Breaking News

Chico Cat Coalition is moving to a new home!

As many of you already know, in November our organization was notified by the property owner on which we have our Barn sanctuary that our lease was not going to be renewed. Dedicated volunteers searched the area frantically to find a new home with no success. Finally, we were able to lease a warehouse on the edge of town. This warehouse is in need of renovation to make it suitable for the felines in our care, but we are determined to make it the best home we can for them. We expect to be moving to the location within the next 30 days.

How can you help?

We could use the following items: double laundry sink, kitchen cabinets and counter top (even salvaged ones could work), a 40 gallon gas water heater, and a gas heating unit. Visit our Wish List page for more ideas about what we always need to care for the cats.

How about adoption? The more cats we can get adopted into loving homes, the fewer cats will have to endure the trauma of a move. If you'd like to add a cat to your household, now is the time! Please see our Adoption page for more info!

Volunteer: we always need new volunteers, and this is going to be even more vital with the new location. Please check our Volunteer page to find out more.

Finally, please consider a monetary donation at this time. Renovations to this facility are costly and we need your help. We receive no other funding except for that from private citizens, and have no paid employees, so every donation goes for the cats! Click here to donate now.

Mission Statement

The Mission of Chico Cat Coalition is to rescue the feral and abandoned domestic cats from lower Bidwell Park. In conjunction with this mission, Chico Cat Coalition provides the rescued cats with veterinary care and altering, and cares for them until they are adopted into permanent homes. The Chico Cat Coalition also seeks to increase public awareness about responsible cat care, the necessity of spaying and neutering, and the consequences of cat abandonment.

What is Chico Cat Coalition and what do we do?

How we began ...

It was just over a decade ago that no one had formally begun to address the problem of cats being abandoned in the lower Bidwell Park area of Chico. Most of these cats had initially been dumped there by people who no longer wanted to care for them. The fact that many of these felines were not spayed or neutered before being left to fend for themselves made the problem significantly worse when the cats began reproducing. Cats who had been on their own for a long time or born in the park and had not had any human contact became feral, so there was no way to simply pick them up and take them out of the park.

No one wanted the cats there. Wildlife enthusiasts became concerned about the danger the cats could pose, especially to birds. Park lovers wanted to be able to come to the park and enjoy it without seeing stray cats everywhere. Citizens were not allowed to feed the cats, which could have led to trapping efforts, so the 'problem' was not being dealt with.

Fortunately, a group of concerned citizens stepped forward to take on the issue and the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission, as well as the City of Chico, accepted the help. So in early 1998, Chico Cat Coalition (or CCC for short) was formed!

And today ...

In the decade that followed, a lot has happened. Over 925 cats have been rescued from the park thus far - imagine how many cats would be there today if it weren't for the CCC!

Today there aren't nearly as many cats in lower Bidwell Park, but they are still there so our efforts must continue. The City now assists with trapping cats in the park, and we are continuing to trap as well.

What happens to park cats after they are trapped?

After a cat is taken out of Bidwell Park, he or she comes to 'the Barn.' For several years now, CCC has rented a small building on a private property in Chico to house the cats. Currently, there are just over 60 cats that live at the Barn.

When a cat arrives here, they are taken to a veterinarian to be checked. While they are in a 'quarantine period' away from other cats, they receive necessary testing, vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered.

Those cats and kittens who are social are then available for adoption. Chico Cat Coalition has adopted out well over 700 of the cats rescued from Bidwell Park - amazing!!

Some cats we rescue, however, are feral and cannot be adopted out because they are so fearful of people. Those cats are able to live out the remainder of their lives at the sanctuary.

Can Chico Cat Coalition take my cat or a stray I've found?

Our rental agreement prevents us from taking in any cat that is not from Bidwell Park. While we wish we were able to help all cats, we cannot do so in our current situation. If you have a problem with stray or feral cats in your area, you may need to contact Chico Animal Control, Butte Humane Society, or find out more information on our Links/Contacts page!

Why should I support Chico Cat Coalition?

Let's face it, if all cats were spayed or neutered and if cats were not dumped at the park, there would be no need for Chico Cat Coalition. Unfortunately, this continues to be a problem not only in Bidwell Park, but across the nation. While the numbers of community cats have decreased at the park, they have not been eliminated and we will continue to try and help them. We also have the responsibility to care for all the cats we have rescued over the years.

This is a huge responsibility, and it takes many dedicated volunteers to make this happen. We have a small but dedicated group, but our small numbers prevent us from doing all we would like to do. Our primary goals include increasing adoptions and outreach efforts. To learn more about volunteering, please click here.

Not only does this work take volunteer time, it also requires that people contribute financially to the organization. Aside from funding we receive from the City of Chico for basic veterinary care (testing, vaccines, and altering) of incoming cats, we have no other regular source of funding. Imagine what you might spend each month caring for your cat, and multiply that by sixty - that's what it takes to care for the cats at the Barn! We realize that donating is becoming more and more difficult as the economy worsens, but if you are able to help by donating supplies or financially, we could really use your help. Please click here for more information about donating to the Chico Cat Coalition.

The Chico Cat Coalition has done a tremendous service for this community and its cats. Over 925 felines have been rescued and over 700 adopted so far! All we ask is for your continued support so that we can keep on doing this valuable work!