Last Updated on 24 October 2025 by Vanessa
The first time I heard about the cat shelter Cat Rescue in Woluwe-St-Lambert was two years ago.
I wanted to help a homeless pet but couldn’t find a good match as I was still grieving my former cat, Avalon.
A friend sent me a link to the Cat Rescue website, and that’s where I noticed a photo of Romero (he was still called Herbert back then). His profile stayed open on my computer for several days , and I adopted him on December 22nd, 2014. He’s now happily purring by my side.
But today, I invite you to meet the other feline residents of this remarkable shelter during their Halloween open doors event.
As you will see, Cat Rescue is no ordinary shelter; it’s a haven of hope for countless homeless and abandoned cats and has been a pillar of compassion, dedicated to the welfare of felines in need since 2011.
Come on in! There are lots of Halloween treats inside… 🎃🍩 🍪🧁 🍰
Get yourself some quiche and a vegan Halloween muffin.
The shelter cats
Now let’s focus on the cats…
My heart found a soft spot for Balou, a majestic cat with a rugged appearance.
Don’t be deceived by his looks, for beneath the tough exterior lies 8.2 kg of pure love.
Balou’s journey at Cat Rescue symbolizes the transformation these felines undergo once they find love and care.
Among the other delightful residents was Ophélia, whose gentle gaze melts the coldest hearts.
While I was there, a visitor adopted Hector, a playful and affectionate cat who had been waiting for a loving family.
A short history of Cat Rescue
Cat Rescue ASBL was founded in 2011 by France Evrard, a biology graduate with a deep love for animals.
The organization’s primary mission is to rescue and care for stray, mistreated, abandoned, and neglected cats.
Originally headquartered at Rue Langeveld, 65/2 in 1180 Uccle, Cat Rescue has since expanded its operations.
No matter the condition or circumstance, the shelter takes in every unfortunate feline that crosses its path. They firmly stand against euthanasia and seek to find loving forever homes for every rescued cat.
The well-being of these cats is of utmost priority. The shelter provides them with a balanced diet of the highest quality, including wet food, kibble, and kitty milk to keep their bellies content and their bodies healthy.
The large outdoor area allows the cats to stretch their legs, play, and bask in the sun, ensuring they remain active and happy.
By the way, how lovely are those autumn colors?
Cat Rescue also offers temporary shelter to sick street cats, ensuring they have a safe place to heal and recover.
Upon receiving reports of cats in dire straits, Cat Rescue promptly mobilizes its team of volunteers to provide aid and save them from their lives of misery.
However, they do not provide services such as pet boarding or medical care for cats belonging to individuals.
Through the unwavering efforts of its founder and her committed team of volunteers, Cat Rescue has emerged as a beacon of hope and compassion for countless stray cats. Their work and dedication continue to transform the lives of these innocent beings, one rescue at a time.
How to help and support Cat Rescue?
If you’re interested in helping Cat Rescue and their mission to care for stray and abandoned cats in Brussels, there are several ways you can contribute. Here are a few ideas:
Donate
Cat Rescue doesn’t receive any government funding, so they run entirely on the kindness of animal lovers like you.
That means every donation, big or small, helps keep their work going. Your support pays for essential medicines, spaying and neutering, and food for their furry residents.
Here are a few simple ways to make a difference:
Collaborate with friends
A simple but effective idea is to form a small support group where each person donates just €1 a month.
Even small amounts from a lot of people can add up to make a real difference.
Host a sale or auction
Organizing a sale of pre-loved clothes, toys, or household items can be a fun and meaningful way to raise funds. Let buyers know that all proceeds will go directly toward the care of the cats.
Organize a fundraiser
Fundraising events such as bake sales, charity runs, or online campaigns are another way to help the organization continue its work.
You can also allocate a portion of your business earnings to Cat Rescue.
In my case, there are months when I choose to donate a percentage of my book sales to the shelter.
Donate supplies
Monetary donations are not the only option. Donations of cat food, medicine, or equipment are also useful. Contact the shelter directly to find out what is most needed at any given time.
Raise awareness
Sharing information about the organization’s work with friends, family, and on social media can help attract new donors, volunteers, and adopters.
Greater awareness often leads to more resources and, ultimately, more permanent homes for the cats.
Adopt
Adoption is one of the most rewarding ways to support Cat Rescue. By visiting the shelter’s website and exploring the available cats, you may find a perfect companion waiting for you.
Who knows, you may have an instant connection with a cat, just like I instantly fell in love with my Romero.
Volunteer
The organization relies on volunteers to carry out many essential daily tasks that ensure the wellbeing of the cats. Common volunteer activities where you could help out include:
-
Feeding and care: Making sure the cats are well-fed, have fresh water, and live in clean, comfortable spaces.
-
Fostering: Providing temporary homes for cats until they are adopted. Fostering helps reduce overcrowding and offers cats a chance to adjust to a home environment.
-
Cleaning: Maintaining hygienic and pleasant living areas.
-
Medical assistance: Volunteers with training may help administer medications or support treatment routines.
-
Adoption events: Assisting at events by presenting cats to potential adopters and helping with the adoption process.
-
Transportation: Driving cats to veterinary appointments, foster homes, or adoption events.
-
Trapping: Helping to humanely trap stray or feral cats so they can receive medical care and be spayed or neutered.
-
Photography and promotion: Taking photos and creating profiles to help cats get noticed online.
-
Administrative work: Supporting the shelter with record-keeping and organizational tasks.
-
Education and outreach: Promoting responsible pet ownership and the benefits of adoption.
Every volunteer, donor, and advocate contributes to giving these cats a better future.
Address and opening hours
Address
Avenue de Mai 216, 1200 Woluwe-St-Lambert, Belgium (close to the metro station Gribaumont).
Update: The address of Cat Rescue has since changed. You can now find the shelter at Rue Voot 97, 1200 Woluwe-St-Lambert, Belgium.
Opening hours
The opening hours of Cat Rescue are as follows:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 05:30 pm to 08:00 pm
- Saturdays: 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm
- Closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Final thoughts
Cat Rescue’s Halloween open doors event was a big hit.
Witnessing the love and dedication of the shelter’s staff and volunteers towards these precious feline souls is such a joy to watch. And it feels good to know that these cats’ journeys to finding their forever homes has been set in motion, and that it’s just a matter of time before they will all have a loving family.
Please consider donating or helping the shelter in any other way, and share this article with your cat-loving friends and on social media to help spread awareness about Cat Rescue’s mission.
But don’t leave just yet. Get some presents for your cats and fellow cat lovers first.
English version / version française
Pin this!
