Matthews resident tells commissioners rescuers are overwhelmed, urges emergency shelter capacity

Laura Withers, founder of the No Kyo Cat Collective, urged the Matthews Board of Commissioners on Nov. 24 to address what she described as an urgent shortage of humane shelter and overflow capacity for animals in the town.

"We have over 1000 animals that are being found in the Matthews area," Withers told the board during the public-comment portion of the meeting. "They're being turned away from animal control because they don't have the room." She said animals are being left on streets and that local rescuers are providing emergency medical care and foster placements where possible.

Withers said her organization focuses on critical-care cases and that volunteers and a partner animal hospital are providing care. "I have personally spent the last 20 years probably close to 1000000 dollars of my own personal money," she said, adding that No Kyo Cat Collective currently has about 50 people on its board and relies on personal funds for medical fosters.

Commissioners asked follow-up questions about feral-cat counts and logistics. Mayor John Higdon agreed to post Withers' presentation materials to the town website for further review.

Why it matters: Withers framed the issue as both an animal-welfare and taxpayer concern, saying animals turned away from animal control become a community problem. The board did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; staff and commissioners asked questions and requested materials be posted for consideration.

The public comment concluded without a vote; any next steps would depend on staff follow-up or a future agenda item.