that’s what we continue to do. Blind cats are not handicapped in any way. They use their other senses to get on with being a cat. They play, eat, climb, run and even hunt just like sighted cats do. Cats who are positive for FIV and FeLV present different challenges based on their health status. FIV+ cats can and do live long lives but could be susceptible to infections. FeLV+ cats usually don’t live very long lives because leukemia causes so many health problems that are fatal. Since we started taking in those cats, we have worked hard to monitor their health daily and provide them with the medications and supplements they need to continue to be comfortable and enjoy a good quality of life. With leukemia, things can happen very quickly, so we work very closely with our veterinarian and specialists when necessary. While losing a cat for any reason is heartbreaking for our staff, who genuinely love our cats as their own, we are comforted in knowing we did our absolute best for that cat, giving unconditional love and consistent care.

Working With The Local Community

We have helped our community by working with local emergency workers to be sure that animal oxygen masks are in each emergency vehicle since pets are also injured in home fires. Being able to administer oxygen immediately to a rescued cat or dog can save a life. We also worked with our county police department to make sure the K-9 vehicle had a heat sensor in it that alerts the officer when the car is too hot and potentially deadly to the service dog. We also regularly share supplies with local animal shelters to help them offer their cats comfort and care.

Tell Us More About Your Events

We anticipate once again doing our annual photo contest and raffle and will produce and sell a calendar for 2024. We’ll alert folks about all those things on our social media platforms and in our newsletter.

What Is Done Differently at Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.?

BCR has for several years sponsored a spay and neuter program that serves rural Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, and neighboring counties in central North Carolina. In the past several years, more than 8,000 cats have been treated through this program, 2,700 in 2022 alone. North Carolina ranks a dismal third nationally in shelter-animal euthanasia. Part of the reason is the large number of kittens born every year to outdoor unowned cats, many living in feral colonies, who end up unwanted in shelters. One of the most effective ways to address this problem is spaying and neutering feral cats. Our program continues to be successful because our veterinarian works closely with local trap-neuter-and-release (TNR) volunteers who know and regularly assist the individuals feeding and caring for the colonies.

We focus on treating one feral colony at a time to ensure that all the resident cats receive a procedure along with any treatments needed for injuries or illnesses, as well as offering vaccines and a flea treatment. A secondary benefit of TNR is reducing the suffering of male cats by lowering the incidence of fighting and the spread of FIV and other fight-borne diseases. The program reaches cats where they’re living in whatever their circumstances, which are usually dire. The TNR workers and the colony caretakers are dedicated and passionate about helping these cats, sometimes at serious personal risk.
About the program’s success, our veterinarian says, “Our rewards come when we revisit those colonies a year or so later and find that the number of resident cats has dwindled from natural attrition with no more kittens. We see all the tipped ears. The cats are healthy and largely disease free.”

How Has Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc. Adapted To The Challenges Presented By The Pandemic?

During the height of the pandemic, our efforts focused on making sure the staff and the cats stayed healthy. To that end, we did not allow visitors, we installed hand sanitizers outside each cat room and in our lobbies and they were required to be used when going from one room to another. Anyone on site was required to wear a mask at all times. We needed to be sure that the cats’ care would remain stable and uninterrupted. While some staff members over time did test positive for COVID, we followed national health guidelines to make sure it was not spread to other staff members. All those efforts combined kept our care and upkeep consistent.

At the same time, we stepped up our online offerings so that people could continue to see the cats on a regular basis, even if not in person. We expanded our video presence on Instagram and TikTok and began a daily Instagram live tour to go along with our two daily live Facebook tours of the shelter with cats. We also reminded people of our live 24-hour cameras in all the rooms that allow people to see the cats at any time.

Share With Us Some Of The Heartwarming Stories Of Animals Rehabilitated And Rehomed By Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary Inc.

We have many instances of rehabilitation, but since we are a sanctuary, we do not at this time adopt our cats. BCR is theirs forever home.

Many of our cats arrive traumatized for any number of reasons. They can be withdrawn and fearful and do not engage at all. Here are a few of their stories:

Misty (blind), who came from a hoarding situation in 2019, hid beside the litter box in her quarantine crate facing the wall. She had very bad teeth that caused her pain and injured eyes. Today, with care and some of what we like to call “The BCR magic,” Misty is a relaxed and happy cat who welcomes people and loves to snuggle with the other cats in her room.

Mr. Betty (senior, partially blind) was found beside the road on a cold January day in 2021 by a FedEx delivery driver. She wasn’t even sure he was alive but stopped to check. When she found that he was, she rushed him to BCR, which was on her route, and she knew the staff would be there on a Sunday. Mr. Betty was in such bad shape the staff wasn’t sure he’d even last the night. They couldn’t even tell if he was a girl or boy cat – he was emaciated, and his eyes were invisible from all the pus present from an upper respiratory infection. One eye had a huge ulcer. Because he came soon after Betty White had died, the staff called him Betty. Only later, when he was at our vet, did we find out he was a boy – so Mr. Betty he is. With lots of medication, care, and love, Mr. Betty is doing very well today. He is a senior content kitty who won’t ever have to face life on his own and in harm’s way.

Imagine this: you have no home or family, and you’re hungry and begging for food. When you ask for help, people throw things at you. You have to try and stay out of harm’s way even though you have nowhere safe to go. You’re at the mercy of the weather. And you’re blind. This was Uncle Fester’s story until he came to BCR. By the time a good Samaritan had alerted someone about this poor cat who had been looking for food, he’d been through so much. When he got to BCR, he had many wounds and a broken leg that had healed incorrectly. It’s most likely that Uncle Fester lost his sight due to an untreated upper respiratory infection. When we took Fester to the vet for his first thorough medical exam, his X-ray revealed that he had been shot at close range with a bird shot. Those pellets are still visible under his skin. Although they aren’t painful, they are there as a reminder of his past. However, Uncle Fester’s story has a very happy ending! This kind and gentle cat today live a safe, healthy life full of love and attention. Despite his horrible life on the street and the abuse he suffered, he is now in a place where he will never be abused, afraid or hungry again. He is – in spite of all he’s endured – a very loving cat who still loves and trusts people.

Sweet Emma‘s family totally failed her. She owes her life to a wonderful veterinarian who knew this kitty was not part of the feral colony she was treating. Through the TNR workers, we learned her story. Emma’s owner died, and that person’s family literally threw her out in the cold. This poor, blind, senior kitty, who had always been an indoor cat, was suddenly without everything she had ever known and in very dangerous circumstances. A TNR trapper who works with BCR’s spay and neuter program found Emma in a feral colony she works with, very thin and very scared. Our vet wasn’t about to return this girl to the feral colony. First things first, she removed Emma’s damaged eye and spayed her. After that, Emma spent two weeks in a foster home, giving her time to adjust and heal. Despite efforts to find her a good home, no one stepped up to adopt her, and when asked, we took her in. Despite everything she has been through – being abandoned, turned outside, and doing all of this blind, Emma is a very sweet cat who is thriving and getting lots of attention and love. At BCR, she’ll always be safe and will never be dumped again.

What Are The Help Needed From The Local Community?

We welcome individuals and small groups who’d like to help care for the cats by assisting the staff with cleaning and feeding or those who just want to visit and spend time with the cats. The staff works on cleaning and feeding between 7 a.m. and noon for those who’d like to help them out. Others are welcome to come from 12:30 to 4 p.m. to get to know our cats.