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Cat

The Cat House on the Kings rescues around 1,500 cats annually and sees expenses of up to $100,000 each month. The largest no-cage, no-kill cat sanctuary has never had a feline escape the 12-acre property. Photo by Ben Hensley

published on November 18, 2022 - 12:46 PM
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Located about 20 miles outside of Fresno on the shore of the Kings River near Reedley sits a lovely 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom house on 12 acres of land owned by Lynea Lattanzio and leased to several hundred cats from across the Valley and around the world.

Founded in 1992 by Lattanzio out of her own home, the Cat House on the Kings is currently home to more than 900 cats and kittens, many of which are available for adoption.

Her home is now home to the cats at the sanctuary, with Lattanzio relocating to a trailer on the property with her two personal cats.

Initially starting as a six-acre property, Lattanzio expanded the Cat House when the organization purchased an additional six acres in 2004.

The Cat House on the Kings is the largest no-cage, no-kill, lifetime cat sanctuary with a goal of placing rescued felines into permanent homes. The nonprofit also focuses on educating the public about responsible pet ownership, including offering low-cost spay/neuter services for cat owners.

“There’s such a great need in the San Joaquin Valley to rescue cats,” said Tammy Barker, assist director of the Cat House on the Kings. “That’s what inspires us — the need to continue to do what we do to save cats.”

The organization rescues around 1,500 cats annually, according to Barker.

Comfort and safety for the felines is a top priority at the Cat House, with each cat microchipped and logged in a database including their color, weight, age, distinguishing features and health information. The 12-acre property is surrounded by “cat proof” fencing, preventing the cats from climbing out and escaping, while still allowing them to remain in contact with the outside world.

“We do have skunks and raccoons come on the property,” Barker said. “They don’t hurt the cats — they just want the cat food.”

To date, the Cat House has never had a cat escape the property.

With separate quarantine areas for new intakes, sick felines and cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), as well as an ICU, the Cat House has an on-call veterinarian, as well as 16 veterinary technicians to keep the cats healthy.

As a nonprofit organization, the Cat House on the Kings receives no government assistance or funding whatsoever, operating completely on donations.

Barker said the Cat House can see expenses of up to $100,000 monthly, purchasing 1,200 cans of cat food, 1,500 pounds of cat kibble and 1,000 pounds of cat litter per week, as well as 10 gallons of laundry detergent, 100 rolls of paper towels, 300 large trash bags, 15 gallons of bleach, 400 kitchen-size trash bags and 10 gallons of dish-washing detergent per week.

“The expenses are huge,” Barker said. “The cats that are loose on the property, since they’re going to live out their lives, we want them to be able to run free and be loose and be cats.”

Cats and kittens are also accepted at the sanctuary, with relinquishments processed through the founder.

“Right now we’re full, so we don’t have any room to take in adult cats,” Barker said. “We are accepting small kittens right now, probably 5 to 7 or 8 weeks old, but they’d have to talk to her [Lattanzio].”

Charges are often waived for kitten relinquishments, with adult cat relinquishments being charged on a case-to-case basis as deemed by Lattanzio.

In addition to providing a home for felines, as well as an adoption center, Barker said the center is often toured and visited by the public.

“We love to have visitors and tours,” she said. “It’s really a great place to come; people can come out and have a picnic and bring their family. Even if they’re not looking to adopt, it’s a really lovely place to visit.”

Barker added that the Cat House on the Kings has hosted weddings and birthday parties in addition to visits and tours.

Adoptions, relinquishments and donations for Cat House on the Kings are accepted through their website cathouseonthekings.com. 


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