She's the cat's meow

Local woman helps find homes for wayward felines.

By Andra Atteberry

Posted: July 27, 2009 at 7:39 a.m.

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BELLA VISTA — A cat-rescue organization has risen from the ashes of a fire that occurred on Swanage Circle on March 7, 2007.

Homeowner Melody Carroll started All 4 the Animals Rescue Inc. in remembrance of her cats that died in the fire.

Carroll dedicated herself to helping stray cats find good homes, she said. She established the rescue group and received articles of incorporation, signed by Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniels, in December 2007.

Carroll's husband, Bill, and friend Cathy Scroggin serve on the rescue board. They are looking for other board members

Carroll started taking stray and homeless cats into her rebuilt home in January 2008. She now has 100 cats, the maximum she can take. The rescue group is here for the long haul, Scroggin explained. If anything happens to Melody Carroll, Scroggin will step in to see that the cats are cared for and the mission to rescue and find homes for the strays continues.

But right now, the rescue outfit needs help, Scroggin said. The greatest need is for people to come and adopt cats so the Carrolls can have room to take in more strays. The group is also looking for people willing to be fosterparents for some cats.

Scroggin is taking care of one feline who was injured, but there are more cats that could use special care, she said. The Carrolls' 5,000-square-foot home is set up to house the cats they have now. When the couple rebuilt their home, they added two porches, one upstairs and one downstairs, at the back of the house. The porches are designed just for the felines. Glass windows on each level overlook Lake Avalon.

At the top of each porch is a walkway so the cats can walk around the rooms. The animals can also take stairs up or down to each porch area. The upper area has additional walkways in the middle - bypasses to avoid walking around the whole area. Litter boxes are hidden underneath what looks like wide window seats. Every cat the rescue group accepts goes to a veterinarian for vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering and other medical treatment. In addition to adoptive cat owners, the rescue group can use volunteers to help care for the animals. The group is looking for donations of towels, blankets, paper towels and money for food, cat litter and medical expenses. Carroll has applied for nonprofit status and expects to receive the designation soon, but until it comes through, All 4 the Animals Rescue is considered a for-profit organization.

To find out more about how to adopt a cat or offer other help, call 531-0456 or e-mail to melody@arkansas.net.

News, Pages 8 on 07/27/2009

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