Millions of dollars were given to four feline charities here in North Carolina from a compassionate cat-lover.

Emil Campbell from Raleigh left nearly 1.7 million dollars to four different cat charities in North Carolina.

Campbell suddenly died last month. His lawyers say there were instructions to bequeath his estate to cats. The four charities that will split the money are the Snowflake Animal Rescue, Safe Haven For Cats, Second Chance Pet Adoptions and Marley's Cat Tales out of Greenville. It was an emotional afternoon for Joy Eubanks, the founder of Marley's Cat Tales.

She says it was a shock to receive the phone call.

The lawyer says his client didn't work at a high paying job but was very frugal and saved money. He says Campbell had one surviving daughter.