Correctional facility moves cat sanctuary to larger quarters

PENDLETON, Ind. (AP) - Andrew Conley, 23, loved the cat and English bulldogs he grew up with in Rising Sun.

That was before his life took a hard turn. On Oct. 15, 2010, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his 10-year-old brother nearly a year earlier, making it unlikely he'd ever again snuggle up to a feline.

"I definitely missed all my cats," he said.

In March 2015, the Pendleton Correctional Facility teamed up with the Animal Protection League to provide a cat sanctuary, and Conley became one of the caretakers for the 20 animals housed there. The area is similar to one established at the Pendleton Industrial Facility in 2006.

"This is definitely the best thing I've ever done in the prison," Conley said. "I treat these guys (cats) better than I treat myself. . It just makes me feel like I'm doing something important again."

On Thursday, the Pendleton Correctional Facility celebrated a move of its cat sanctuary to larger quarters, complete with literal catwalks and platforms throughout the space.

Conley, who sometimes will take a cat with him on visits with his family in the facility, said caring for the cats enables him to relax in a place that for many is very stressful.

"It just feels like back at home when you have your pets," he said. "I definitely don't want to get into trouble now, because I don't want to jeopardize this."

Conley said the cats behave differently now that they have an expanded space.

"Some come out more, play more, are sweet. They can get a little more exercise," he explained.

PCF's sanctuary helps the Animal Protection League, the Anderson-based facility that serves as the city's animal shelter. APL has limited space to house the many cats who are brought to the shelter daily.

"They're stepping up while the (pet) owners are stepping back," said APL Executive Director Maleah Stringer. "It seemed like a good idea. The men are idle. It helps calm them down. It's a win-win."

PCF spokeswoman Michelle O. Rains said she considers the cat sanctuary a personal legacy.

"What Maleah does on the street, we can do in here," she said.

Over the past year, the cat sanctuary has been able to find permanent homes for about 10 felines, mostly with PCF staff, Rains said.

"This is truly a sanctuary, not only for the cats, but for the people who live here," she said.

Pendleton American Legion Post 608 has supported the cat sanctuary over the past year by paying the costs for spaying and neutering the animals, Rains said.

The post also helped raise funds for the expanded cat sanctuary through the sale of three-pound bags of onions, purchased through ARAMARK, the facility's contracted food service provider, to offenders for $6 each. The onions, considered a rare commodity in prison, are used by offenders for snacks and meals made in their living quarters.

The $2,000 raised was used toward the purchase of supplies to build the platforms and catwalks.

American Legion Post 608 Commander Deon Baxter said the cat sanctuary is instrumental in the rehabilitation of some offenders.

"When people come and pet these cats, it brings a great calm. . You actually see a change in a person when they can hold a cat and pet it," he said.

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Source: The (Anderson) Herald-Bulletin, http://bit.ly/1UOykME

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Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com