Artemis: The heart behind Artemis House
Artemis, the heart behind Artemis House
How we started
Artemis House began with one simple choice: not to look away.
It started with one cat, then another.
At the time, I was simply helping where I could: taking in sick or injured cats, fostering, trying to give them a chance when there were few options left.
As word spread, people began reaching out. Neighbors brought kittens rescued from Miami storms, injured strays, and cats that local shelters had turned away—cats who needed time, care, and a place to recover.
What began as something small gradually became something larger than I had planned.
That path eventually led to a move, and the creation of a dedicated sanctuary in the woods of North Central Florida.
In 2026, Artemis House was formally established as a nonprofit rescue and sanctuary.
Karine Megerdoomian
Founder, Artemis House
Our Mission
Artemis House rescues, rehabilitates, and provides lifelong sanctuary care for abandoned, vulnerable, and hard-to-place cats. Through humane education, TNVR, adoption, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, we work to reduce feline suffering and overpopulation while promoting compassion, ecological stewardship, and social responsibility.
Who We Are
Artemis House is a rescue and sanctuary for cats in need.
Established in 2026, Artemis House provides care, rehabilitation, and lifelong refuge for vulnerable cats ... especially those who would otherwise be overlooked because of illness, age, or circumstance.
Some come to us sick or injured. Some are healthy but without a home. Some will stay with us for life.
All are given time, care, and dignity.
Artemis House Rescue and Sanctuary is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
We may be small, but every cat here is known by name.
"Rescue groups are vital in the world of animal welfare and are collectively responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of animals every year. Some shelter animals, such as neonatal kittens or those with medical or behavioral challenges, may be difficult for shelters to place into homes. They are incredible, lifesaving organizations."
- The Humane Society of the United States
The People Behind Artemis House
Artemis House is sustained by people who care deeply about animals and who have become part of one another’s lives through that work. Some of us met through rescues, transport runs, vet visits, emergencies, or simply because a cat needed help and someone showed up.
Much of this work happens quietly and behind the scenes—feeding, trapping, building, driving hours to transport cats, sitting with frightened animals, caring for the sick, and helping one another through the difficult parts. Over time, that shared commitment has grown into a small community around the sanctuary.
Our Vision
Artemis House is more than a rescue.
Our vision is to create a community rooted in shared values: the ethical treatment of animals, sustainability, humane education, social justice, responsible stewardship of the land, and thoughtful use of technology.
The sanctuary is one expression of that vision. A place where animals are treated as individuals, where care is designed around safety and quality of life, and a place where people can come together to learn, contribute, and rethink our relationship with animals and the natural world.
Innovation in Service of Care
At Artemis House, we see innovation as a way to make care more consistent, responsive, and humane. We are exploring thoughtful uses of AI, health-monitoring tools, and simple digital systems to support medical records, medication tracking, rescue intake, volunteer coordination, donor communication, and other day-to-day sanctuary operations.
The goal is not to replace human care, but to reduce administrative burden, notice changes sooner, and give our caregivers more time and attention for what matters most: the animals.
Imagining What Comes Next
As Artemis House grows, we hope to create dedicated spaces for medical care, adoption and visitor meetings, senior and vulnerable cats, education, community gatherings, and the people who help care for them.
These renderings are early concepts, not final architectural plans, but they show the kind of sanctuary we are working toward: functional, peaceful spaces integrated with the land and designed around the needs of the cats.
Who is Artemis?
Artemis is my Staffordshire Terrier mix, and the heart behind Artemis House.
From the beginning, she has been my quiet helper: finding sick and lost kittens, standing guard when something felt wrong, and watching over the cats as if they were her own.
She worries when one is unwell.
Steps in when there is trouble.
Knows every cat who belongs here, and who doesn’t.
She grew up beside them. Sleeps among them. Protects them without being asked.
Artemis House is named for her.
