Cal Poly Cat Program

Cal Poly Cat Program We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cat rescue and sanctuary operating on Cal Poly SLO's Campus! At that time, nearly 400 cats and kittens roamed campus.
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Cal Poly Cat Program (CPCP) started as a 1992 senior project by Garret Quindimil to solve the problem of a feline population at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s campus. The majority were descendants of pets abandoned on campus by students and other local residents. CPCP modeled their solution on the "Test, Trap, Vaccinate, Medicate, Alter, and Release" (TTVMAR) technique, developed by the National Feral

Cat Resource Center. The program was highly successful and effectively reduced the population through the years. The university campus now has only a handful of feral cats left, all of which have gone through our program, so they are sterile, vaccinated, and healthy. CPCP has now focused our efforts to helping the homeless and feral cat populations of San Luis Obispo county, running trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs and promoting feral cat humane education. CPCP also has a shelter located on Cal Poly’s campus with an ongoing volunteer, foster, and adoption programs in place. Our shelter facility also serves as a cat sanctuary for cats that are not adoptable or cannot be released. All of our cats are lovingly cared for by a network of volunteers and our nonprofit is entirely run on donations and grants.

Meet Molly! Molly is a super chill and sweet girl who loves pets and cuddles! She loves to follow you wherever you go, a...
06/13/2024

Meet Molly! Molly is a super chill and sweet girl who loves pets and cuddles! She loves to follow you wherever you go, and will even come when called! Molly is spayed and fully up to date on all vaccinations and tests, ensuring she’s in perfect health for her new family. Please email [email protected] to proceed with the adoptions process.

🚨‼️ Temporarily care of adorable kittens and cats over summer break! ‼️🚨If you are in SLO anytime between now to mid Sep...
06/12/2024

🚨‼️ Temporarily care of adorable kittens and cats over summer break! ‼️🚨

If you are in SLO anytime between now to mid September, please consider helping us out! As a foster, we will provide you with all necessary supplies and training so that you feel comfortable and well-equipped for the task.

For adult cats, please reach out to [email protected]! If you are interested in providing love and care to kittens, please email [email protected]! Our foster coordinators will be happy to answer any questions you may have! We thank all of our fosters for their contributions to our shelter!

Adoptions update! 15 CPCP cats were adopted in May! The list includes Cedric, Pub Cheese, Aelin, Thumbtack, Blueberry, M...
06/05/2024

Adoptions update! 15 CPCP cats were adopted in May! The list includes Cedric, Pub Cheese, Aelin, Thumbtack, Blueberry, Mars & Toby, Max, Leucine, Cannoli & Tiramisu, Clawdia, Tao, Tara, and Elle! 😸

We are so happy for these kitties and their new furrever families! If you’re interested in adopting from us, please email [email protected]!

We’re nearing the end of the quarter, and that means summer break is almost here! Summer break runs from mid-June to mid...
06/02/2024

We’re nearing the end of the quarter, and that means summer break is almost here! Summer break runs from mid-June to mid-September, and we’ll need extra volunteer help during this time. We’re in need of both regular shelter volunteers and medics! We’ve had a large influx of new intakes recently, some of which require daily medical care. Our general volunteers help with the upkeep of the shelter, including cleaning cages, vacuuming, refilling food and water bowls, doing laundry, etc. Our medics give our cats their necessary medications, nutritional supplements, and special prescription foods.

If you’re in SLO for any amount of time and can help us out, please consider signing up! If you can only commit to a certain time frame, let us know! If you’re a current volunteer, you can sign up on the summer break schedule that was sent in GroupMe. And if you haven’t volunteered yet but are interested in doing so, please contact our volunteer coordinators at [email protected] to fill out the application and attend an orientation.

