About Us

The Cats' Cradle is a foster-based cat rescue and adoption center located in the heart of downtown Morganton. Housed in a historic former newspaper building — now affectionately called The Mews Herald — we provide a safe, nurturing environment for cats in need. Through our network of dedicated foster homes, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome cats while helping them find their perfect match. Whether you're looking to adopt, foster, or support our mission, The Cats' Cradle is where felines, young and old, have the chance to meet their person and find their forever home.

Our Mission

The Cats' Cradle is a nonprofit cat rescue operated solely by volunteers serving the Unifour area. All Cats' Cradle cats and kittens are in foster homes. They are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, litter box trained and indoor cats only. We rescue, shelter and find homes for homeless cats and kittens and provide care for injured or sick and abandoned cats.

Our Goals

To rescue, shelter, provide veterinary care, and find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats and kittens throughout the Unifour area of western North Carolina. We also strive to educate the community on all aspects of feline care and well-being.

Our facility offers high-quality care and enrichment for cats and kittens, staffed by individuals with extensive knowledge of feline behavior and health. In addition, we connect the public with other rescue organizations and helpful resources. We collect client information and match them with available fosters as opportunities arise.

Educating the Public

At The Cats’ Cradle, we believe every adoption is the beginning of a lifelong friendship. To help ensure a smooth transition, we provide each new adopter with detailed information on what to expect when bringing home their feline companion — from understanding common adjustment behaviors to creating a safe, enriching environment. Our team offers guidance on nutrition, litter box setup, grooming, and regular veterinary care, as well as tips for socialization and play. We’re here to support adopters every step of the way, ensuring every cat settles into a happy, healthy, and loving forever home.

As our rescue continues to grow, we plan to offer small educational seminars for both adults and children, teaching them how to properly care for and enrich the lives of their feline companions. Many people unfamiliar with cat behavior expect cats to adapt instantly to new environments, which often leads to frustration and returns due to unrealistic expectations. Through education, support, and sharing the 3-3-3 rule, we aim to reduce these misunderstandings and promote lasting adoptions.

The "3-3-3 rule" for cats is a guideline for helping an adopted cat adjust to a new home, breaking down the process into three stages.

· 3 days:

The cat is likely feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and may hide, eat little, or avoid the litter box.

· 3 weeks:

The cat begins to feel safer, starts exploring more, and learns the new routine. You'll start to see its personality emerge.

· 3 months:

The cat should feel comfortable and secure, no longer nervous, and will display its true personality and confidence.

This is just a guideline, and every cat adjusts at its own pace. Patience and a consistent, calm environment are key during this time.

TNR / Feral Colony Program

The Cats’ Cradle also operates an active Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to humanely manage and reduce the population of feral cats in the community. Through this initiative, cats are safely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to their original territory where they can live healthier lives without contributing to the cycle of overpopulation. By preventing countless litters of unwanted kittens, the TNR program helps create a more balanced, compassionate, and sustainable approach to caring for community cats across the Unifour region.

At The Cats’ Cradle, we are fortunate to work with Henry River Mobile Vet, which offers low-cost services to fully vet a feral cat. The vetting process is similar to that of socialized cats with the exception that feral cats’ ears are “tipped” to help them be identified as having already been spayed, neutered and vaccinated.
Aside from the cost to vet our feral friends, our volunteers also provide food to identified colonies to help cats thrive in their outdoor environment.