Volunteers once built a big pool for two tigers named Samson and Delilah. Today, the same rescue group spends its days caring for house cats who need a forever home.
That shift alone made me stop scrolling. The cats here carry FIV, a virus that scares off many adopters. This group gives them a permanent place to live instead of a waiting list.
Nobody here gets paid. Every bowl filled and every litter box scooped comes from volunteers in Louisiana who simply decided these cats mattered. I can’t imagine a more stubborn kind of kindness.
The story also includes servals, a forced change of plans, and a quiet promise that still holds after 25 years. How does a place go from tigers to tabbies without losing its heart?
FIV Cats Finally Get The Spotlight They Deserve
Three letters can scare off a lot of adopters. FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and it weakens a cat’s immune system over time.
Many people hear that diagnosis and assume the worst. Yogie and Friends FIV+ Cat Sanctuary works hard to change that thinking.
With proper care, FIV positive cats can live good, full lives. The sanctuary loves to remind people that this diagnosis is not the end of the road.
Here’s a fun bit of pride for Louisiana. This is the only sanctuary in the state dedicated to rescuing FIV positive domestic cats.
That means these cats might have had very few options without this group. Shelters often struggle to place them, and many get overlooked.
I like how the sanctuary pairs rescue with education. Teaching people the facts helps cats far beyond its own walls.
Want a practical takeaway? If you ever meet an FIV positive cat at a shelter, ask questions before saying no. Talk with a vet about care needs, and you may discover a wonderful pet who just needed someone willing to learn.
Two Tigers Named Samson And Delilah Started A Very Unusual Story
Yogie and Friends is based near Frierson, Louisiana, south of Shreveport in DeSoto Parish. The organization lists a mailing address on Fob Lane, but it does not publish a confirmed public visitor entrance or regular tour route.
The surrounding area is rural, and the nonprofit’s current website focuses on domestic-cat care, sponsorship, and rescue work rather than visitor attractions. Its current mailing address should not be mistaken for a public admission point.
Contact Yogie and Friends directly before planning any in-person visit, and do not approach private sanctuary property without permission. There is no verified public parking, ticket office, or open tour schedule; donations and cat sponsorships are the documented ways to support the work.
The Big Cats Still Get Visits, Even After Moving Away
Plans changed faster than anyone wanted. The sanctuary had hoped its big cats would live out their lives on site, with the program winding down naturally over time.
Instead, threats forced the group to move its remaining big cats to an off-site boarding location. That kind of change would rattle anyone.
Here’s the part that warms me up. The volunteers did not simply hand the cats off and walk away.
They still visit those big cats, and the animals are reported to be happy and healthy. Loyalty like that is rare, and it says a lot about the people involved.
Boarding a large cat is not cheap, either. Funds raised at sanctuary events help cover those boarding costs, along with other rescue work.
So when someone supports this group, part of that help may still reach the original wild residents. It’s a nice thread connecting the past to the present.
I believe this chapter shows the real character of the organization. They adapted to a hard situation without breaking their promise to the animals who trusted them first.
Fifty-Two Furry Residents Call This Place Forever
Fifty-two cats. Say that number out loud and try not to picture a very busy food line at dinnertime.
That’s how many cats the sanctuary cares for based on its recent updates. Several feral cats also receive help on top of that count.
In past reports, the group supported as many as 64 cats. Either way, that’s a whole lot of whiskers, purrs, and opinions about breakfast.
What makes these numbers special is that the cats stay. The sanctuary does not hold adoption events, because its residents are permanent.
That makes it a true sanctuary in every sense. These cats are not waiting for the next stop, since they’ve already arrived home.
Some cats who need constant medical care stay at a Bossier location. That way, they can get closer attention without missing out on the sanctuary’s care.
I can’t imagine keeping track of 52 personalities. Some are probably shy, some bossy, and some certainly believe every lap belongs to them.
Every one of them gets a lifelong place to belong, which feels like the whole point.
Nobody Here Gets A Paycheck, And That Still Amazes Me
Zero paid staff. Every task at this sanctuary gets handled by volunteers who show up because they care.
That means volunteers feed the cats, clean the litter, and handle the endless chores. Running a home for dozens of cats is no small hobby.
I believe this detail tells you more than any slogan could. People don’t scoop litter for 25 years unless they really mean it.
