Saving Shasta Cats

In response to the need in Siskiyou County for care of abandoned cats and veterinary care for companion animals of families in financial need, Saving Shasta Cats was established in 2015 by Nicole Dwork, David Hicks and a small group of committed volunteers. 

In the fall of 2009, beginning with a feral cat colony consisting of 20 abandoned cats and their offspring, surviving on a vacant lot on Dunsmuir Avenue, Nicole set out to spay neuter and vaccinate each cat. With the help of Barbara Lovelace of the STAR program and Kim Latos of the Siskiyou Humane Society, the entire colony was fixed and kittens were adopted into loving homes. The colony of cats were released onto the property where they were originally discovered, having been recently purchased by Nicole and David. The lot had been home to the Dunsmuir Elementary School many years prior as well as the annual Carnival. Having been vacant for many years, it had become a dumping ground for unwanted cats. Nicole and David built their home on the property and embraced the felines living there.

Nicole created a sanctuary on this one acre lot, located next to the Children’s Park in Dunsmuir.  David transformed the property with fruit trees, a pond, native plants and a vegetable garden.

Dr. Tom Sampson and Mt Shasta Animal Hospital forged an enduring relationship with Nicole and Saving Shasta Cats, providing excellent veterinary care to the injured, abandoned and abused cats Nicole rescued.

Two generous bequests, given in 2015 and 2021 have sustained Saving Shasta Cats, funding one million dollars of veterinary care, spay neuter and healthy cat and dog food for companion animals and community cats in need. 

The San Francisco SPCA has accepted 90 cats and kittens from Saving Shasta Cats for adoption into loving forever homes since 2022. L’Ann Bingham forged this valuable relationship and transported these wonderful cats and kittens faithfully week after week, month after month to San Francisco from Mt Shasta.

Another blessing came from the San Francisco SPCA this month. Nicole Dwork and Kim Latos trapped and transported 40 feral cats to the SPCA for spay neuter and vaccinations on November 16. 

Plans for a surgery team from the San Francisco SPCA to conduct a mass spay neuter clinic in Dunsmuir are in the works for Spring 2024.

Saving Shasta Cats is a small but mighty group of 10 volunteers, working 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in rain, snow or sunshine and extreme heat, caring for community cat colonies in Dunsmuir, Mt Shasta and Weed, conducting ongoing TNR, rescuing injured, abandoned and abused cats, rehabilitating them, fostering and matching with individuals and families to find perfect forever homes. 

Our lifesaving work is a labor of love. We are privileged to care for these precious animals in need, and support the community in keeping their beloved pets in the home by providing emergency and routine veterinary care and healthy food. 

The work we and all fellow rescue organizations do is truly LOVE IN ACTION.

YOUR DONATION is also LOVE IN ACTION!  

HEARTFELT THANKS for supporting our efforts on behalf of cats and dogs in Siskiyou and Shasta Counties. ❤️