Thank you all so much for constantly supporting our program! We couldn’t do all that we do without your help!💗

Our Fruit Litter kittens are up for adoption! This bunch features Apricot, Lychee, Mango, Melon, Pomegranate, and Tanger...
06/01/2024

Our Fruit Litter kittens are up for adoption! This bunch features Apricot, Lychee, Mango, Melon, Pomegranate, and Tangerine!🥭🍈🍑 They are all as sweet as their names and are proving to be very curious, rambunctious, and cuddly little companions. They will be all up-to-date on their vaccinations by the time they go to their furrever homes. **For optimal socialization and development, these kitties must be adopted in pairs, or the interested adopter must already have a young cat in their household.

Reach out to our adoptions coordinators at [email protected] to inquire about taking the Fruit Litter home!💗

Slide 1: Apricot
Slide 2: Pomegranate
Slide 3: Tangerine
Slide 4: Melon & Tangerine
Slide 5: Mango
Slide 6: Lychee

Our friend Jamie,  , is the proud owner of The Caffeinated Cat Cafe, which is set to become the first cat cafe on the Ce...
05/30/2024

Our friend Jamie, , is the proud owner of The Caffeinated Cat Cafe, which is set to become the first cat cafe on the Central Coast, opening soon near SLO! We’re incredibly excited about this venture. Jamie has been an extraordinary foster for both adult cats and kittens over the past year, and we are eager to see her cafe dream come true! Her Kickstarter campaign ends TODAY! Visit her Instagram to help make it a reality!

Meet Winnie! This adorable 10-month-old female cat is eagerly awaiting her forever home. Spayed and up to date on all va...
05/29/2024

Meet Winnie! This adorable 10-month-old female cat is eagerly awaiting her forever home. Spayed and up to date on all vaccinations and tests, Winnie is healthy and ready for a new adventure.

Winnie is a sweet and playful girl who loves to explore her surroundings. While she’s still a bit unsure about being petted, she warms up with time and patience. Once she feels comfortable, Winnie will reward you with the loudest, happiest purrs. She also enjoys cuddling in bed, making her the perfect companion for cozy nights. Winnie gets along well with other cats and would be a delightful addition to any home.

If you’re interested in adopting Winnie, please email [email protected] to start the adoption process. Bring this lovely girl home and fill your life with purrs and cuddles!

Plankton has been in our program for over a year and unfortunately not had much interest. This is surprising as Plankton...
05/28/2024

Plankton has been in our program for over a year and unfortunately not had much interest. This is surprising as Plankton is a super cuddly and social boy who loves attention from his foster parent and human friends. He loves to be involved and snuggle on his foster parent’s lap whenever possible - including meals times, homework sessions, and movie nights! Despite being a cuddle bug, he is independent and does not mind being alone for long periods of time. During his alone time, he likes to indulge in his hobbies: bird watching, bug catching, and biscuit making! While Plankton is social with humans, he is not the biggest fan of his other feline friends and will do better as a single cat. Please email [email protected] to take this sweet boy home!

Meet Gatsby, a charming 3.5-year-old male cat with a laid-back attitude and a heart full of love. He is up for adoption!...
05/27/2024

Meet Gatsby, a charming 3.5-year-old male cat with a laid-back attitude and a heart full of love. He is up for adoption! Gatsby is neutered and fully up to date on all vaccinations and tests, ensuring he’s in perfect health. This mellow fellow adores nothing more than lounging around and enjoying the simple pleasures in life. His absolute favorite is getting chin scratches, and you’ll often find him with his chin held high, eagerly awaiting your affectionate touch. If you’re in search of a calm and loving companion, Gatsby is the perfect friend for you. Please email [email protected] to adopt Gatsby today and add that touch of tranquility to your life!

This Saturday June 1st is California Adopt-a-Pet Day! We will be celebrating by opening our shelter for visitors to meet...
05/26/2024

This Saturday June 1st is California Adopt-a-Pet Day! We will be celebrating by opening our shelter for visitors to meet some of our adoptable cats and enjoy 50% off adoption prices! We will also be selling our merch!

