In 1997, Sheila Smith came across a cat in need in a parking lot: injured, frightened, and easily overlooked. She brought the cat home to her husband, Dr. Roy Smith. After nursing them back to health, Sheila found herself tumbling down a rabbit hole of information about Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and the widespread, often invisible suffering faced by community cats. What began as a single act of kindness ignited a fire in her heart. With renewed purpose, Sheila and her husband dedicated their lives and their home to helping cats in need for the next twenty years.
By 2004, the growing number of medically complex cats in their care made the need abundantly clear; the idea of a standalone sanctuary was born. Shadow Cats achieved nonprofit status with a clear goal: to create a home designed specifically for cats who are so often relegated to the shadows, a place where they could live their lives in peace and safety. Sheila Smith and Jacki Quaile, co-presidents of the board, faced the challenge of making that vision a reality.
Thanks to generous, foundational support from the Juried Family Foundation, B&D&B&LP, and friends and supporters from across the globe, that dream came to life. In 2019, Shadow Cats purchased a beautiful home in Round Rock, Texas. Through the extraordinary volunteer efforts of a project manager, an architect, and a builder/tradesman, the home was expanded, then doubled in size, and later tripled in size. Every addition was thoughtfully designed with the cats in mind, reflecting the philosophy that guides all we do
On June 9th, 2019, the cats moved into their new home. More than 3,500 square feet were created for them, and through the collective efforts of many, countless cats have since lived out their lives in comfort, dignity, and peace at the sanctuary.
Each room features access to a screened-in catio, complete with high shelves for lounging, toys for play, and plenty of scratching posts and cat trees to climb. Sunlight pours in, and cat doors allow the cats to come and go at their own discretion, except when Texas weather requires us to make that decision for them. Beds are scattered throughout the space, along with chairs perfect for curling up. This is their home, and when you walk into Shadow Cats, that much is immediately evident.
While we often say that all of our Shadow Cats are adoptable to the right home, our focus is on giving them their forever home here. For however long or short their time with us may be, quality of life is always paramount. Our cats receive excellent medical care, are endlessly loved by staff and volunteers, and are free to experience life safely and comfortably, without the hardships and dangers they once faced.
It is a privilege to share in their lives. Under the stewardship of Shadow Cats, this sanctuary will continue to stand as a place of safety, compassion, and care, serving cats today and generations to come.