Bryson City Cat Sanctuary is giving area cats a second chance at life through a network of volunteer foster homes, with a whopping 28 currently up for adoption.
“Bryson City Cat Sanctuary is a nonprofit, foster-based cat rescue, meaning all of our cats are in volunteer homes,” said Hannah Robinson, the sanctuary’s founder and president. “We focus our rescue intakes on the Swain County area except for the occasional emergency. We try to assist the community with affordable spay/neuter appointments when available, perform TNR (trap-neuter-return) when we can, and help cats find their forever homes.”
Robinson, a full-time college student double majoring in entrepreneurship and accounting, started BCCS in 2022 and officially registered it as a nonprofit in March 2023. The sanctuary relies entirely on foster homes in Swain, Jackson, Haywood and Henderson counties because it currently does not have a permanent facility.
Being foster based allows BCCS to take in as many cats as there are available foster homes.
“We are able to take in as many cats as we have foster homes for,” Robinson said. “The more foster homes that become available, the more cats we can help.”
Robinson shared stories of some of the sanctuary’s most memorable rescues.
“We love all of our cats, and each has a unique story, but these are some of my favorites,” she said. “Every cat is worthy of love and care.”
Chief, the first unofficial rescue, was found in the middle of the road emaciated and later adopted by Robinson herself.
Indie, born on Independence Day in 2024, was discovered with her umbilical cord still attached and burns from hot asphalt; BCCS raised her through Hurricane Helene until she could safely return to her original finders.
Jack, later renamed Scooter, was thrown from a car window and required amputation after treatment from a local veterinarian.
“We got him (Jack) into the amazing Dr. Courtney at Animal Hospital of Waynesville, who has since started her own mobile clinic called Whisker Waggin’ Mobile Veterinary Care, and got him all fixed up,” said Robinson.
BCCS also helps control the local stray population with trap-neuter-return.
“Bryson City does have a pretty large stray cat population, especially given its size and population. The total number of strays is probably about the same as previous years, but we (along with other organizations) have worked to TNR over 100 cats since opening,” Robinson said.
All cats are spayed or neutered and vaccinated before adoption. Robinson emphasized the importance of keeping cats safe.
“There are definitely numerous feline diseases that cat owners should be aware of, and the only ways to keep a cat fully protected from them are to vaccinate and keep them indoors as well as spaying and neutering to reduce the overall population and also help cats not stray and fight to mate,” she said.
The sanctuary operates entirely on donations.
“It costs roughly $15,000 a year for food and litter alone,” Robinson said. “Veterinary care depends on the cat—sometimes only the neuter/spay with vaccines is needed, but sometimes there are injuries or illnesses that require other vet visits.”
BCCS continues to seek volunteers, foster homes, adopters, and donations.
“Foster homes are what keep us running and one of our consistent major needs,” she said. “We are thankful for all the support of our followers and love what we do. It is a very rewarding mission we are on, though it is often heartbreaking and exhausting. Every cat is worthy of love and care.”
For more information on adoption, volunteering, or donations, visit Bryson City Cat Sanctuary online at bccatsanctuary.org.