Thinking of adopting a cat or volunteering in a cat shelter? If you’re from Orange County California, then this guide is for you.
Cats are affectionate, intelligent, and entertaining creatures that have a lot of love to give. It’s no wonder they’re America’s second most popular pet with 46.5 million US households owning one.
Adopting or volunteering not only gives you the opportunity to uplift a neglected kitten’s life, but it’s also the purrr-fect way to get close to cuddly, furry felines while enjoying their company.
Allow us to help you find a nearby cat rescue shelter. In this article, we’ll take a look at their adoption process and identify volunteer opportunities.
Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that Orange County’s official animal shelter is the OC Animal Care facility in Tustin. They protect, reunite and adopt lost, abandoned, and unwanted pets. They have a physical adoption center where you can meet and interact with cats. Meanwhile, their website features cats that are up for adoption. You can start the process by filling out an application form and paying an adoption fee.
Aside from OC Animal Care, here are a couple of shelters you may want to explore.
1. A Pawsitive Approach
A Pawsitive Approach is comprised of animal-loving volunteers who believe that cats and dogs deserve a safe space in this world. Their adoption process includes:
- A formal application
- Telephone interview with an APA (Animal Protection Association) representative
- Checking veterinary references
- A home visit by an APA representative and the animal you’re interested in adopting
- An adoption donation to cover their expenses and support the facility
They are committed to finding a permanent home for the homeless animals they rescue. They also promote responsible cat ownership through spaying or neutering.
Donate and Volunteer
Aside from adopting, you may also donate or get involved as a volunteer for APA or as a foster parent in the shelter. APA is a federal nonprofit 501(c)3 which means that your donations are all tax deductible.
You can visit their online site to see the cats that are available for adoption in Southern California.
2. Cats In Need
Similar to A Pawsitive Approach, Cats in Need is an organization of volunteers who advocate for cat welfare and responsible pet ownership. They rescue and find homes for stray and abandoned cats, and provide them with medical care, neutering/spaying, nutrition, and socialization until they find a good match for them.
They operate through donations that cover the basics of cat care such as food and medical care (shots and spay/neuter) until they get adopted.
Cats In Need has various locations. Their list of branches includes Chino, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Rancho Cucamonga, Whittier PetSmart, and Yorba Linda.
Interested fur parents must be within four hours of driving distance from Orange County. They should also have reliable transportation. You can apply for adoption online and they will reach out to you for an assessment.
Filling out their application form doesn’t guarantee approval but each application is considered based on the individual’s compatibility with the cat.
Donate and Volunteer
As a non-profit organization, your donations are tax-deductible. You can send your donations by mail (Cats In Need General Fund P.O. Box 2204 Orange, CA 92859), online, and via donation boxes that are situated in each location.
Cats In Need also accepts cat food, toys, cat beds, pet carriers, wire crates, combs, shampoos, brushes, and office supplies like printer paper.
You can volunteer for weekend adoption fairs, play and clean up after the kitties, or help transport kitties to their new homes. They also welcome teenage volunteers who need to render community service hours.
3. MeoowzResQ
MeoowzResQ focuses on rescuing and providing shelter to cats in imminent danger like abuse, injury, and high-risk environments. Many of their cats were saved from fires; discovered on airplanes, large cargo trucks, streets, and alleys; and cats that the local animal control shelter can no longer sufficiently care for.
They provide medical, nutrition, and socialization for their feline residents. They also make sure that the kittens and cats for adoption have been spayed or neutered, de-wormed, deflead, and have updated vaccinations.
To adopt a cat, send an email to [email protected] or attend one of their adoption events on Saturdays and Sundays.
Donate and Volunteer
You can also support MeoowzResQ as a foster, sponsor, or volunteer.
Volunteers can donate three to four hours of their time to weekend adoption events. They can also assist with the daily care of felines which includes feeding them, cleaning up after them, and making sure the cat condos are clean and safe.
Other ways to volunteer include transporting cats to adoption events and to their new homes as well as writing grants. You may give tax-deductible donations via Paypal, by shopping and supporting their partner merchants, or by donating transportation vehicles to help them find and rescue cats that are in danger.
4. Second Chance Pet Adoptions
Second Chance Pet Adoptions is a non-profit organization founded in 2001. Its mission is to find permanent loving homes for cats in their care and to reduce overpopulation through its trap-neuter-return program. It currently operates from two locations: Huntington Beach and Murrieta.
Aside from caring for abandoned cats and giving them forever homes, the group is also committed to educating the public about responsible pet ownership, existing animal cruelty and abandonment laws, and the importance of spaying and neutering their pets.
Their adoption process includes pre-screening individual applicants and evaluation via home visits. Once the application is approved, you will meet with a representative to discuss your cat’s profile (e.g., medical history). Applicants may also visit their facilities in Tustin or Huntington Beach for a chance to adopt from them directly and save a cat from euthanasia.
The center also requires a tax-deductible adoption fee of $150 for kittens and $99 for cats to cover costs like spaying/neutering, feline leukemia (FeLV) and FIV tests, ID microchip, vaccines, deworming, flea medication, and cat ID tag.
Once your adoption application is completed, you may email them at [email protected].
Donate and Volunteer
You may donate, become a monthly sponsor, or work as a volunteer. They accept volunteers who can support their cat and kitten care needs and trap-neuter-return activities. Volunteers can also provide foster homes, organize and oversee fundraising events, and help with socialization and exercise activities for cats.
Be a Cat Champion Today
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that there are around 3.2 million cats entering animal shelters each year. By sharing your home, time, energy, money, and other resources, you can help a cat in crisis and give it a forever home. And if you do decide to adopt, make sure to choose one of the best vets for cats in Orange County- learn more.
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The Comforted Kitty goes above and beyond by offering additional services like watering plants and taking care of tasks such as retrieving mail and garbage bins. With The Comforted Kitty, you can enjoy your time away knowing that your cat is receiving personalized attention and care in the familiar surroundings they know and love. Trust The Comforted Kitty to be your top choice for in-home cat sitting in Orange County, providing you with peace of mind and ensuring your cat’s happiness while you’re away. Find out for yourself how to choose the right cat sitter with our informative guide.