Brenda Wilson, president of Grant County Friends of the Shelter in Williamstown, Kentucky, has long focused on preventing animal suffering in Grant County. Years ago, she told me something I’ve never forgotten: approximately 96 percent of animals who entered the shelter did not make it out. It was that realization that pushed Brenda to begin a grassroots effort in the 1990’s to stop suffering before it started. Today, Brenda leads the volunteer nonprofit at the Grant County Animal Shelter, focusing on prevention, education, and practical programs (like spay/neuter initiatives) that reduce the number of animals who ever need rescue. Her work has inspired many in the community to take small, creative steps to help animals in their own backyards.
Brenda shared with me a story of one such act of kindness the work of Sherry— a Grant County resident who took matters into her own hands to help animals in her neighborhood.
Hometown Heroes
A few winters ago, Sherry discovered seven feral cats huddled under her porch, sharing the space with a groundhog and a possum. Determined to keep them safe during the harsh winter, she and her husband built small wooden shelters — or “cat abodes” — complete with doors, windows, and tiny decks. “When that winter hit, we had seven cats, a groundhog, and a possum all living under our porch. It was fourteen below, and I just could not stand it,” Sherry said. What started as a simple act of compassion became a cozy, weatherproof refuge where the cats could rest and stay protected through the coldest months.
Together they turned it into something closer to a guest cottage than a shelter. Cat trees, chairs, and a soft rug make it warm, lived in, and loved. A narrow wooden deck provides a perch for resting cats and a dry place on rainy days. The small entry used by the cats, raised off the ground to keep the interior dry and sheltered. Now the structure sits behind their house, fitted with self-heating pads for winter, cooling pads for summer, and a camera so Sherry can check on her guests.
Even with the challenges, vet bills, wildlife visitors, and constant cleanup, she speaks about the cats the way someone might talk about a garden that refuses to stop growing. “Anything my husband or I can do to make life better for an animal or a person, we should. I think we all should,” Sherry says. A sign inside the shed says it best: “Life is better with a cat or two or five.” It’s proof that design and heart can share the same space and it reminded me why these small stories matter.
Prevention in Action
Sherry’s project is more than a cat shelter; it is a literal blueprint for compassion. What began as a few strays under a porch became a handmade home where kindness lives year-round. Sherry and her husband are not the only ones building structures like this. Across the nation, others have taken similar steps to give feral cats safe, weatherproof places to live. Together, they form a quiet network of care. And it wasn’t long before the dog-lovers start tuning out. Now Grant County Friends of the Shelter works with dogs, too. Although you will not find dog colonies hiding under porches, you will find the same heart behind every rescue and adoption.
Sherry’s project is just one example of the care and creativity happening in the community. Grant County Friends of the Shelter continues to expand its prevention work, having helped spay and neuter thousands of cats and dogs through local programs. They also support TNVR — Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return — an approach that humanely manages outdoor cat populations. It is prevention made practical and deeply humane. If you’re inspired to help, grantcountyfriendsoftheshelter.org shares volunteer opportunities and donation options.
Build Your Own
For anyone inspired to create a little comfort of their own, there are simple ways to get started. Here’s a list of resources:
Local builders and suppliers:
DIY guides and inspiration
Ready-made options
Stores like Tractor Supply, Lowe’s, and
PetSmart all carry insulated and customizable pet houses, some complete with
porches of their own.
Shelter With Purpose
In a backyard or through the work of Grant County Friends of the Shelter, the intention is the same: to offer safety, comfort, and love. Whether it’s from wood, straw, or a few sheets of siding, you can build something that feels like home.
Photos courtesy of Brenda Wilson and Sherry Fields
