 The Goathouse Refuge in Pittsboro , North Carolina , is a nonprofit no @-@ kill animal sanctuary for cats that is run on a volunteer @-@ basis . The refuge is cage @-@ free so the cats can freely roam around within the boundaries of the property . Founded in 2007 by Italian @-@ born artist <unk> Scarpa , the refuge can hold up to 300 cats on a 16 @-@ acre farm . There is an art gallery located on the first floor of the house where Scarpa sells her handmade art such as pottery , sculptures , and cookware to help support the refuge . 
