Jim and I don’t travel out of state due to the inconsistency between States of recognizing our marriage. If something happened to either of us while in a hostile State, the other might not be able to make appropriate financial decisions, or life and death decisions. That causes us to pretty much stay in California, specifically Southern California.
On May 2-3, we traveled to Fresno, California, definitely not in Southern California. Our purpose was to have Photographic Art be a vendor at the fundraiser for The Cat House on the Kings.
We had some trouble finding the actual location but eventually got there. Here’s the view of the property as we turned the final corner:
According to their web site, The Cat House on the Kings comprises 12 acres along the Kings River. Since its founding 22 years ago, they have saved over 24,000 cats and 7,000 dogs (not counting the 40,000 animals that have been spayed and neutered) and currently care for more than 700 cats and kittens, a dozen or so dogs, and a handful of goats. While we were there, I also saw one peacock:
I parked the car, and as soon as I got out, I was greeted by this cutie:
It doesn’t look happy, though, perhaps wondering why I, and so many others, were invading its home on a beautiful Saturday.
I checked in and was taken to the area where I would set up my table.
Everywhere we turned there were cats. Here a cat, there a cat, everywhere a cat!
That last one is giving me the evil eye, but it was very friendly, as were all the cats that were out and about.
The first thing I did was set up a chair for Jim. Within five seconds, it was occupied….
How sweet. Jim and I didn’t have the heart to move it. Chairs were very popular with the cats.
Next I set up my table. It took five seconds for a second orange-and-white cat to claim it.
It was a wonderful task to (try to) set up shop with so many cats helping out, but eventually I did get set up.
Throughout the day, Jim and I took turns exploring the property. The cat house truly is a cat house. Since Jim and I both are in real estate, we estimated that the house was probably about 2,000 square feet, all of it reserved for cats, and they knew it.
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My favorite room was the Great Room with its Cat Couch:
The Cat House on the Kings is California’s largest no-cage, no-kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption center.
Their mission is to place rescued cats and kittens into loving, permanent homes; to provide a safe, happy and healthy home for unwanted cats and kittens in a unique, no-cage facility; to prevent pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering; and to educate the public about responsible pet ownership.
It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (EIN 27-0015288). There are many ways to donate to The Cat House on the Kings, including cash (you can even use PayPal!), eBay Giving Works, sponsorships, memorials, the dedication wall, donating an item on their wish list, leaving a legacy, volunteering, fostering a cat, or shopping with their affiliate partners (AmazonSmile, GoodKitty.com, Bissell, eScrip, GoodSearch.com, Cars 4 Causes).
Cash contributions are tax deductible. Please donate.
To help support
The Cat House on the Kings,
I donate 10% of proceeds from the sale of my
Photographic Art by Russel Ray Photos at Fine Art America
to them as long as you use the discount code
LMYAAR (provides YOU a 20% discount) at checkout.
Need a unique gift?
Consider Photographic Art!
Visit Russel Ray Photos.
Visit Photographic Art by Russel Ray Photos at Fine Art America.
►►►►◄◄◄◄
Looking for real estate services in San Diego County?
I can highly recommend James Frimmer, Realtor, CDPE
CA BRE #01458572
►►►►◄◄◄◄
If you’re looking for a home inspector,
I recommend Russel Ray — that’s me!
Beautiful kitties! What a perfect post for Caturday!
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Exactly! The best weekend days are Caturdays!
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Big smile 🙂
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Can I live there too?
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There’s a long line, and I’m at the front………….
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How lovely! I hope it went well for you! You know if I could have a cat house I would too! Hey – not that kind! The kind for the 4 leggeds!
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If I had a few million dollars to spare, I’d buy a few hundred acres and create the world’s largest cat house!
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For some reason WP is keeping both blogs open at the same time…something this has not done before…Hugs to you and Jim! Loved this post!
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❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
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Back at you!
