The Cats’ Cradle Opening First Adoption Center in Historic Newspaper Office

The Mews Herald will soon open to the public in the former News Herald building located at 301 Collett St., Morganton. An open house is set for Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Since 1999, The Cats’ Cradle has been a foster-based rescue, relying on volunteers to open their homes and hearts to cats in need. The rescue will continue with this model, but coming January 2026, it will have a permanent hub where the public can connect with adoptable cats.

Cats’ Cradle Founder and Director Lynda Garibaldi said the opening of The Mews has been something she’s dreamed of since she first began the organization.

“To finally have a space of our own to let the public see our adoptable cats will make a huge impact on our ability to readily find them loving homes,” she said.

Located at 301 Collett St., in the former News Herald building, the new adoption center will feature welcoming spaces where visitors can meet cats face-to-face, learn their stories, and even enjoy some bonding time in the meet-and-greet room. The goal is to create an environment where potential adopters can see cats’ true personalities shine outside of kennels or cages.

“This is more than an adoption center — it’s the beginning of a new chapter for The Cats’ Cradle and the community,” said board member Lisa Wall. “The fact that it’s in a former newspaper office is poetic. Where stories were once printed, new ones will now be written every time a cat finds a forever home.”

In addition to the adoption center, The Mews will include a lounge area where visitors can purchase a cup of coffee or drink and a prepackaged pastry or snack item while watching the cats and kittens play in their housing areas.

The former newsroom, now called The Mewsroom, will serve as an event space for events such as cat yoga, paint parties, and other fundraisers. The remodeled space also will be available for groups in the community to rent for small events or meetings.

Garibaldi said the new adoption center is the result of the continued support of donors, sponsors, fosters, volunteers, and the community as a whole.

“Without our fosters, volunteers, and donors, The Cats’ Cradle wouldn’t be the respected cat rescue that it is today,” Garibaldi said. “We hope that having this new adoption center will help to give us even more visibility and inspire others to help us as we work to find loving homes for homeless cats in our community.”

The center’s official opening day will be announced in early January.

For more information, visit www.thecatscradle.org, email info@thecatscradle.org or call 828-475-6732.