Kitty Klippers: Community Cat Program Impact & Expansion Strategy
East Kern County Community Foundation
Funded by Rio Tinto Borax Visitor Center Foundation
Strategic Grant Report & Funding Roadmap
Funded by Rio Tinto Borax Visitor Center Foundation
Strategic Grant Report & Funding Roadmap
Presented by Megan Pater, Executive Director
November 2025
November 2025
Executive Summary: A Program That Exceeded All Expectations
Kitty Klippers launched in 2023 as East Kern County's first comprehensive spay and neuter program targeting feral and community cats in underserved rural areas. Through mobile clinics and strategic community partnerships, we've brought professional veterinary care directly to communities that previously had limited access to these critical services.
In 2025, we not only met our ambitious goals, we surpassed them by 186%. We treated 93 cats against an initial target of 50, demonstrating both the tremendous need in our community and the effectiveness of the mobile clinic model. This success reflects our commitment to accessible, high-quality care and the trust we've built with residents across Kern County.
186%
Goal Achievement
Exceeded 2025 targets
93
Cats Treated
Year-to-date 2025
6
Clinic Trips & Mobile Clinics
June through October
Three Years of Exponential Growth
Since launching in 2023, Kitty Klippers has experienced remarkable year-over-year growth, treating more cats each year as we've refined our operations, expanded our volunteer network, and deepened community trust. This consistent upward trajectory demonstrates both the urgent need for spay and neuter services in rural Kern County and the sustainability of our mobile clinic model.
From 27 cats in our inaugural year to 93 in 2025, we've grown by 244% over three years. Each number represents a cat that received professional veterinary care, preventing future litters and reducing community cat populations humanely. More importantly, each clinic builds relationships with residents who become advocates for responsible pet stewardship in their neighborhoods.
Understanding Our Population: Who We Serve
Treatment Population Breakdown – 2025
The overwhelming majority of cats we treat 83.9% are feral community cats living in colonies throughout rural Kern County. These unsocialized cats form the backbone of the community cat population and are the primary drivers of reproduction without intervention.
The remaining 16.1% includes owned cats from low-income families who cannot afford traditional veterinary services, as well as friendly strays who may have once been pets. By serving both populations, we address the full spectrum of community need.
Financial Stewardship: Maximizing Every Dollar
Through careful resource management and strategic partnerships, we've operated an efficient, high-impact program. Our 2025 expenses totaled $7,810.13, delivering spay/neuter services to 93 cats—an average cost of just $84 per animal, significantly below traditional veterinary clinic rates.
Our largest investments—veterinary services and pet supplies—directly support animal care. Transportation costs reflect our mobile model, bringing services to remote communities. This lean budget demonstrates fiscal responsibility while maintaining the highest standards of veterinary care and safety for every animal we treat.
Where Your Investment Goes: Transparent Financial Breakdown
Our total budget of $7,810.13 for 2025 was allocated across key expense categories, ensuring every dollar directly supported our mission. This transparent breakdown illustrates our commitment to efficient fund usage and maximizing impact for every cat we serve.
As the chart demonstrates, the vast majority of funds—a combined 66.3% (Veterinary Services, Pet Supplies, and Medications & Supplies)—go directly towards animal care. This ensures that the cats receive the highest quality spay/neuter surgeries, essential vaccines, and necessary post-operative care.
Transportation costs, accounting for 30.0%, are a result of not having access to local services. This investment from KCAS allows professional veterinary services to directly reach remote, underserved communities in East Kern County, overcoming geographical barriers and ensuring access for those most in need. This strategic allocation reflects our transparent financial stewardship and dedication to impactful community service.
Mobilizing Resources Across Rural Communities
6
Clinic Trips & Mobile Clinics
June–October 2025
5
Clinic Locations
Boron, Rosamond, Mojave, Simi Valley, Huntington Beach
3
Local Volunteers
Community engagement
3
Veterinary Staff
1 vet, 2 vet techs
KCAS’s SNIP mobile clinic brings licensed veterinary care directly into rural communities, removing the transportation barriers that prevent low-income residents from accessing services. From June to October 2025, Kitty Klippers, through partnership with SNIP and KCFAS completed three full clinic days across key East Kern locations and we conducted three additional transport runs to partner brick-and-mortar clinics, creating a consistent and reliable care pathway. This joint approach strengthened community trust and ensured that high-volume, at-risk animals received timely care.
Our three dedicated local volunteers handle intake, community education, and post-operative care instructions, creating a warm, welcoming environment. We also participated in the 20 Mule Team Days community event, reaching hundreds of residents with educational materials about responsible pet ownership while finding 3 lucky kittens new homes.
Building Sustainable Funding: Active Grant Pipeline
1
September 2025
Grant Research & Development
Identified four strategic funding opportunities aligned with program expansion goals and revenue-generating initiatives
Identified four strategic funding opportunities aligned with program expansion goals and revenue-generating initiatives
2
November 6, 2025
Greater Good: Rescue Rebuild Application
Submitted comprehensive proposal for temporary housing construction to support recovery operations—Status: Under Review
Submitted comprehensive proposal for temporary housing construction to support recovery operations—Status: Under Review
3
November 8, 2025
Rio Tinto Borax: Kitty Klippers Report
Completed strategic impact report and funding roadmap for continued partnership—Status: Submitted
Completed strategic impact report and funding roadmap for continued partnership—Status: Submitted
4
November–December 2025
UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Received invitation to apply for partnership focused on scaling best practices and protocols—Status: Application in Progress
Received invitation to apply for partnership focused on scaling best practices and protocols—Status: Application in Progress
5
December 2025
Sumerlee Foundation
Submitted application for operational support and mobile clinic expansion—Status: Pending Response
Submitted application for operational support and mobile clinic expansion—Status: Pending Response
Innovation for Impact: Revenue-Generating Expansion
To ensure long-term sustainability, we are developing a single multi-use mobile unit that can operate in two configurations, spay/neuter services and adoption/outreach. This approach moves EKCCF and Kitty Klippers beyond grant dependency and establishes a hybrid funding model that blends mission-driven services with reliable earned-income streams.
