Cat Utopia

02/21/2025

This is how it's done!

Why didn't I end up with a colony in my backyard?

It's interesting, I've lived in my little cabin for 40 years. It's a very rural area, a previous recreational development,and over those 40 years I've seen cats show up in my backyard. As soon as they showed up I would get out my trap, catch that little cat and get him neutered (99% of the time it was a boy). I released them, but they rarely stayed around – they had been boys roaming around looking for the girls I'm sure. A few did stay, and I worked on socializing them outside. And once they got to the point of liking to be touched and picked up, I worked on finding them homes. But I never ended up with a colony.

I thought about this today because I'm getting ready to help a nearby neighbor TNR the 30 cats and kittens in her area. She lives about a quarter mile away from me but within the same development. 30 cats and kittens.

Last year I helped a neighbor who found a litter of 4 kittens in his garage. I retrieved the litter, trapped the mama – and using my cameras found the daddy and the sister and… A total of 7 adult cats and 4 older kittens. I TNR'd the whole colony, put all the kittens into foster, and was able to get the people to take on feeding and providing shelter for this very sweet colony. They live a half a mile away in the other direction. 15 cats and kittens.

Two years ago I helped a man in our development TNR 20 cats and kittens. The kittens were all fostered and went to homes, several of the adults were actually fairly friendly and they ended up getting homes. Only a few needed to be returned to his site. They live on yet another road in this development, a quarter mile away from me. 20 cats and kittens.

So why did these neighbors end up with all these cats, and why didn't I? One simple reason. I didn't wait. I didn't wait to see if the cat would stay around. I didn't wait to see if it was a boy or a girl. I didn't wait thinking "this isn't my cat, it's not my responsibility" – and I didn't think "this isn't my cat, I can't get it fixed". Plain and simple, I didn't wait. I saw a stray cat on my property, I arranged an appointment to get it neutered and I trapped that cat. Quick and easy and definitely less stress than ending up with 30 cats!

So that's the lesson for today – don't wait! Because if we all take care of the cats in our own backyard, if we all make a plan and take action as soon as we see the cats in our own backyard, pretty soon there will not be a problem.

02/11/2025

Congratulations to PAWS! It is so exciting to have a local organization get such an amazing award from Petco Love. The best part is that Gus found HIS family at Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) / Pioneer Humane Society.

PENDLETON — Two pet adopters shared a story that earned the Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter a sizable grant from Petco Love as part of its annual Love Stories campaign.

02/05/2025

🚨 Help Us Prevent a Summer Full of Homeless Kittens! 🚨 🐱💜

Right now, female stray and feral cats are in heat, and kitten season is just around the corner! Winter is the most critical time to spay them before they have their first litters—helping stop the cycle of homelessness before it starts.

Last month alone, thanks to donations and volunteer efforts, we were able to spay 53 female stray & feral cats. That means we’ve prevented hundreds—if not thousands—of kittens from being born on the streets this year! (Just one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce over 11,000 kittens in five years! 😲)

🐾 Here’s the urgent issue:
We are out of grant funds for spay/neuter surgeries, and we need to raise $3,000–$5,000 to continue this life-saving work. The clinics generously discount these procedures, but they are not free, and our grant money does not cover these costs.

💜 How You Can Help:
✅ Donate any amount—every dollar counts!
✅ Share this post to spread the word.
✅ Volunteer to help trap and transport cats.

We ALL want to see fewer homeless cats in our communities. This is your chance to make a real difference! Donate today and help stop the cycle.

🔗 Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/3380835

Send a message to learn more

02/02/2025

Currently at the Clackamas Petco!
Ryder is showing off his kitten antics in the adoption area in hopes of finding his forever home. If you're looking for a feline friend for your resident cat, take a look at Ryder!

Ryder is an adoptable Cat - Domestic Short Hair searching for a forever family near Clackamas, OR. Use Petfinder to find adoptable pets in your area.

12/31/2024

🎉 Big Thanks to Petco Love! 🎉

We are incredibly grateful to Petco Love for their generous $14,000 grant awarded to Cat Utopia this year! 🐾💕 This amazing contribution has been instrumental in helping us rescue and care for over 800 cats and kittens.

Your support allows us to provide food, shelter, medical care, and so much love to our feline friends as they find their forever homes. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being a partner in creating a better future for animals in need.

Together, we make a difference! 🐾

12/03/2024

🌟 Today is ! 🌟

At Cat Utopia, we’re on a mission to provide second chances for cats and kittens in eastern Oregon. 🐾 As an ALL-volunteer program, every single dollar donated goes directly to rescuing and caring for these precious lives. Thanks to generous donors like you, countless cats and kittens get the opportunity to find loving homes and a better future.

