This SC island has its own huge sanctuary for cats. See how it works and ways you can help
The nonprofit organization, All About Cats, has been supporting the massive community of cats in Hilton Head since 2016.
While no one really knows how and why so many furry friends ended up on the island, there is a strong need for a space for these cats to stay and veterinary care.
The sanctuary was purchased in 2011 by Claudia Kennedy, and is a 1.2-acre space surrounded by a high wooden fence and remains largely undeveloped.
Wooden feeding huts that also double as weather shelters for the sanctuary line the center of the plot.
Other features of the sanctuary include thick oak trees draped in Spanish moss to provide abundant shade and a row of isolation pens, reserved for cats recovering from medical issues.
For almost nine years, the sanctuary has been able to trap, neuter and release hundreds of cats. A part of the organization’s mission is to control the feral cat population on the island and provide a healthier lifestyle to cats on the island.
The organization also tests for diseases like FIV and leukemia.
Fully run by volunteers, All About Cats serves as a last resort location for cats on the island. If they can’t find a home or be taken anywhere else, All About Cats steps in to help.
“We rely on community support to help these cats find a home,” said Sherree Capello, the president of All About Cats.
All of the cats within the sanctuary are rescued from other cat colonies within Hilton Head, with over 80 coming in and out of the sanctuary every day.
Locations like PetSmart and websites such as Petfinder help put the word out for these cats to be adopted. All About Cats also holds tours and other local events to spread awareness about their organization.
“All of our cats are fixed and given a home visit to make sure they are ready to take with you. We want to make sure you and the cat know where everything is and how to transition,” Capello said.
Since the sanctuary is fully run by volunteers, the cats have free reign in the surrounding area and are able to come and go as they please.
This freedom is why All About Cats is focused on trapping and fixing (commonly referred to as TNR for trap, neuter and releasing) as many animals as it can to help control the population and provide the animals with needed pet care.
Today, the sanctuary sits nestled at the north end of Hilton Head Island with more cats than you can count, but volunteers that come and check in every day.
From cleaning, feeding, land maintenance and all things in between, volunteers do it all.
“It takes a lot to keep these cats clean, fed and healthy, so I couldn’t do it without them,” Capello said of volunteers.
To learn more about All About Cats, volunteering, adoptions or tours, you can visit their website or social media.
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