Our Adoption Coordinators will be present from 10am to 1pm to aid in the adoptions process. This event is also ticketed to maintain organization and ensure everyone has a pleasant experience. We kindly ask that only visitors highly considering adopting a cat attend this event. Please visit our website’s “Event” tab to register for a spot.

Our discounted adoptions prices are one cat for $50 and two cats for $75, cash or check only. All of our cats have received rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, have been microchipped, spayed or neutered, treated for parasites, dewormed, and screened for FIV and FeLV.

All of our adoptable cats can be viewed on our website under the “Adopt” tab. Please also agree to our adoptions policies noted on the same page.

We are super excited to find some homes for our cats, especially those who have been in our shelter for a long time! We hope to see you there this Saturday! Leave any questions you may have in the commend or DM us!

Meet Tori, the beloved mom of our Heartstopper Litter! Tori is a super sweet and curious young kitty that just wants to ...
05/23/2024

Meet Tori, the beloved mom of our Heartstopper Litter! Tori is a super sweet and curious young kitty that just wants to cuddle with you all day. Whenever you need a pick-me-up, Tori will always be there for you! She’s a comforting presence while you do homework or chores around the house. She loves other cats and does really well with her foster sibling. ❤️

Interested in adopting Tori? Email our adoptions coordinators at [email protected]!

🚨‼️ URGENT ‼️🚨If you are in SLO during ANY part of summer break, please consider temporarily caring for a cat or some ki...
05/23/2024

🚨‼️ URGENT ‼️🚨

If you are in SLO during ANY part of summer break, please consider temporarily caring for a cat or some kittens! As many of our fosters will be traveling, a large number of kitties will have to return to the shelter if we do not have fosters. If you are in the area anytime between mid June to mid September, please consider helping us out! As a foster, we will provide you with all necessary supplies and training so that you feel comfortable and well-equipped for the task.

For adult cats, please reach out to [email protected]! If you are interested in providing love and care to a kitten or two, please email [email protected]! Our foster coordinators will be happy to answer any questions you may have! We thank all of our fosters for their contributions to our shelter!

Fostering saves lives! Read below!CPCP is looking for temporary medical fosters who can open up their homes to new intak...
05/19/2024

Fostering saves lives! Read below!

CPCP is looking for temporary medical fosters who can open up their homes to new intakes! Despite our following strict protocols, the spread of sickness is inevitable in a shelter environment. To reduce this spread, we are looking for temporary foster homes to care for new intakes while they recover from a URI. If you do not feel comfortable caring for a sick cat, we also have healthy cats you can care for! This helps us prevent the spread of sickness between cats, thereby reducing veterinary costs, and allows us to save more cats since we won’t spend as much time returning cats back to health.

What is a URI? A URI is an upper respiratory infection, manifesting itself as sneezing, eye/nose discharge, lack of appetite etc. A URI in a cat is just like a typical human cold; it’s a common virus that spreads easily between cats. Treatment for URIs can be as simple as wiping the discharge from the nose and eyes a few times daily to providing an immune-boosting supplement like Viralys or Imuquin in their wet food. Another highly effective treatment is “shower steaming,” in which you can turn the shower on hot and let it steam with the cat in the bathroom for 5-10 minutes. In more extreme cases, a cat may require an oral medication for a URI, and we would be happy to provide assistance on how to medicate a cat.

While we do our best to create a safe and quiet environment for our kitties, the shelter can often be a stressful place. Having a comfortable place to rest and receive one-on-one attention allows a cat to recover more quickly than in the shelter. If you’re interested in being a medical foster or even a temporary or long-term foster and have questions, please reach out to [email protected] with your inquiries!😸

This little adoptable lovebug is Clawdia! Clawdia is a talker and will tell you exactly what she wants at all times- lov...
05/16/2024

This little adoptable lovebug is Clawdia! Clawdia is a talker and will tell you exactly what she wants at all times- love! She is a total lap cat and will sit and snuggle with you for hours. She’ll also greet you when you come home!

Clawdia is the mom of our Olympian litter, and she is positive for FeLV, although so far she doesn’t have any symptoms. She’ll just need extra love and care, as well as high quality food in a strictly indoor home.

