Harold Sims

I am a 79-year old former biology professor and I now operate the first no-kill cat shelter in Jackson County, North Carolina.

When I retired to Jackson County, I found the only animal shelters were “we kill” shelters that killed most of the cats in their care. They had little interest is trying to place cats because most people were turning in cats used as barn cats.

Being a cat lover I had to do something. In the past 20 years I have rescued and found homes for more than 3500 cats. I found there was a desire for pet cats, in and around Jackson County, and I have found homes for them. I also planted a seed in the minds of others and because of my lead, many other no-kill shelters have been built.

I have made the world a better place for cats and the people who love them.

Nobody should retire and then sit around and do nothing. The older generation has the wisdom, the will, and a work ethic. My father told me, long ago, that people were put on earth to make it a better place than they found it. I have lived by his word.

People should not think of retirement as the end of life, but as a chance for a new beginning. A time to do their part to make the world a better place doing what they know and enjoy.