ODESSA, Texas — A true plea for help is coming out of Odessa.
"I did my best but it was never enough," said Vickie Lee, president and founder of PAWS Cat Rescue Haven House.
Lee is a 70-year-old Odessan who spent the better part of 20 years caring for cats.
"People would drop cats off even before I had the rescue, and I would try to help them," she said. "I prayed about it, and I ended up with a shelter. Then I built two more and here we are."
However, a recent health issue is changing everything for her.
"My liver was bleeding and they did a biopsy and found out I had cancer," Lee said. "It's just been a battle since then. I survived the cancer, I healed good and everything and he said he got it all, but, like I say, I've got a sick liver."
Due to Lee's illness, she no longer has the strength to run day to day operations at the shelter. That, unfortunately, was never an easy task to begin with.
PAWS Cat Rescue is a "no-kill-" shelter with domesticated non-adoptable cats. Non-adoptable cats are acclimated to an environment, but they are still feral.
"We've got cats you can go and you can pet them and they'll rub up against you," Lee said. "You'd think, 'yay,' you pick them up and they rip your face off. Those are non-adoptable."
With Lee not being able to continue the work she loves, she has no choice but to look to her community for help.
"I cannot concentrate on my health and getting well when I have 40 cats that need to be placed," she said. "I have spent over 20 years of my life taking care of cats and it's time for me now."
The root of her worry is the lack of shelters in the area that accept non-adoptable animals. For now, these 40 cats have no where else to go.
"There needs to be more shelters that will accept these cats and and work with them," Lee said. "I have tamed a whole lot of cats and they've gone into really good homes. We can't have enough shelters."
After 20 years in the business, Lee will always be passionate for her PAWS rescue and the felines who brought purpose into her life.
"I'd do it again," Lee said. "I really would. I have no regrets."
If anyone is aware of a shelter that has the time and resources to care for any one of these 40 domesticated non-adoptable cats, click here to contact Vickie Lee and PAWS rescue.