What We Do

Saving Lives Through Proven Programs

From trapping feral cats to finding forever homes, every NCO Rescue program is designed to reduce suffering and build a more humane Orange County — one cat at a time.

1,200+

Cats TNR'd

340+

Cats Adopted

Active Colonies

85+

Volunteers

A Comprehensive Approach to Cat Welfare

NCO Rescue operates five interconnected programs that address the full spectrum of cat welfare in Orange County. We believe that lasting change requires more than rescue — it requires community education, sustainable colony management, and a robust adoption pipeline.

Since our founding, we've helped thousands of cats through these programs. Every initiative is run by trained volunteers and supported by licensed veterinary partners who share our commitment to humane, evidence-based care.

Core Program

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

The gold standard for humanely managing feral cat populations.

Our TNR program is the cornerstone of NCO Rescue's work. Trained volunteers humanely trap feral and community cats, transport them to our partner veterinary clinics for spay or neuter surgery, vaccinate them against rabies and FVRCP, and return them to their outdoor homes. Ear-tipping — a small notch in the left ear — marks each cat as sterilized so they're never trapped unnecessarily again.

Humane trapping with live catch traps
Spay/neuter surgery at partner clinics
Rabies & FVRCP vaccination
Ear-tip identification for all TNR cats
Return to managed outdoor colony

Veterinary Care

Emergency Rescue & Medical Care

Rapid response for injured, sick, and vulnerable cats who need immediate help.

Not every cat can be returned to the outdoors. When we encounter cats with serious injuries, illness, or kittens too young to survive outside, our emergency rescue team steps in. We work with a network of licensed veterinary partners across Orange County to provide urgent medical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation. No cat is turned away due to cost — our medical fund covers care for every animal we take in.

24-hour emergency intake for injured cats
Partnerships with 6 veterinary clinics
Dedicated medical fund for critical cases
Rehabilitation and recovery foster care
Neonatal kitten care and bottle feeding

Community Program

Colony Management & Feeding

Stable, monitored colonies where community cats live safe and healthy lives.

For cats who are too feral to be socialized for adoption, a managed outdoor colony is the most humane outcome. Our colony caretakers provide daily feeding, fresh water, and regular health monitoring for 48 active colonies across Orange County. We maintain detailed records on every colony, track population changes, and coordinate with local municipalities to ensure our colonies are welcomed and sustainable.

48 active managed colonies in Orange County
Daily feeding and fresh water provision
Regular health monitoring and documentation
Community liaison and neighbor education
Weatherproof shelter structures provided

Adoption Program

Foster Care & Adoption

Matching socialized cats and kittens with loving forever families.

Cats and kittens who can be socialized are placed in our foster network while they await their forever home. Our foster families provide a safe, loving environment where cats can decompress, build trust with humans, and show their true personalities. We partner with local adoption events and screen every applicant to ensure each cat goes to a home where they'll thrive for life.

Foster network of 60+ approved homes
Behavioral assessment and socialization
Spay/neuter and vaccines before adoption
Thorough adoption screening process
Post-adoption support and resources

Surgical Program

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Access

Making sterilization affordable for every cat owner and caretaker in Orange County.

Overpopulation is the root cause of cat suffering. Our low-cost spay and neuter program removes financial barriers for pet owners and colony caretakers who want to do the right thing but can't afford full-price veterinary fees. We partner with clinics to offer subsidized surgeries and connect community members with resources to get their cats fixed — preventing thousands of unwanted litters each year.

Subsidized surgeries for income-qualifying owners
Free TNR surgeries for feral colony cats
Voucher program for Orange County residents
Microchipping available at reduced cost
Vaccine packages bundled with surgery

Every Program Runs on Volunteer Power

Our programs exist because dedicated people show up — to trap, to foster, to feed, to drive. Join us and make a direct difference for cats in Orange County.

Become a Volunteer Support Our Programs