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Hi there! My name is Azra Joy (they/she), and I’m the primary caretaker for a colony of 25+ feral and stray cats in Bakersfield, CA.
How It Began
My family moved into a rental home around 2012, in a neighborhood overrun with feral cats. We began feeding them, and doing what we could, but without the resources to spay and neuter them in large numbers, the population continued to grow with every new litter.
Over time, my siblings moved out, and I left to finish college. After graduating, I returned to help my mom and brother recover from the financial instability brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that they’re still dealing with today. Since then, I’ve become the primary caretaker and sole financial provider for the colony.
Doing the Work and Hitting a Wall
Using TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) methods and the support of Critters Without Litters' Community Cat Program, we worked hard to control the colony’s growth, but it’s difficult to achieve a fully fixed population when new feral cats from the neighborhood come and go.
Eventually, our landlord began pressuring us to "do something" about the cats. I reached out to Kern County Animal Services, local rescues, and various Facebook groups for help, but no one had the resources to assist.
A Long-Term Solution
Realizing we had no other viable option, I made the decision to create a long-term solution: buying a home where I could safely house the colony. I began working with NACA, a nonprofit that helps first-generation homebuyers purchase homes with no down payment, no closing costs, and no mortgage insurance. After two years of hard work and persistence, I’m proud to share that I closed on a small home in Oildale in January 2025!
Now, I’m fundraising to build an outdoor enclosure that can comfortably and safely house all 25+ cats. This space will include:
- Full fencing and roofing to prevent injuries, illness, and predator attacks
- A cat jungle gym for enrichment
- Climate-controlled sleeping quarters to protect against extreme heat and cold
Why I Need Your Help
While I continue to spend over $200/month on food, litter, and supplies, I’m saving toward building this enclosure, but I can’t do it alone. With your support, I can give these cats the safety, comfort, and care they deserve. This is not a nonprofit or rescue, just a mutual aid project, rooted in compassion and community care. Anything helps, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this campaign.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read, and supporting the Meowborhood.
– AZRA J☻Y
Organizer
