A cat sanctuary on Woodleigh Street
A safe place for Woodleigh Street's cats
The Woodleigh Cats is a small sanctuary caring for a colony of feral and community cats in Houston. What started with one neighbor feeding a few strays has grown into a daily commitment — and we're still here, every day, making sure these cats are fed, healthy, and safe.
Who we are
It started small
Paul Drake moved into an apartment where a neighbor was already feeding a few stray cats nearby. When she could no longer keep it up, Paul stepped in. Over time, more cats found their way to the colony — the way word does among cats looking for a safe place to land.
Paul is now a registered colony manager with BARC, the City of Houston's animal shelter and animal-control agency. He spends his spare time feeding the colony twice a day, watching for illness or injury, and talking with neighbors about why TNR and compassionate care for strays matter. When cats grow very old, they retire indoors into Paul's own apartment, where they live out their years as house cats.
Paul serves as President, alongside board members Katrina Ellsworth and Bob Morgan. Katrina has also built several of the colony's improvements by hand — including the cat cottage and shelters you'll see on our Projects page.
Meet the Cats
Get to know the colony's residents, including longtime regulars Earl and Phil. Photos update straight from our Facebook page.
See the gallery →Why TNR
What trap-neuter-return means, the evidence that it works, and why every cat in our colony has been through it.
Learn about TNR →Our Projects
The insulated cat cottage, weather shelters, and catnip flowerbeds built for the colony — mostly by hand.
See what we've built →Cat Tips
Practical advice for anyone caring for strays or community cats near them — from winter shelters to found kittens.
Read the tips →Support the colony
We're not a registered nonprofit, so we can't offer a tax deduction — but every dollar you give goes straight to food and vet care for the cats. You can also reach us anytime on Facebook or by email at drake9930@gmail.com.