Los Angeles is home to an estimated one to three million homeless and feral cats, a population that reflects a deep animal welfare crisis fueled by unchecked reproduction. A single unspayed female cat can produce multiple litters each year. Multiply that by thousands of unsterilized cats across a vast urban landscape, and the result is an unsustainable population explosion marked by overcrowded shelters, public health risks, and immense suffering for the cats themselves.

This crisis is compounded by human factors such as pet abandonment and irresponsible ownership, creating a cycle of unwanted litters that grows harder to break with each passing year. The urgency is clear: without proactive, large-scale intervention, the problem will only escalate.

In late 2024, the Caravita Foundation launched its second major initiative: the Los Angeles Community Cat Program, in partnership with Animals In Need Rescue Network (AIN), a powerhouse rescue group with a dedicated team of volunteers leading trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts across the city. These volunteers work tirelessly to care for cat colonies but urgently need reliable access to spay and neuter services to make a lasting impact.

With the support of our mobile partner, Stray Paws Animal Haven, we are on track to complete 2,000 cat sterilizations in 2025. This program is a vital step toward breaking the cycle of overpopulation and giving these vulnerable, deserving animals a chance at safer, healthier lives.

‍

‍