10 Amazing Cat Sanctuaries

Cats, both domestic and wild, have suffered greatly at the hands of humans, especially in recent centuries. Fortunately, the winds are changing, and nowadays many people are working hard on behalf of felines. They are magnificent animals, both helpful humans and cats.

For everything from big wild cats to domestic kittens, there are efforts to rescue them from bad situations, provide them with safe homes, and offer them refuge no matter what. All over the world and across the United States, cat sanctuaries are doing good work.

Whether it’s with an interest in adopting a cat, wanting to support sanctuaries, or simply learning about positive stuff happening, here are some of the top cat sanctuaries in the United States, including links to local organizations for anywhere you might be.

Source: Best Friends Animal Society/YouTube

Domestic Cats

Feral, abandoned, and abused domestic cats are a massive issue in the United States, and lots of organizations are working to find them homes or provide them with life-long care. The organizations on this list were selected to help anyone anywhere in the US get involved with the effort.

1. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The ASPCA is, of course, a go-to when it comes to helping animals of all species, but they do have a nationwide database of cats in need of adoption. While the ASPCA itself isn’t running the specific sanctuaries, it must be on this list as it can provide important contact info for anyone hoping to adopt a rescued cat.

2. Alley Cat Rescue: An Alliance for Cat Protection

Founded by Louise Holton, a very experienced hand in the field, Alley Cat Rescue is an expansion of Alley Cat Allies. ACR is also associated with Cat Action Teams around the country, African Wildcat in South Africa, and the Feral Fix Challenge. They have all sorts of cool projects going, such as placing feral cats in barns and warehouses as natural rodent control. They have adoption services, too.

3. Cat World

Cat World is a massive no-kill feline sanctuary for Best Friends. It houses over 600 cats and kittens in 11 specially designed buildings meant to meet the needs of cats with special personalities, medical conditions, and behavior issues. Cat World provides permanent homes for cats that don’t get adopted. Best Friends has regional programs throughout the United States.

4. Wild Blue Cats: A Refuge for Cats and Kittens

Operating out of Colorado Springs, Wild Blue Cats saves the lives of kittens and cats that have been abandoned, abused, neglected, or simply given up on. It’s a great example of what a local organization can look like. They try to these place cats in homes via adoptions, and they even have a barn cat program for felines not fit for indoor living.

5. The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary

Operating for over half a century now, The Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary was the first no-kill animal shelter in Arizona and is an accredited cage-free shelter. They provide physical and medical care to all cats in the shelter, and they promote the idea that all cats are important, individual beings.

Source: The Wildcat Sanctuary/YouTube

Big Cats

Big, wild cats unfortunately have been victims of illegal and black-market pet trading. Most of these animals don’t survive in their new surroundings, and usually, those that do are in displaced, often highly inadequate situations. This is so much the case that we have multiple big cat shelters in the USA.

6. Lions, Tigers, and Bears Sanctuary

Lions, Tigers and Bears Sanctuary rescues big cats (and bears) and gives them sanctuary on 93 acres bordering Cleveland National Forest in California. The sanctuary is full of big trees, meadows, and fresh air. The animals are allowed to be. It is a no-kill, no-breed, no-contact facility accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuary Association.

7. Big Cat Rescue & Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Started in Tampa, Florida, and recently expanded to putting cats in Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, Big Cat Rescue has been a massive force in big cat rescue, Conservation, and protection for the last three decades. They have now focused on getting legislation passed while other sanctuaries—like TCWR—handle the cats.

8. The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary has three locations in Colorado (one of which is for wild horses) and one in Texas. They care for over 750 animals, including lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, mountain lions, and leopards. All in all, they have nearly 35,000 acres of natural habitats for the animals to enjoy.  Many of the animals they rescue have never stepped on grass before.

9. The Wildcat Sanctuary

Specializing in providing natural, spacious habitats for rescued wild cats, The Wildcat Sanctuary allows all the resident cats to move about freely. They also educate the public about saying no to wild pets, cub petting, and tampering with cat breeding. As with any good non-profit, its ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for sanctuaries.

10. Exotic Feline Rescue Center

Founded in the early 1990s, Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana has grown from about 15 acres to over 200 acres. They care for over 100 cats, as well as 6 foxes. They also provide education about the animals and their plight as caged/captured wild animals.

By no means does this list cover, even begin to cover, the breadth of cat sanctuaries out there doing good work. But, it’s a start to understanding just how much cat love is going on, and these are some great places to share in it.

Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content:

• What is the Difference Between a Real Big Cat Sanctuary and an Abusive ‘Scamtuary’?
• Spread the Word! Wildcat Sanctuary is Offering to Take in Big Cats Surrendered by Private Owners this Week
• Remembering Salteña, Oldest Lionesses in Captivity Who Passed Peacefully at The Wildcat Sanctuary
• Not All Fun and Games: What it Actually Takes to Run an Exotic Cat Sanctuary
• 3 Rescued Big Cats From The Wildcat Sanctuary That Prove Big Cats Don’t Make Good Pets

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