Stories from jCamp 2025

Cat’s Cradle: Offering a Compassionate Community for Cats

Fighting feline overpopulation, one paw at a time.

Leila Freimanis, Fernanda Ventura Palomo, and Lucas Mora • July 9, 2025

Resting peacefully, one of the many cats at the Cat’s Cradle eyes the passing crowd. Often, the older cats are less social, opting to rest for most of the day. Photo by Lucas Mora.

Everyone is familiar with shelters: empty rooms cramming animals, displaying them just for the slight chance they might get adopted.

Cat’s Cradle is different.

Located on Main Street in Harrisonburg, Cat’s Cradle sets a higher standard for cat care. With their open rooms and countless toys, the cats are allowed to be themselves. For the customers, the experience is just as relaxing through the countless ways to connect with the cats.

Beginning in 1998, the shelter runs a “no-kill” mindset avoiding common euthanasia practices other facilities use. Cat’s Cradle makes sure all of the kittens entering the shelter are spayed and neutered, allowing further ease for the cat and future adopters.

“I want to make sure that everybody is getting their cats spayed and neutered, even if it’s just the one they’re feeding on their porch,” said Sherri Harrison, Executive Director of Cat’s Cradle.

Tequila stares up at staff member eagerly waiting to play. Just recently brought in, Tequila is now 3 months old and is currently up for adoption. In his specific area, he is the most energetic, often playing with the various toys in his room. Photo by Lucas Mora.

Cat’s Cradle started many programs to help out cats all over their community. Their main one is the “Trap, Neuter & Return Program.” The program targets roaming cats in the streets, or any cat getting neutered, spayed and making sure the cats have everything they need. This year the team has taken in, neutered and returned cats 1,430 times.

Their new Cat Café expands the mission of human-cat connections, allowing customers to enjoy coffee while spending quality time with the cats. With taking in almost 700 cats and successfully carrying out over 600 adoptions both annually, Cat’s Cradle serves itself as a powerful non-profit, dedicated to serving the community.

Heishman fostered cats for 17-18 years prior to entering her role in Cat’s Cradle in 2022.

Her family has fostered about 100 cats. “It’s very rewarding,” Heishman said. Fostering taught her children the importance of volunteering, giving back to the community and responsibility.

Heishman came into the nonprofit with new and exciting ideas to better their business and take it to the next level.

“We have increased our funding, we’ve increased our operating budget, and the ability to take in more cats and kittens,” she said.

During her leadership the Cat’s Cradle outreach program has grown, the connection of the business with the community has improved and overall striving.

Heishman’s work with the cats in her community along with her generosity and care has been seen and appreciated within the shops, families, the team and most importantly the cats.

Jocelyn Portillo- Romero is an employee at Cats Cradle. She’s been working there for a few months now. Portillo- Romero here is explaining what she does on July 7. Photo by Lucas Mora.

Jocelyn Portillo-Romero, has been working with Cat’s Cradle since March. Although, her journey with cats and kittens did not start there. Portillo-Romero started her feline experience when she adopted two of her own cats.

When Portillo-Romero began her position at the nonprofit, she began helping at PetSmart events and the foster center located in Harrisonburg. She is now the phone/adoption counselor.

Portillo-Romero’s favorite part about working in the Cat’s Cradle business is being around the cats.

“Some of them are chaotic, but they are just so sweet and loving and make my day great,” Portillo-Romero said. “It’s so rewarding to see them grow and give love, while having love for them.”

Helping get cats off the streets and spayed/neutered is another mission Portillo-Romero said the employees help do. The cats and kittens can come in bad shape, which is why Cat’s Cradle works closely with foster centers and vet technicians to ensure the cats are adoptable.

3-year-old adopted Benny roams around Lady Jane. Located across the street from Cat’s Cradle, Lady Jane fosters various cats, including one named Danny. Photo by Lucas Mora.

Cat’s Cradle strives to get these cats off the streets and into foster homes. If cats stay in shelters for long periods of time, they can end up being feral and not appealing for fosterers.

“It’s better if they are in a good home,” Portillo-Romero said. “When they are in a good home, they become more playful and sweet around humans.”

Cat’s Cradle offers an inviting and compassionate space helping cats around the community. Their aiding to the cause of overpopulation helps give the cats a chance at a life full of love and joy. All members of the community can find themselves here at Cat’s Cradle.