I love visiting the Goathouse Refuge, a local landmark and treasure. Located in rural North Carolina on several acres, the no-kill refuge is also a "last resort" cattery which accepts ill, elderly, and unadoptable cats, giving them love and shelter. Visitors are surrounded by purring cats of all
ages, whose health and friendliness testify to the care they receive from volunteers and vets. In good weather, we can join the cats in their large wooded fenced-in area dotted with individual shelters in which to run, play, and, for those who prefer, live. The large, clean indoor area has beds and cushions and hammocks in cages. Siglinda Scarpa knows her cats intimately and makes potential adopters prove themselves, including a home visit. When I lost my 20-yr-old, I went to the refuge looking for a small adult black male and came home with 3-yr-old Blue but somehow large, grey, 12-yr-old Indy came along and the odd couple's antics keep me laughing (and warm). Siglinda is very persuasive. My friends and I visit the refuge just for the fun of it.