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you—and your amazing friends and family—to include Cat Utopia in your giving plans. 💖 Together, we can change lives one paw at a time! 🐱💕

Thank you for supporting these less fortunate kitties who rely on your kindness. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with love and cuddles with your own furry friends! 🎄🐾

👉 Donate today and make a difference!
✨ Share this post to spread the love!

11/26/2024

Adopt Sweet Pea 🩷
Sweet Pea arrived in rescue with 2 kittens in tow. She is still a young girl herself and apparently knew she needed help finding a home for her babies and herself! Sweet Pea has mild/moderate cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), also known as wobbly cat syndrome. She has no idea she is different from any other cat and is perfectly happy to just be herself. CH is not a progressive disorder.
If you are looking for love and a purrfect companion that is both entertaining and cuddly fill out an application and we will contact you! https://forms.gle/Bk3vbv3UntVFS54AA
Sweet Pea has been vaccinated and spayed.
https://www.petfinder.com/cat/sweet-pea-74109926/or/portland/cat-utopia-or435/

11/14/2024

Foster Homes Needed for Special Cats! 🏡💖

Are you looking to make a difference in a cat's life? We’re in search of foster homes, in the SE Portland area, for some of our wonderful cats who need a calm, nurturing environment to help them shine! 🌟

These are cats who could be amazing pets but are feeling overwhelmed in our bustling foster homes. We need fosters willing to spend quality time with one or two cats to help us assess their unique personalities for adoption. It’s the perfect opportunity if you're considering adding a cat to your life—or simply want to make a difference in a cat’s journey to finding the right forever home!

Here’s what we’re looking for:

A home without resident cats (or possibly a very mellow cat or dog).
Someone who is home often and can give them lots of love and attention.
A commitment of at least 8 weeks to let them adjust and feel safe.
By fostering, you’re giving these cats a chance to feel safe, build confidence, and shine as individuals. And who knows—you might just find your new best friend! 🐾💖

If you’re interested, please reach out to us directly, and let’s talk more about how you can help a cat in need. Thank you for making a difference!

11/09/2024

Tweed, Halo, Hobbes, and Puffin are currently in the adoption area at Clackamas Petco! Stop in and give them some love!

10/24/2024

These adorable, sweet kitties are at the Clackamas Petco! They have been patiently waiting for their families to find them!

09/23/2024

Are you a social-savvy adopter from Cat Utopia
ready to share your Love Story?! Share your Petco Love Story now and you could help us earn up to $100,000!
Our friends at are now accepting submissions
with social media video posts that highlight how the
unique love of adopted pets change our lives for the
better. Create a social video + share your Petco Love Story
today at petcolove.org/lovestories

09/11/2024

08/03/2024

Union County is urgently seeking foster caregivers to provide a safe haven for the overwhelming number of kittens in desperate need of care. Your empathy and willingness to open your home to these vulnerable animals can truly make a difference in their lives. As a foster-based organization, we provide all the necessary supplies and veterinary care, allowing you to focus on offering love and comfort to these cats. Regardless of special skills or facilities, all it takes is your compassion to help these precious creatures in their time of need. If you have a spare bathroom, extra room, or cozy corner in your home, please consider becoming a foster caregiver and offering a temporary sanctuary to these little ones. Your kindness and support are invaluable in providing these animals with a chance at a better life. Thank you for your consideration and for being a beacon of light to these kittens in need.
Here are some of the current kittens we are needing help with.
If your interested in fostering please call 📞 (541)410-6094

07/26/2024

Update: Prairie has been adopted 🐾
Peony is still available and patiently waiting for a forever home of her own ❤️

Peony & Prairie 🐾
the purrfect pair of kittens seeking a loving home! Peony, the fierce and independent tortoiseshell beauty, is paired with Prairie, the ultimate cuddle bug and mama's boy. These siblings have been inseparable since birth. They have been bottle-fed since the tender age of 10 days old and are eager to find their forever family. Peony & Prairie's complementary personalities will bring joy and love into your home. Whether you're looking for a playful companion or a snuggle buddy, this dynamic duo has got you covered.
Give Peony & Prairie a chance to fill your life with endless entertainment and unconditional affection. Adopt these adorable siblings and let the love story begin! 🐾💕🏡

Adoption Application 👇🏼

https://forms.gle/bwQnx8DiVjk7KRhcA