Hidden away in a cove in the mountains near Cullowhee, North Carolina visitors can find The Catman2:  Cat’s only--- Shelter--- Adoption Center--- and Sanctuary. Owned and operated by Dr. Harold Sims, a retired Junior College Professor and his wife Kay. The unique facility houses an average of 60 felines who live a life of luxury in a shelter without cages. The shelter was designed and built after the Sims’ visited the aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN. There fish swam in large tanks. Like the fish, Harold’s cats roam freely in large rooms with a view and in turn can be viewed by visitors through large windows. Each room has things for cats to climb upon, places to hide and a large screened porch where a cat can enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and a view of the nearby mountains. The few cats that are caged are only kept there long enough to be checked out by a vet, proclaimed healthy and vaccinated. Then they meet new friends in this spacious 3600 square foot building.

Some cats are allowed to leave one of the rooms and greet people as they enter the visitor’s room. Here the cats roam free to weave around the legs of guests work their feline magic. From here one can walk in a circle along wide hallways to view cats in other rooms. The walls of the halls, opposite the cat windows, are bedecked with a large collection of cat art collected by the Sims at craft shows, auctions, shops, and flea markets. There are no valuable pieces but each represents a treasure found when the Sims have had time to travel. Artwork includes almost every medium from lithographs taken from books to large works in oil, pastel, ink, watercolor and needlework. Much would be considered Folk Art.

Visitors will not be pressured to adopt a cat but most are adoptable and we do charge an adoption fee. Catman2 is a no-kill shelter and cats are welcome to stay until a good “Forever” home is found. No cats are euthanized unless our vet agrees they no longer live a quality life. Very few stay long enough to meet these criteria.In the past 12 years more than 3000 cats have found new homes. There is no admission, but donations are welcome. It costs a lot to feed 60 plus kitties and we are working to raise funds for an endowment fund to ensure our future. Catman2 is a tax-exempt 501 c 3 shelter and donations may be tax deductible. Visiting hours are flexible and by appointment. Drop ins are discouraged as we have few staff members and each day brings unforeseen tasks like taking cats to the vet for spay or neuter or picking up a stray in need of rescue.

To plan a visit, call the Catman 828 293 0892 any morning around 10:30 AM or send an e-mail to hsims@catman2.org  E-mails are read late each evening after the cats are tucked into their beds. Check out our web page  www.catman2.org for more information and to view a video of the operation and see photos of the cats in residence.

We hope you will consider a visit when you are in Western North Carolina. Cullowhee is located about sixty miles west of Asheville off route 107 south. We are three miles from the main gate of , Home of the Catamounts.