Our Story
Paraguay is a rapidly developing country, boasting a renewable energy infrastructure and growing GDP. But, from Asunción to Luque, stray cats roam the streets. There is little government support to address this pressing issue so Muriell Carlisle, our founder, took matters into her own hands. She purchased land and built the cat sanctuary, named Gatina, herself. It was completed in July 2024. While it’s up and running, there are still many ongoing needs: proper beds for the cats, maintenance work in the backyard, repairs, and more.
We currently employ one full-time veterinarian and one full-time cleaning staff member. Medicine is a constant need, as many of our sanctuary cats require ongoing care. To date, we’ve rescued around 170 cats, many of whom were in critical condition when we found them.
Trapping, spaying, and neutering cats is a proven method of humanely managing community cat populations to ensure that each feline's basic needs are met. We’ve spayed and neutered over 300 cats in the local community—completely free of charge for low-income families. Year-round, we also offer affordable sterilization services at about one-third the cost of local veterinarians, simply to cover the costs of the procedure and recovery.
Our goal is to expand support for Gatina’s rescue and veterinary efforts in Paraguay, while also assisting stray cats in Oregon, Florida, and ultimately across the U.S. and Latin America.
Join our LIfesaving Mission
About
Saving Kitties
Our Mission
Our mission at Sanctuary Gatina, based in Paraguay, is to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide safe haven to stray cats—while also supporting low-income communities through affordable veterinary services.
Education is another key focus: sadly, cats in many areas are still seen as pests. Cruelty is common—they are often used as toys for children or as bait for dogs. We're not afraid to speak the truth—even when it's uncomfortable. These cats deserve better, and raising awareness is part of our work.
How We Help
.jpg)
.jpg)
Our Founder
My name is Muriell Carlisle, and I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Oregon and Florida. While I’ve spent my career helping people heal, my heart has also long been devoted to another mission: saving cats in need.
This journey began years ago while I was living in Italy. On the streets of Sicily, I found a tiny, one-month-old kitten—alone, frightened, and desperate for care. I named her Gati, and from the moment I rescued her, my life changed. When I moved back to the U.S. in 2020, Gati came with me. She's still a little wild at heart—fiercely territorial and queen of our home—but she’s also deeply affectionate, incredibly intelligent, and the reason I discovered this calling. Though Gati doesn’t allow other cats near our home (believe me, I’ve tried!), my desire to help never stopped.
I began feeding feral colonies in my local community of Riddle, Oregon—making sure to care for them far enough from home to keep the peace. Then, in 2024, something truly heartbreaking caught my attention: the overwhelming number of abused and neglected cats in Paraguay. Through Facebook rescue groups, I witnessed unimaginable suffering. My heart broke daily… until I decided to take action.
That’s when Saving Kitties was born—a dream turned mission to rescue and protect stray, abandoned, and mistreated cats across the U.S. and Latin America.
Today, I’m more determined than ever. What began with one rescue cat has become a growing vision of compassion, hope, and change. I believe with all my heart that together, we can build something extraordinary—a sanctuary of love and safety for cats who have no voice of their own.
Thank you for visiting our page. Thank you for caring. And thank you for being part of this journey.
Together, we can save them—one kitty at a time.
What We've Accomplished
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
