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Sonia Is Transforming The Painful Stories Of 155+ Cats Into Tales Of Happiness, Support Her

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Large gardens, tall trees, open spaces, and a cage-free life - what could be better than this for a cat? And Cat Sanctuary Goa is all of this and more. Whether it’s basking in the sunlight, or finding comfort in the coziness of the nooks and corners of Sonia Smart’s home, the 155+ cats that live here are probably the happiest cats you’ve ever seen. However, each of them has a painful story. And each of them has healed because of the love they get from Sonia.

“They begin as sad stories, but once they come here, they get better with each passing day. Today, we look after so many cats, many of whom are even challenged. We recently took in a cat from Pune that got electrocuted by a transformer and lost his eye, leg, and tail because of this…but he pulled through. It just goes to show what the right kind of care and a whole lot of love can do for animals. And it’s stories like these that keep me going.” - Sonia Smart, Founder, Cat Sanctuary Goa

Sonia has overcome several challenges over the years to make her home the ideal, happiest and safest place for cats. Her mission is to take in many more cats in need - especially those who are challenged or in imminent danger.

The Nepal Earthquake Led Her To Goa & On Her Path To Being A Cat Rescuer

Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Sonia moved to Goa after the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015 with her 14-year-old daughter. She would drop her to school every day, and stop over at the nearby market where she often found abandoned cats and dogs roaming about.

“People often leave kittens, puppies, and older animals at these markets. Some survive, others end up eating plastic or garbage and don’t make it. The survival rate at markets is quite low, even though the kind vendors do their best to look after them. I started by feeding the cats there, and soon even got them sterilized. I would take the kittens back home to look after them because it was their only chance of survival, and before I knew it, we had 22 cats with us.”

Sonia moved into the 90-year-old Goan house in 2016 with her 22 cats, and over the years took in more of them. Whether it was her rescues, or cats from other rescuers and fosters who don’t have the space to look after many of them, Sonia made space for them in her heart and home. She knows all the 155 cats by their names and shares a special bond with all of them.

“We have cats who are deaf, visually challenged, without a limb, semi-paralyzed, and even Persian cats who’ve been abandoned by people. After all these years, people are familiar with the work I do, but it wasn’t always the case. I have had neighbours complain about me and even had officials come in for surprise inspections, but I’ve always been given a clean chit because of how well they’re looked after here.”

Sonia has a small staff of 6 who help her to keep the sanctuary spotless, safe, and comfortable. She also continues feeding cats at the market with help from her family and even gets them sterilised.

However, She Needs Your Support To Continue Keeping The Cats Safe & Healthy

Sonia's rented house is an older building that requires some work on the fencing. Certain sections need to be barricaded to prevent cats from hurting themselves as they tend to be curious and explore. Additionally, Sonia needs help building a shed where she can clean the 300 litter trays and other items without them being destroyed during the monsoon season.

"We have previously constructed temporary sheds using bamboo, but unfortunately, they were not durable enough and ended up getting destroyed. To ensure the safety and well-being of the cats, we need to get construction materials to build a stronger fence and shed. We also require support in terms of cat food and medicines. There was a time when I had to go into debt to buy cat food, which has been a huge challenge. With your help, I can ensure that these cats never go hungry again."

Sonia has recently rescued an abandoned cat from the airport and is preparing to take in a cat who is challenged due to crackers being burst near her. Her tireless efforts never stop. And with your support, she can give many more innocent animals the home they deserve.

About the NGO: Cat Sanctuary Goa, founded by Sonia Smart, provides a haven for over 155 cats, many of whom have overcome painful pasts. Sonia, driven by compassion, initially rescued cats from local markets. Her 90-year-old Goan home now serves as a sanctuary for challenged, abandoned, and at-risk felines. Despite challenges, Sonia and her dedicated team ensure the well-being of the cats, offering them a cage-free life in a spacious, garden-filled environment.

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