Clawdia can be adopted with another FeLV + kitty and would prefer no dogs. Her foster mom says she’s the purrfect companion! If you’d like to take Clawdia home or want to learn more about her condition, please contact [email protected]!💗

Meet Ampersand, a once-shy cat now revealing her unique personality. While she may prefer moments of solitude, Ampersand...
05/14/2024

Meet Ampersand, a once-shy cat now revealing her unique personality. While she may prefer moments of solitude, Ampersand is easily coaxed with treats and appreciates gentle brushing and petting. Occasionally her old-self might come out with a hiss if approached too quickly. Ampersand needs a home with patient companions, who understand her independent nature. As she warms up, she’ll express gratitude by kneading biscuits—a gesture that signifies trust and affection. Think you’re the one for Ampersand? Email us at [email protected]!

Meet Lexapro, the spirited 2-year-old seeking her perfect match! With her sassy demeanor and playful nature, Lexapro kno...
05/13/2024

Meet Lexapro, the spirited 2-year-old seeking her perfect match! With her sassy demeanor and playful nature, Lexapro knows how to steal hearts. Constantly seeking attention and adoring scratches and pets with our volunteers, she’s a bundle of joy waiting for the right home. Once comfortable, she also loves being around people. She is up to date on all vaccinations and tests; she’s ready for her forever home. Email [email protected] today if you think Lexapro might be the one for you!

Meet Alanine, the 8 year old cuddly charmer available to adopt! This big boy adores attention and will purr up a storm t...
05/11/2024

Meet Alanine, the 8 year old cuddly charmer available to adopt! This big boy adores attention and will purr up a storm the moment he receives some chin scratches. Alanine is content to chill by himself but thrives on human affection. With his super fluffy coat, he’s a fan of regular brushing sessions. Ready to welcome this sweet boy into your life? Email [email protected] today to give Alanine the loving forever home he deserves!

This post is dedicated to our club advisor Damon Watkins! We want to him for his unwavering support to our cats and our ...
05/09/2024

This post is dedicated to our club advisor Damon Watkins! We want to him for his unwavering support to our cats and our program. Thank you Damon for everything you have done for us!

We are so excited to be teaming up with local tattoo shop Royal Sword Tattoo ! Come get a flash tattoo and all proceeds ...
05/05/2024

We are so excited to be teaming up with local tattoo shop Royal Sword Tattoo ! Come get a flash tattoo and all proceeds help save more cats!!

Walk-ins only and it is first come first serve. There will be a selection of flash tattoos provided, but feel free to bring your own 2x3 inch design! Tattoos are priced at $100.

Join us Thursday May 23rd from 12-8pm at 1543 W Grand Ave, get a tattoo, and support our program!

Meet Nico! He’s part of our Olympian Litter, and he’s up for adoption! Nico can be quieter at first, but one he gets to ...
05/03/2024

Meet Nico! He’s part of our Olympian Litter, and he’s up for adoption! Nico can be quieter at first, but one he gets to know you, he becomes an extremely loving and bubbly cat! This 9-month-old is very talkative and won’t hesitate to let you know if he wants to be pet or brushed. He also really enjoys the company of his fosters and has been known to nap with them. Nico can be a little sneaky at times and will sometimes sneak a drink out of your water cup when you’re not paying attention. If you’re interested in adopting this lively boy, please email [email protected] to learn more about the adoptions process!

*Important note: Nico, along with the other Olympian litter kitties, is FeLV +. FeLV, known as feline leukemia virus, is a retrovirus that causes compromised immune system function. It can be transmissible to other cats primarily through close contact such as mutual grooming and bite wounds. Although this illness remains with them for the entirety of their lives, cats with FeLV can live very normal lives with proper care.

