At Suncatcher Sanctuary, care is hands-on, daily, and deeply individualized.
We take in complex medical and behavioral cases, often as a last resort. Many of the cats arrive with chronic illness, mobility challenges, incontinence, trauma, or a combination of all of the above. Their care includes daily medication, fluid therapy for seniors, mobility support, and close partnership with veterinarians to continually assess comfort and quality of life.
Some cats require bladder and bowel expression multiple times a day. Others need years to unlearn fear and realize they are finally safe.
Every cat is monitored daily, adjusted as their needs change, and cared for with the understanding that healing is not linear.
We say yes to the cats most often left behind.
The ones who won’t make it out of the shelter system.
The ones overlooked before they’re ever truly seen.
By taking in these cats, Suncatcher Sanctuary serves as both refuge and proof. Proof that, with the right support, these lives are worth saving. This work also advocates for change within local shelter systems, showing that even the most overlooked cats deserve time, dignity, and a fair chance at life.
The sanctuary is currently run by one person, out of a private home, with care as the top priority.
Protecting the caretaker’s capacity is not optional; it is essential. Burnout doesn’t just affect people. It directly affects the quality of care the cats receive. Experience has taught us that sustainability means moving slowly, being selective with intake, and honoring the delicate balance within the sanctuary.
Introducing a new cat always disrupts that balance, no matter how social or friendly they may be. Slow, thoughtful integration is necessary to protect both the newcomer and current residents.
Ongoing community support makes it possible to sustain the care that already exists and to thoughtfully say yes again in the future.
A sanctuary model centered on long-term care, not quick outcomes.
Cats who were once overlooked now live with routine, safety, and compassion. They are known, accommodated, and loved for exactly who they are, not for what they can become. This consistency is what creates harmony and allows the cats to truly shine.
The long-term vision for Suncatcher is a larger, purpose-built sanctuary space that supports both the cats and the human caring for them.
This future space would allow for safer, more efficient daily care, including easier cleanup, dedicated isolation areas, and room for more enrichment like cat trees and shelving. The goal is not to become bigger or faster, but to move slowly and steadily while continuing to provide deeply individualized care.
This vision also includes growing a community around the cats. More advocates to help amplify their stories. A small, trusted group of volunteers. More local fundraisers, events, and education efforts that help shift how the public sees cats with special needs.
Not as exceptions — but as cats worthy of love, dignity, and care.
