10/15/2026
People wonder, exclaim, and question why there are so many homeless cats running our streets, parking lots, hedges, and neighborhoods?
Take a look at how many dog rescues there are in comparison to cat rescues and sanctuaries. When a dog is in need. People fall over each other to help. Cities and counties give grants and funding that goes to dogs. Scraps are used to cover the cats if they are lucky.
Extreme measures are taken to be a "no kill" shelter. Leaving cats to "survive", especially friendly or abandoned social cats is a death sentence. Allowing a feral queen to continue to reproduce unchecked. Birthing kittens into suffering. Only continues to grow the problem. Hardly a realistic "no kill" solution.
If animal control does pick up a cat. It is living on borrowed time. A feral unsocialized cat has no chance. Why don't people feel the same compassion towards cats?? I've sat at fundraisers and watched people throw out hundreds and thousands of dollars to support a dog centric shelter with municipal/county funding. While smaller grassroots cat organizations struggle for dollars or a few $100 to get through a month.
Most sanctuaries that deal solely in cats are by small organizations or privately. No salaries paid. No uniforms or health insurance given. No fancy vehicles with air conditioned transport cages, fancy lights and lettering. Many are established in homes and don't have huge overhead for brick and mortar buildings to drain away meager donations. What they do have is rent, mortgages, and utilities are are covered by the individuals. Rarely donations.
Its these small independent cat lovers doing everything they can amid the chaos of their own lives to make a meaningful impact on these forgotten cats and the community that has in largely turned their back on them. Believing their taxes or "someone else" will deal with it. Not to forger the big "Oh well its just a cat!".
Don't you wonder why there are not more resources for cats? I can think of only 3 active sanctuaries for cats in our area. Not both dog and cats, but exclusively cats. Amy’s Hospice Kitties, Fat Manx, and us. Each of which are barely making a dent.
When you hear someone exclaim "Why are there so many cats running wild or flattened in a road? Because there just simply isn't the support. People like to complain about the "disease ridden cats killing all the native birds!" Then support your local TNR organization or sanctuary to properly manage them, in a humanely, compassionate way.
We can make a difference. But right now we all are drowning in requests for assistance. I know we simply do not have the funding or space for every call. We could. With the same support that dogs are given. The same funding, the same volunteer base, same people offering to foster, same support from the local municipalities and community. Highly doubt taxpayers know that their taxes only cover dogs. The whole system is set up for dogs while cats are overlooked. We could offer that. Build another much needed resource for Burnet County. We need more support to do that.
Please if you are able to. Volunteer your time. Donate to your local cat sanctuary. Help them grow to be able to provide that safe space, food, medical, and loving grace that many do not receive because there isn't that safe space open for them.
We are nit asking this just for us. For the cats. We would love your consideration of course. For sure. Let's build something together. Build something great for the cats and our community.
