Belikats Is Giving Cats and Kittens a Second Chance at Life
From Family Rescue Efforts to a Growing Cat Sanctuary
Today’s episode of Open Your Eyes highlighted the work of Kathlinn Cabanas, owner and founder of Belikats, a growing cat rescue initiative dedicated to giving abandoned and stray cats and kittens a second chance at life.
The name Belikats combines “Beli,” representing Belize, with “cats,” reflecting the organization’s focus on feline rescue. Cabanas explained that her family has been rescuing cats since 2015, keeping some as pets while finding adoptive homes for others.
However, the scale of the rescue effort changed significantly in early 2025. With around 20 cats in their care, Cabanas realized that keeping so many animals as personal pets was not sustainable. She created the Belikats Facebook page, developed its name and logo, and began posting photos of cats and kittens in need of homes.
The response was immediate. As more people began contacting her about kittens found in bushes, dumpsters and other unsafe locations, the number of cats in her care quickly grew. What started as a family home gradually became a sanctuary, with cats occupying multiple rooms and additional spaces being created to accommodate them.
Today, Kathlinn estimates that she cares for approximately 60 cats.
Addressing Belize’s Stray Animal Problem
Beyond rescue and adoption, Cabanas stressed that Belize’s growing stray animal population requires attention to the root of the problem.
She explained that there are not enough affordable spay and neuter programs available, while some pet owners may not know about available services or may struggle to afford them. As a result, unsterilized cats can continue reproducing and contribute to the growing number of animals living on the streets.
Kathlinn also spoke about the practice of abandoning kittens in boxes, bags, bushes and other locations. Some of the kittens currently in her care were left in a box directly outside her home.
She encouraged Belizeans to consider spaying and neutering their pets and, when possible, helping stray animals access sterilization services. According to Kathlinn, simply abandoning unwanted kittens does not address the underlying problem and can put vulnerable animals at risk.
Meet Belle and Rory
During the conversation, Cabanas introduced two kittens currently available for adoption: Belle and Rory.
The siblings were among five kittens discovered after being abandoned in a box outside Cabana’s home. Three of the kittens have already found homes, while Belle and Rory are still looking for families.
Cabanas explained that adopting kittens in pairs can be beneficial because they can keep each other company as they adjust to their new environment.
With limited space at home, she currently has kittens staying in cages in her kitchen while her other cats occupy different rooms. Another expansion project is also underway to create additional space, but the project requires funding to be completed.
How Belizeans Can Help
Belikats relies on community support to continue rescuing, caring for and finding homes for cats and kittens.
Cabanas encouraged anyone interested in adoption, donations or providing food to reach out. She also emphasized that even when she cannot personally take in another animal, she can often provide advice or connect people with resources.
She highlighted the work of Kylie in Cayo, who operates the Crazy Tails cat sanctuary and organizes low-cost sterilization clinics. Cabanas said she sometimes brings cats from her community in batches to have them sterilized.
The message from the conversation was clear: addressing Belize’s stray animal population requires more than rescue alone. It also requires responsible pet ownership, sterilization, adoption and community involvement.
Those interested in supporting Belikats can contact Kathlinn Cabanas via WhatsApp at 608-4630 for information about adoption, donations, food drop-offs and other ways to assist.
Belikats can also be found on Facebook and Instagram, where updates about cats and kittens needing homes are shared.