Feline Food and Vaccines for South LA (FFAVSLA)

Income Inequality

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

With an estimated 960,000 undersocialized cats roaming the streets of LA, urgent action is needed. Cats can become pregnant at 4 months old, exacerbating the problem. The situation has become unsustainable in underserved areas where TNR is restricted, & public awareness of cat breeding cycles is lacking. Wealthier citizens have access to spaying/neutering services, residents in the neighborhoods we serve are left without viable options, leading to unchecked growth in the cat population. Our mission is to intervene proactively, engaging individuals before they become frustrated with the process. By equipping them with essential items such as cat food, and free vaccines, we empower them to be prepared. Through these outreach efforts, we provide crucial information about Kitty Bungalow's programs, ensuring spay and neuters are readily available to those in need. Addressing the issue at its root can prevent future crises and reduce the burden on the community and the feline population.

We take bold action at crucial junctures, offering dynamic programs to support our neighbors. Through our multi-pronged approach, we make a tangible difference in the community. Our dedicated team facilitates Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts by coordinating surgery slots, providing traps, & ensuring cats receive vital vaccines & medical care before being returned to their colonies. Moreover, we station staff members outside LAAS shelters, intercepting pet surrenders and offering safe alternatives. Many of the individuals we assist with TNR reach out to us because their neighbors have grown frustrated with the presence of neighborhood cats. Often, a single household has taken responsibility for feeding and caring for a colony, while the rest of the block desires their removal. Our work not only eases tensions among neighbors but also tackles the root issue by ensuring the cats are spayed/neutered, effectively halting their breeding cycle. We firmly believe that the growth of the cat population is a human-created problem, as these animals are simply following their biological instincts. Thus, a human-centered solution is essential. At Kitty Bungalow, we proudly position ourselves as a "cat nonprofit for humans," lightening the burden of TNR for the community. By fostering a sense of compassion and understanding, we strive to create an environment where both humans and felines can thrive.

We often describe our efforts as "trying to empty the Pacific Ocean with a teaspoon". As a small rescue organization, we are chipping away at a huge problem with limited resources and all the other TNR and cat rescue organizations in Los Angeles. However, with an award of $75,000, we could provide over 42,900 individual cat meals and 600 full vaccines and microchips. Those households would receive information on TNR, low-cost veterinary resources, and the contact information of Kitty Bungalow for later cat rescue intervention. For every female cat we can TNR, we stop 180 kittens from being born. In the past year alone, that equates to approximately 221,400 cats, exponentially. Our intervention humanely reduces colonies over one or two generations, a massive public benefit considering the damage cats can do to buildings and bird populations. Our food and vaccine distribution is the first of many steps towards a great relationship with our neighbors.

We will utilize zip codes as a practical and anonymous method of tracking to analyze the geographic distribution of our assistance and identify areas of high need while maintaining anonymity. By leveraging this data, we gain insights into who is accessing our services, which areas are benefiting the most, and how effectively we are reaching our target audience. In addition to the quantitative data collected through our tracking system, we will actively seek qualitative feedback from our beneficiaries through surveys. This firsthand feedback will help us evaluate the effectiveness of our programs, identify areas for improvement, and adapt our approach to better meet the needs of our community. This evidence-based approach ensures that our efforts are not only well-informed but also continuously evolving to address the identified problem with the utmost effectiveness.

Kitty Bungalow will handle food distribution and CAMP LA will manage vaccine events. Food events will increase in frequency to promote vaccinations and microchipping, and we may schedule appointments concurrently. A contracted veterinarian through CAMP LA will administer all vaccinations and microchipping.