IN A quiet corner of Bedford County, a dedicated woman is on a mission to save the lives of cats, one feline at a time. Blake Nutter is the founder of A Nutter Cat Rescue, a nonprofit organization that’s making a significant impact in the local community by addressing the pressing issue of feline overpopulation and providing a safe haven for homeless cats and kittens.
“Basically, we take in mother cats and kittens, sick kitties, and senior kitties. We get them healthy, dewormed, treated for fleas, fix them, and then find them loving homes,” Nutter said.
She has been rescuing cats for six years now, four years being in Bedford County.
She takes in mother cats with their kittens, gets them spayed or neutered, and finds them loving homes, which isn’t always easy.
The journey of A Nutter Cat Rescue began when Blake and her family moved to Bedford County. The more people learned about her rescue efforts, the more they reached out for help. Blake realized the county’s dire situation, where countless cats struggled to survive on the streets.
“Our house was overrun with cats in need,” she said. “Every room had a mom with kittens, and we had our own cats as well. So, my husband offered the upstairs of his shop to create a space for the rescue.” Thus, “Kitty City” was born.
What started as a grassroots effort to save a few cats quickly became more significant. New Destiny Dog Rescue recognized the potential of A Nutter Cat Rescue and offered to support them in becoming the official cat rescue of Bedford County. With their newfound status and growing network of volunteers, A Nutter Cat Rescue has saved over a hundred cats and kittens in just a few months, giving them the medical care and loving homes they deserve.
A Nutter Cat Rescue’s reach extends far beyond Bedford County, thanks to the couple’s musical past and the dedicated community of supporters.
“My husband and I were musicians in our past life, so we have a following all over the U.S.,” Nutter said. “We’ve been able to leverage this network to find homes for cats, even as far away as Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota.”
With a recent 501(c)(3) verification, A Nutter Cat Rescue is now on a mission to seek sponsors, funding, and apply for grants.
“My mission is to address the community cat problem,” Nutter said. “I want to create a trap-and-release program with incentives to encourage more involvement. We have to get them all fixed. That’s what I aim to do.”
The issues they face are numerous, from countless sick cats to the heartbreaking cases of amputations and blindness due to untreated medical conditions. The problem in Bedford County, as in many places, is spiraling out of control. Nutter credits Cosmo’s Kitten Rescue, Bedford County Animal Control, and Fluff for helping guide her and find resources as she started her nonprofit.
Blake Nutter’s determination is inspiring and serves as a reminder of the need for community involvement.
“The problem is, the females are the ones that get pregnant, but the male cats are the ones spreading the issue. It’s a vicious cycle, and we need to get it under control,” Nutter emphasized.
The nonprofit is doing what it can with its limited resources, and they’ve had support from various individuals and organizations. One key supporter has been County Commissioner Anita Epperson, who has been instrumental in helping Blake Nutter connect with the right people to make a difference in Bedford County.
If you want to support A Nutter Cat Rescue or get involved, please reach out to Blake Nutter, the passionate founder, and her team.
She said, “Together, we can work toward a future where cats in Bedford County no longer suffer from neglect and abandonment but find loving homes and a brighter future.” GN