In April, 9 CPCP cats found their furrever homes 🏠💞:PinkPaisley & RoccoPippa & PepitaGooseDipperMaxMonkeyWe love to see ...
05/02/2024

In April, 9 CPCP cats found their furrever homes 🏠💞:
Pink
Paisley & Rocco
Pippa & Pepita
Goose
Dipper
Max
Monkey

We love to see our cats in their new homes! Feel free to send any CPCP alumni cats to and we would love to share them on our social medias!

Today is Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, and the Cal Poly Cat Program has plenty of kitties awaiting their furrever homes! 🏡❤️🐾...
05/01/2024

Today is Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, and the Cal Poly Cat Program has plenty of kitties awaiting their furrever homes! 🏡❤️🐾 The full list of available cats, including personality descriptions, can be found on our PetFinder, which is listed under the “Adopt” tab on our website: calpolycatprogram.org/adopt. Adopting out kitties allows us to extend our care and resources to helping other cats in need. It also opens up foster homes and enables us to place our more stressed or shy kitties into quieter environments and out of the shelter! All of our cats have received rabies and FVRCP vaccinations, have been screened for FIV and FeLV, and have been microchipped, spayed/neutered, and dewormed prior to being adopted. If you want to know more about what adopting from us looks like, please reach out to our adoptions coordinators at [email protected]. Swipe to see just some of our cats currently up for adoption!

Slide 2: Ampersand: A gentle girl who loves to make biscuits, is easily coaxed by treats, and chirps for attention when you leave the room!

Slide 3: Frog & Toad: An adorable bonded pair; these brothers love to cuddle in your lap, play with each other, and will be curious about whatever you’re doing!

Slide 4: Opal: A once shy kitty who has made amazing strides lately in foster. He loves to soak up the sun and will grab toys from his toy box to play with you!

Slide 5: Alanine: He adores chin scratches and attention and loves to be brushed!

Meet Marmalade: a friendly, playful boy who’s a pro at charming everyone he meets! Around 6 years old, he’s the perfect ...
04/28/2024

Meet Marmalade: a friendly, playful boy who’s a pro at charming everyone he meets! Around 6 years old, he’s the perfect blend of affection and fun. Marmalade loves snuggles and gets along great with other cats. Marmy is also fully up to date on all vaccinations! Email [email protected] to meet him!

Meet Cedric, the adorable and handsome kitty you’ve been searching for! This sweet boy is all about fun and cuddles. He’...
04/25/2024

Meet Cedric, the adorable and handsome kitty you’ve been searching for! This sweet boy is all about fun and cuddles. He’s a playful little guy who goes wild for his toys, but when playtime’s over, he’s ready to snuggle up and soak in all the love and affection you have to offer. Cedric isn’t afraid to use his voice to let you know when he’s craving attention, so get ready for some adorable meows. If you’re looking for a furry friend who can keep you entertained and shower you with love, Cedric is the perfect match for you! Email [email protected] to take him home!

Meet Aelin, a playful and fluffy sweetheart! This little guy is always up for a good time with any toy you offer. With h...
04/24/2024

Meet Aelin, a playful and fluffy sweetheart! This little guy is always up for a good time with any toy you offer. With his plush coat and love for attention, Aelin enjoys nothing more than a good scratch or petting session. Since arriving at our shelter, he’s blossomed into a friendly companion who adores the company of our volunteers. If you’re looking for a charming addition to your family, Aelin might just be the perfect match for you!

Today’s Transformation Tuesday features Leucine, one of our amino acid intakes (who is also adoptable)! Leucine came to ...
04/23/2024

Today’s Transformation Tuesday features Leucine, one of our amino acid intakes (who is also adoptable)! Leucine came to us a little over a month ago in rough shape. She had a bad upper respiratory infection and was very uncomfortable and lethargic. After a short while in our care, her health has improved dramatically and she’s been showing us her spunky, gentle, and outgoing personality. She even attended one of our recent fundraising events! Leucine’s favorite thing to do is snuggle up to you while she loudly purrs. When she’s not receiving head rubs, you can find her basking in the sun or taking a long nap. She’s also a huge fan of dangle toys! Swipe to see her transformation!