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What a fun post! My friend Pat is a cat rescue lady, spending her weekends at pet adoption fairs doing what she calls “peddling pussy.” But has 17 cats at home, the ones she can’t peddle,cats with diabetes, with three legs, cats in diapers, or with socialization problems. I need to show her this post!
P.S. Washington is a beautiful state, with two national parks, our own volcano that really works, ocean and mountains, The Space Needle, and best of all, gay marriage is legal and recognized. Maybe you and Jim would like to come up here sometime.
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My wise old grandmother was always adopting tripod cats. I think that’s where I learned to love the little things.
Washington is our second-favorite state, behind California, of course, but Olympic National Park is tied for #1 on our list with Yellowstone.
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Why do I love this post so much…?? Beautiful!
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I could guess, and I think I’d be right………LOL
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Cats make me happy 🙂
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They do add a lot of joy to life. I can’t imagine my days without Zoey the Cool Cat.
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I never saw home cats alike that in France.
Beautiful photos
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I am kind of surprised that, with the 24/7 Internet, we don’t hear about animal sanctuaries more often in other countries.
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We have animal shelters but not as luxurious. I probably misspoke. sorry
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Oh, I figured there were animal shelters elsewhere but we never hear about them on the Internet, even with its 24/7 cycle.
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We shelters, called, SPA = Humane Society for animals. I give you a link
http://www.spa44.fr/
Have a good day 🙂
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Thanks!
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What a very special place and we’ll worth the trip to visit and support such a worthy cause. I could happily love any one of those lovely kitties. I have three at home. Karen
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I have my hands full with just Zoey the Cool Cat. I’d go crazy with three cats……..Wai! I’m already crazy……..Nevermind.
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What a great place. I am always encouraged by the words “no kill” and “cat sanctuary”. These shots are lovely and reflect the depth of the feline spirit! Being an animal lover this right up my alley!
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When I get old I want to live out my life at a cat sanctuary, and I’m not even a cat! I think it will help me in my quest to come back as a spoiled cat……….LOL
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Well, that’s a post I’m sure Zoey was happy to approve 🙂
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At first she was a little jealous because I was paying to much attention to all the other cats, but she understood why once she read the post. Yep, approval was easy then.
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Now that is cat heaven! I hope you and Jim had a successful day of sales.
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I didn’t know what to expect so I was less prepared than I could have been. The experience was worth every minute, though!
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How fun! You certainly got your work cut out for you trying to setup that day. Lol.
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Cats seem to be the only ones that can cause so much trouble yet be such joy…….LOL
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That looks an amazing space I have to say they all look incredibly laid back and well behaved my moggy would not play so nicely with the other cats but she is rather spoilt and a little grumpy in her dotage (she is 13 now but denies it if asked)
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What surprised me was how friendly all the cats were, but maybe the unfriendly cats simply weren’t out and about. Nonetheless…………..
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Happy kitties!
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Quite a few cats there Russel.
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And Jim and I didn’t bring a single one home, not that we didn’t want to. There was a black cat (and Jim’s first cat was a black cat, so he has a place in his heart for blackies) with a badly disfigured ear, chewed by a dog when it was young we were told. It was the friendliest cat with the best personality, and it had the most unusual vocalizations. Jim said that if we didn’t have to drive six hours to get home, we would have brought it with us.
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Now that’s a miracle Russel, not bringing a cat home. 😉 There are so many sad, abandoned animals around the place. When I was reading your post last night, a stray dog turned up at our front door. Lost and miserable looking wee thing. I gave her some scraps and made a bed under our wooden bench on the veranda. We’ve rung around the neighbourhood but to no avail. She looked exhausted and I think she may have been dumped.
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great org
great post
=^..^=
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Paradise – for the cats. Just puurfect ❤
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What a WONDERFUL place…. Thanks so much for sharing. ❤
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Brings to mind Hemmingway’s cats in Key West, only moreso. Lovely photos!
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Very much so!
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Love the post, Russel – and I can think of a dozen people who will relish this article and all of it’s fantastic photos. Cheers to you!
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