California Polytechnic State University Foundation

The Cal Poly Cat Program is a 100% volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) charitable, cage-free, no-kill shelter dedicated to the rescue of cats and kittens in San Luis Obispo County, California. We trap, test, vaccinate, alter, and release (TTVAR) feral cats who can live outside at one of our feeding stations. We socialize, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned and abused cats, and those with a high risk of being euthanized. CPCP is a result of a 1992 senior project in response to nearly 400 feral cats roaming California Polytechnic State University’s campus. With the physical, financial, and emotional efforts of community members and students working together, CPCP has rehomed over 2,000 cats, provides a sanctuary for unadoptable cats, and maintains nine feeding stations for 30 feral cats on campus. Our volunteers work tirelessly to give the highest quality of life to our cats, many of whom are older, shy, or have disabilities.

We met tuxedo cat Kiwi in 2014, when a loving couple rescued him from a kill-shelter, cared for him, and brought him to us so that he would not be euthanized. A victim of human cruelty, Kiwi had been shot several times by a BB gun, which left him with no feeling in his tail and no control over his bowels. Today Kiwi still has four BBs in his spine that cannot be removed surgically, and he is one of our dearest shelter residents. The required amputation of his tail has made him much more comfortable, and Kiwi lets volunteers gently clean his derriere several times a day. Judging by the condition in which he was found, we believe that Kiwi strayed from home and fell into evil hands. Perhaps if he had been microchipped, his family could have saved him from harm.

That is why we are raising money; we want to microchip all of our present and future cats, and be able to scan found cats for a chip. $1,000 would allow us to purchase two boxes of microchips and a universal reader, items that would help ensure that no cat we rescue will ever have to be lost or abandoned and injured the way Kiwi was.

We are proud to be the place that people call when a cat has nowhere else to go. We are a community of retirees, veterans, teachers, engineers, students, and more. When rescue work seems daunting, all it takes is a step inside our shelter to see that we have changed the world for the cats we have rescued. Please support us in continuing to do so. From all our volunteers and cats who will be microchipped, THANK YOU so much for your support!!