Your ongoing support allows CPCP to care for more cats like Leucine and tell others about our program. With your generous donations, we are able to provide these sweet animals with the love, veterinary care, and the nutrition they deserve! Currently, we have quite a few new intakes with a wide array of medical problems, and these expenses add up. If you’re able, please consider donating to our cause! The best way to donate is through visiting the “Donate” tab on our website (calpolycatprogram.org/donate). You can fill out the Cal Poly Giving form or shop our Amazon/Chewy wishlists!

We are so thankful for our wonderful CPCP community!

Meet Percy! Percy is part of our Olympian litter, and he is available for adoption! Percy is a lovable and cuddly little...
04/19/2024

Meet Percy! Percy is part of our Olympian litter, and he is available for adoption! Percy is a lovable and cuddly little guy who loves head rubs and hanging around humans. You can find him snuggling on the couch next to you or waiting patiently at the door to get in. This sweetheart has plenty of quirks and will instantly make you fall in love with his silly and bubbly personality!

Percy has so much love to give and really wants his furrever home! Email our adoptions coordinators at [email protected] to inquire more about Percy.

*Percy, along with the other Olympian kitties, are positive for FeLV. FeLV is an illness resulting in compromised immune system function. It is transmissible to other cats primarily through saliva. However, FeLV cats can still live happy and healthy lives! If you have any questions about Percy’s condition, don’t hesitate to message us! 💗

We are still in the process of moving! We are so appreciative of everyone’s generosity and support during this transitio...
04/18/2024

We are still in the process of moving! We are so appreciative of everyone’s generosity and support during this transition period. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated through the Cal Poly giving site or online wishlists. Your contributions have made a significant difference, and we are truly grateful for your kindness. If you would like to help us out, please visit our website calpolycatprogram.org/donate for more information! Thank you!!

Flower is available for adoption! Flower is a big sweetheart who loves head rubs from our volunteers and laying by her f...
04/15/2024

Flower is available for adoption! Flower is a big sweetheart who loves head rubs from our volunteers and laying by her foster’s legs. Flower will also easily match your energy level, whether you’re lounging on the couch for a lazy day or ready for playtime. If you’re considering adopting Flower, please email our adoptions coordinators at [email protected]! You can read more about our adoption process by navigating to the “Adopt” tab on our website, linked in our bio.

Our most recent intake was 13 cats, 6 of which were 4 week old kittens. They were a transfer from an overwhelmed shelter...
04/13/2024

Our most recent intake was 13 cats, 6 of which were 4 week old kittens. They were a transfer from an overwhelmed shelter.

We are a volunteer run shelter. 100% of our staff team are Cal Poly students currently pursuing an undergraduate degree!

We unfortunately do not receive any monetary financial support from Cal Poly. Please consider donating to help our mission. More information is on our website calpolycatprogram.org/donate! Thank you to everyone for their generosity!!

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1 Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA
93407

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Our Story

Cal Poly Cat Program (CPCP) started as a 1992 senior project by Garret Quindimil to solve the problem of a rising cat population at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s campus. At that time, nearly 400 cats and kittens roamed campus. The majority had been abandoned by students and other local residents. Feral cats were trapped, then euthanized by the local Department of Animal Regulations. Although this decreased the cat population, it did not solve the problem. CPCP modeled their solution on the "Test, Trap, Vaccinate, Medicate, Alter, and Release" (TTVMAR) technique, developed by the National Feral Cat Resource Center. Today we estimate the feral cat population on campus to be at 30. Most of these cats have gone through our program, so they are sterile, vaccinated, and healthy.

CPCP also has a shelter located on Cal Poly’s campus with an ongoing adoption program in place. Our adoption program has placed more than 1,500 cats and kittens into caring homes, and continues working towards a time of no more homeless cats! CPCP is working to get the 50+ cats at the shelter into temporary foster care or loving new families. These cats receive their daily love supplied by numerous volunteers, but they still need forever homes!


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