There are many places to adopt cats in the United States, from large charitable organizations to independent rescue homes. But what about cats that are considered “unadoptable”? Blind, disabled and elderly cats are often abandoned in shelters full of cute kittens, but Odd Cat Sanctuary aims to change that. As such, Odd Cat Sanctuary was founded to focus on seniors, kittens, cats with special needs, or those who have been neglected or abused. Odd Cat Sanctuary operates in Salem, Massachusetts, but has satellite foster homes throughout the state!
When was Strange Cat Shelter founded? By whom?
Odd Cat Shelter was founded in 2015 by Tara Kawczynski, a veterinary technician who has worked with animals most of her life. The Odd Cat Shelter cares for cats that cannot be adopted from regular shelters due to special needs.
These cats and kittens are often abandoned and forgotten, a sad but true fact of life in most shelters in the U.S. In 2019, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (one of the largest animal welfare charities in the U.S.) is spending 20.6% of its budget on veterinary and shelter care for animals, which underscores the cost of housing and medical care needed for shelter animals. Cats with additional physical, behavioral or medical needs cost more, which is why the usual outcome is to euthanize them.
Blind tiger spotted cat lying on a windowsill
Where is the Strange Cat Shelter?
Strange Cat Shelter operates in Salem, Massachusetts, but many satellite foster homes are part of a network of shelters throughout the state. Some foster homes even live in neighboring states, so the scope of the Weird Cat Shelter is vast.
What types of cats do weird cat shelters rescue?
Weird cat shelters rescue cats with physical disabilities, deformities, or behavioral problems. While shelters rescue cats and kittens of all ages for a variety of reasons, the mission of the Weird Cat Shelter is to “help weird cats who have nowhere else to turn.” For Tara, the definition of an “odd cat” (a cat in the shelter) is.
Cats who are physically ill
Cats with physical deformities or challenges, such as cerebellar hypoplasia or blindness
Cats with behavioral challenges
Abandoned cats
Abused or neglected cats
Senior cats
Feral or semi-feral cats
Cats on “death row” (awaiting euthanasia)
How are Odd Cat Sanctuary cats rescued?
First, cats that need to be placed at Odd Cat Sanctuary are found, or the center is contacted, and they are placed in foster homes. Although there is a central location, almost all cats in the care of Odd Cat Sanctuary are placed in loving foster homes for evaluation and, in some cases, therapy. Odd Cat Sanctuary stipulates that the most important thing for these cats is a loving home, and the foster home model helps to accomplish this. The shelter is foster-based, but a network of volunteers also works for them who help in all aspects of the cats’ care and socialization. This includes a partnership program with PetSmart in Danvers, Massachusetts.
To fund the charity, Odd Cat Sanctuary relies on the kindness of cat lovers through donations, contributions and fundraising events.