The Catman2 cats only shelter, sanctuary, and Cat Art Gallery was the first no-kill private animal shelter in Jackson county and the first cat shelter without cages in western North Carolina. A place where a rescued cat awaiting a new forever home need not spend this time in a small cage, but in one of many large rooms with things to climb upon, large windows and an attached screened porch for fresh air and sunshine. Opened in 2002 it is one of the most human cat shelters in existance. Besides a refuge for stray and surrendered cats, the shelter is a refuge for people who like cats. The walls of the shelter are bedecked with a 30 year collection of fine cat art, incliding victorian and modern paintings, advertising art, prints and the work of local artists. The shelter welcomes visitors by appointment, although drop ins are welcome most of the time. Contact Harold Sims founder of Catman2 at [email protected]. 828 293 7754.

Harold will be moving some of the hanging art and his collection of other objects of fine "Cat" Art, to a "Museum of the House Ca"t to be opened to the public later this year to the Old School House Antique Mall on Highway 441 south of Dillsboro. It will be one on only two cat museums in America.

Both the Cat Shelter & the Cat Museum are non-profit and accept donations to further our work saving cats and operating a museum that will be both educational and entertaing

Looking for volunteer help to open the cat museum and to act as a guide one or more days of the week.