A New Approach to Saving Feral Cats
Saving feral cats from euthanasia, while supporting the community, requires innovative approaches. We have raised the bar to what is possible. We are the first to create and build a Pet Therapy & Comfort Pavilion for feral cats on the grounds of a senior living facility. With hopes that others will emulate our business model, and with the goal of helping to control and care for the thousands of feral cat colonies that exist, we provide free instruction, education, and A-to-Z, hands-on mentoring for other organizations, senior living facilities, and individuals who wish to create similar pavilions on retirement campuses and other secure locations.
We are thrilled to announce a generous matching grant of $10,000 thanks to long-time-friend of the Sanctuary, Don Micheli.
This incredible opportunity means that any donations made to us this year will be matched, effectively doubling what we can do.
The Sad Truth
There are an estimated 30-80 million feral and abandoned cats in the United States. San Diego alone has an approximate 3000 + feral cat colonies. Through no fault of their own, these cats are forced to live a tragic existence. Feral cats typically live a brutal life of two to five years — or less, if they don’t have regular feeders. Some were once pets, betrayed by their humans, abandoned and discarded like trash.
These cats endure:
- wild animal predation
- dog attacks
- disease
- starvation
- severe weather
- anemia – blood loss
- severe flea infestations
- abscesses and battle injuries
- abuse and torture from cruel humans
- bodily injuries from vehicle trauma
Our Story
Previously, 60+ cats were living on the grounds and asphalt parking lots of an assisted living property and an adjacent strip mall. The cats were emaciated — walking skeletons slowly starving to death, covered in fleas, anemic, injured, frightened, and un-fixed. Desperate for food, they would timidly approach the senior residents, hoping for handouts, or scavenge in dumpsters where they sometimes incurred injury from razor blades, needles, and other dangerous refuse. Their future was animal control and euthanasia.
MAX – Before
When we met Max, he was near death, suffering from many of the afflictions common to feral cats.
SHEENA – Before
When we met Sheena, she was so weak she
had no use of her hind legs.
Solution
Now, imagine this alternative to abandonment and euthanasia:
A multidimensional enclosed Feral Cat Pavilion with beautiful green gardens,
trees, grass, lush plants, water fountains, solar lighting, and wind chimes.
Most importantly — safety, shelter, food, water, medical care, and love.
MAX – Now
Fully healed, he is the
Benevolent Ruler of
the Colony. Nobody
messes with Mr. Max.
SHEENA – Now
“Tiny Dancer”— legs
now fully functional —
our Little Princess, the
beauty queen, loves to
cuddle.
These are only two of our stories of recovery — so far there have been more than 90 —
and many more are waiting to happen.
A Dream Fulfilled
In just two and a half years, we designed and built an extraordinary oasis for a San Diego feral colony, located
on the site of a senior living facility. Our immediate, urgent imperative was to secure the safety and wellbeing
of the colony. We spayed or neutered every cat, one by one, and administered any necessary medical
treatment. We then began construction on their new home.
Property Before
This isn’t a dream — it actually exists!
The Pet Therapy & Comfort Pavilion is entirely separate from the resident area. The cats live in their own compound with their own caregivers. They have five cottages of varied sizes, a secret garden, and multiple play areas which include a huge Podocarpus tree to climb, and a tree house. Except for the indoor cottages, the entire habitat is open on one side for senior resident viewing, with a large plexiglass wall providing unobstructed views of the central pavilion.
Enchantment for Senior Citizens
Every morning, afternoon, and evening the seniors enjoy watching the kitties play. It’s a win-win for the residents who love the cats, many of them having known these cats since they were kittens.
First-Time Experience
Our ferals, like millions of others, had never experienced comfort before.
They had never experienced toys or balls to play with. They couldn’t escape the hot sun or shivering cold that made their bones brittle.
They had never slept on a soft pillow, felt a warm blanky under their bodies, or had a cozy kitty bed to curl up into.
The cats never experienced a safe and quiet place to lay their heads, always having to sleep with one eye open. And they never knew where their next meal was coming from.
But now, for the first time in their lives they know what this feels like!!
DONATE TODAY!
100% of your contribution supports the cats.
Your donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Results
Shanti’s House is designed to live up to the principles of its namesake and has proven to be a place of “peace, rest, calmness, and tranquility” for the felines that are lucky enough to call it their home!
They love being spoken to and have truly healed and thrived.
So far, we have successfully adopted more than 30 tamed ferals and street cats into amazing forever homes.
Shanti
In March 2018, our founder took a wrong turn down an alley and found a lone kitten in the street.
That kitten was Shanti. The rest is history. . .
Adoption Stories
Jewels & Zeus
Hans Winky – A Grateful Cat
Cosmo & Christopher
Clyde
Billy Bob
Sheena
Jasper
Castor & Pollux
The Punk
Our
Business Model
Our
Business Model
With the hope that others will emulate this business model, and with the goal of helping to control and care for the thousands of existing feral cat colonies, we provide free instruction, education, and A-to-Z, hands-on mentoring for other organizations, senior living facilities, and individuals who wish to create similar pavilions. Although our focus and immediate expertise is California — having successfully navigated and mastered the intricacies of licensing and code requirements here locally — the fundamentals of this unique feral rescue facility can be applied anywhere and we stand ready as a resource to provide assistance in any state. Given the increasingly interconnectedness of the world through the internet, we could easily help animal welfare groups in other countries as well, with start-up fundamentals unique to feral needs.
All photos on our website are of our actual resident cats, past and present.
THANK YOU to our Donors/Partners
The Kitties of Shanti’s House wish to thank Dr. Elsey’s for its amazing support!
www.drelseys.com
A special thanks to the mothers and daughters of the National Charity League.
DONATE TODAY!
100% of your contribution supports the cats.
Your donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Building the Dream
Contact Us
You can contact Shanti’s House via email at
MyShantisHouse@gmail.com