Catmandu is a non-profit cat sanctuary founded in Carson City, Nevada in 2014. Since our founding ten years ago, our mission has been to provide a safe and loving home for cats. We are one of only a handful of cage-free sanctuaries in the country. Catmandu offers a unique living environment that prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of its feline residents. Unlike traditional shelters, Catmandu is committed to a no-kill policy, ensuring that every cat has the opportunity to find a forever home.
The story of Catmandu is brought to you by Founder and President Linda Buchanan.
My life had been turned upside down by the death of my beloved husband, Kurt, who passed due to bladder cancer on April 19, 2012. All my hopes and dreams for the future died along with him. I planned to live as quietly as possible passing the time until I got to join him.
.jpg)
Catmandu’s story started while trying to find help for a cat named Carson (pictured left), a stray who was in dire circumstances. In helping Carson I learned quickly there were virtually no resources for cats in Carson City. At the time there was an outdated and undersized animal shelter and a couple of organizations that had foster home programs. However there was nowhere near enough assistance to meet the needs of the local cat population.
Instead of waiting for the government or professionals to hopefully do something one day; I decided to do what I could, RIGHT NOW, to help fill the urgent need for housing, adoptions, and resources. I cashed out Kurt's pension and sold almost everything I owned.
The cats needed help, a lot of help and they needed it NOW! I said, "Somebody should do something!!"
... and then I realized ’m somebody!
I came up with $20,000 to fund start-up costs. I found the perfect facility at 1829 Brown Street, a 3,900 SqFt facility on a half-acre of property with lots of space, rooms, and windows. At the time it was a wreck when I rented it, but with the help of a few dedicated volunteers, small donations of cash and materials, lots of creativity, ingenuity in repurposing and reusing (scavenging at thrift stores and yard sales) and a make-do can-do attitude, Catmandu was born in early 2014. Over the years we’ve learned, changed, and constantly improved.
However, in 2023 the age of the building, decades of deferred maintenance, and the hard wear and tear from around 2700 cats over the years finally reached a crisis point. The roof was leaking, the floors were disintegrating, the paint had been scrubbed off the walls, and a lot of other repairs were needed. With the help of a few generous donors and some absolutely amazing volunteers, we closed for 3 months to give the inside of the building a thorough makeover and get a new roof.While a lot has changed over the years, one thing stays the same, our dedication to helping homeless and at-risk cats have a better life and providing a warm welcoming place for cats needing a safe place to wait for their furever home.