1
SNIP Configuration:
Mobile Spay/Neuter & Wellness Unit
A fully equipped mobile veterinary clinic providing low-cost sterilization and basic wellness services in underserved rural areas. The SNIP configuration will operate on a fee-for-service model with sliding-scale subsidies for low-income families and caregivers of community cats.
- Professional surgical suite with onboard prep and recovery stations
- Regular service routes for communities without local veterinary access
- Fee-for-service structure paired with subsidized appointments for qualifying households
- Creates a predictable earned-revenue stream that directly supports high-volume spay/neuter
2
Adoption & Outreach Configuration: Mobile Pet Placement and Community Engagement
The same vehicle converts into a mobile adoption and outreach center that brings rescued animals directly to community events, farmers markets, and festivals. This configuration focuses on placement, education, and on-site fundraising.
- Safe, visible kenneling and viewing areas for adoptable animals
- Onboard space for applications, counseling, and microchipping at events
- Branded merchandise and donation station to generate additional revenue
- Adoption fees and earned income reinvested into spay/neuter, medical care, and rural clinic support
Excellence in Care: Our Standard Operating Protocol
Every cat that comes through our program receives the same high standard of care, following veterinary best practices and protocols that prioritize animal welfare, safety, and successful recovery. Our comprehensive process ensures professional outcomes whether we're treating a friendly stray or an unsocialized feral cat.
Pre-Operative Intake
Complete health assessment, weight measurement, and medical history documentation. Each cat receives identification and tracking for post-operative follow-up.
Anesthesia & Surgical Procedure
Licensed veterinarians perform sterilization using appropriate anesthesia protocols. Feral cats receive ear-tipping for visual identification post-release.
Recovery Monitoring
Continuous supervision during anesthesia recovery in temperature-controlled environments. Vital signs monitored until fully alert and stable.
Post-Operative Care Instructions
Detailed discharge guidance provided to caregivers, including pain management, wound care, activity restrictions, and warning signs requiring veterinary attention.
Community Follow-Up
Volunteers check on recovered cats and provide ongoing support to caregivers. Colony caretakers receive education on long-term population management.
Strategic Roadmap: Scaling Impact in 2026
Geographic Expansion
Launch mobile clinics in 3–4 new communities. Establish quarterly clinic schedules to build predictable service access.
Multilingual Outreach
Develop Spanish-language educational materials, social media content, and intake forms to better serve our diverse community. Partner with bilingual volunteers for clinic support.
Volunteer Recruitment
Recruit and train 5–10 new volunteers including veterinary students, retired professionals, and community advocates. Create structured volunteer roles with clear pathways for leadership development.
Infrastructure Development
Construct temporary housing facility through Greater Good Rescue Rebuild grant to support extended recovery needs and foster program expansion. Estimated completion: Spring 2026.
UC Davis Partnership
Leverage UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program expertise to refine protocols, train volunteers in best practices, and establish quality benchmarks for program evaluation and continuous improvement.
Sustainable Revenue Model
The multi-use mobile unit generates $568,800 to $705,600 in annual earned revenue through high-volume clinics and adoption events, creating a reliable foundation for long-term sustainability. With consistent operation, the bus can fully pay for itself within one to two years.
The Impact of Partnership: Looking Forward
The success of Kitty Klippers reflects the power of strategic partnerships between foundations, community organizations, and dedicated volunteers. With support from Rio Tinto Borax Visitor Center Foundation and the East Kern County Community Foundation, we've built a program that doesn't just treat cats, it strengthens communities.
Every spay and neuter surgery prevents dozens of future litters, reduces shelter intake, decreases euthanasia rates, and improves public health outcomes. But beyond the numbers, we're building a culture of compassion and responsibility in rural communities that have historically lacked access to basic veterinary services.
As we scale our operations in 2026, we remain committed to the principles that have guided us from the beginning: accessibility, excellence, and sustainability. Together, we're proving that innovative service delivery models can transform animal welfare in rural America.
By the Numbers: Three Years of Community Impact
191
Total Cats Treated
2023–2025 cumulative
84%
Feral Population
Preventing thousands of births
$84
Cost Per Cat
Efficient, sustainable model
Community Engagement
- 6 major community outreach event
- Hundreds of residents educated
- Growing volunteer network
- Growing Donor Base
Veterinary Excellence
- 12 Trips to Licensed veterinarians
- Professional surgical standards
- Comprehensive recovery protocols
- Zero serious complications
Strategic Growth
- 244% increase over three years
- Four active grant applications
- Two revenue-generating initiatives
- Partnership with UC Davis
Connect With Us
Megan Pater
Executive Director
East Kern County Community Foundation
Thank you for your partnership in creating healthier, more compassionate communities across rural Kern County. Together, we're making a measurable difference one cat, one clinic, one community at a time.