The sanctuary is a 100 percent volunteer-driven nonprofit. Every dollar donated can go toward the cats instead of salaries.
That kind of setup takes serious commitment. Weekends, holidays, and rainy mornings all still require fresh water and clean bowls.
Cats are not famous for accepting excuses, either. If breakfast is late, everyone hears about it.
This also gives the place a homegrown feel. It’s neighbors and supporters keeping a promise together, one feeding at a time.
If you’ve ever wondered whether small efforts matter, this group answers that question nicely. A handful of dedicated people can keep a whole sanctuary running, and that’s pretty inspiring to think about.
Community Cats Outside The Sanctuary Get Help Too
Feral cats rarely ask for help, but they sure need it. Yogie and Friends FIV+ Cat Sanctuary also runs Trap-Neuter-Release work for these wild-living felines.
The idea is simple and smart. Volunteers humanely trap the cats, get them spayed or neutered, and return them to their outdoor homes.
That approach helps slow the growth of feral cat populations. Fewer kittens born outside means fewer hungry, struggling cats down the road.
The group also cares for several community cat colonies. These colonies are groups of outdoor cats living in shared areas.
Caring for a colony usually means steady feeding and watching for health problems. It’s quiet, behind-the-scenes work that rarely gets applause.
Event fundraising helps cover these efforts, along with boarding for the big cats. So one donation can help in more ways than people might expect.
Here’s a useful tip for your own neighborhood. If you notice a growing group of stray cats, look up local TNR programs before the numbers climb.
Small steps like that can make life better for cats and people alike.
Food And Litter Disappear Faster Than You Would Think
Kibble vanishes. Litter piles shrink. With dozens of cats on site, supplies never stay stocked for long.
The sanctuary calls food and litter a constant need. That’s no surprise when you think about how many mouths and paws are involved.
So how can regular folks help? The group offers several easy ways to pitch in.
Supporters can sponsor an individual cat monthly, quarterly, or yearly. It’s a sweet way to feel connected to one specific furry resident.
Shoppers can also join programs like Kroger Community Rewards. Your regular grocery runs can quietly help the cats without costing you extra effort.
Direct donations matter a lot, too. Since volunteers run everything, those gifts go straight toward care for the animals.
I like how flexible these options are. You don’t need to be wealthy to make a difference here.
Even a single bag of litter can help on a busy week. And honestly, few things feel better than knowing a cat somewhere has a clean box because of you.
Find It On The Map, But Plan To Support From Afar
Frierson sits in the quiet countryside of northwest Louisiana. It’s a small spot south of Shreveport where life moves at an easy pace.
The sanctuary’s mailing address is 140 Fob Lane, Frierson, LA 71027. That’s the right place to send cards, checks, and well wishes.
Before you load up the car, know one key detail. There is no verified public visitor entrance at the sanctuary.
That fits the mission perfectly. These cats are permanent residents, not animals waiting to meet adopters.
Their intake is also closed until further notice. So the group can’t take new cats right now, even if your heart breaks for a stray.
Think of this as a place you cheer for rather than tour. The cats get calm, steady routines, which many of them truly need.
I respect that boundary a lot. Protecting the residents comes first, even if it means fewer photo ops.
Following the sanctuary online is the best way to stay updated. You’ll see news, needs, and maybe a few charming cat faces along the way.
Twenty-Five Years Later, The Promise Still Purrs Along
May 26, 2025 marked a big milestone. Yogie and Friends FIV+ Cat Sanctuary celebrated its 25th anniversary that day.
A quarter century is a long time for any nonprofit. For an all-volunteer group caring for dozens of cats, it’s downright remarkable.
Think about everything packed into those years. Tigers, servals, a forced move, and a brand new focus on FIV positive house cats.
Through every twist, the group kept its eyes on the animals. That steady focus is probably the secret behind its staying power.
The future looks thoughtful, too. The sanctuary plans to adapt its facility to shelter special needs animals and those who can’t be adopted.
That plan matches the heart of the place. Rather than chasing quick adoptions, it makes room for the animals others pass by.
Louisiana is lucky to have a group like this quietly doing the hard work. I believe its story deserves far more attention than it gets.
So raise a can of tuna to 25 years. Here’s hoping the next chapter brings plenty of naps, full bowls, and happy purring.