Fauna, Sanctuary Cats
Sanctuary Cats
Hi everyone!
This winter has already been very cold and snowy, and it’s not even officially winter yet! We hope you are all staying warm!
The farm cats have been greatly appreciating the heat lamps we have set up for them inside the hoophouse, as well as straw to burrow down into. In the video above you can see and hear the wind gusting outside, but Charlie the cat is completely cozy and undisturbed.
Following are a few picture of the setup we have for them.
This is a heated water bowl (to keep it from freezing), along with some kibble that is out only during the day so it doesn’t attract other wildlife. In the morning and evening we feed them raw meet so the kibble is really only there for those who might miss the morning or evening feeding.
Besides the meat we give them, they also do a great job of mousing for us in the hoophouse!
As you can see in these pictures, there is plenty of snow and ice outside, but is a very nice shelter inside.
Besides the heat lamps (there is another one not shown here), we also have a blanket tent with pillows set up for them that they can also use.
But mostly they really seem to prefer the heat lamps and straw, I think because they can keep a watch out for anything that feels threatening to them.
So that is our set up, and we thank you for your support which also goes to help the many stray cats that come our way!
We appreciate you all very much!!
Jean, and everyone at the Sanctuary
Share this article
Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
