Marigold
4 monthsDomestic Shorthair
Playful, curious, and endlessly cuddly. Marigold loves toy mice and gentle laps. Would thrive with another kitten or a patient adult cat.
Meet Marigold →501(c)(3) Cat Rescue · Manhattan Beach, CA
Every cat deserves
a soft place to land.
Carson Cats Rescue rescues, treats, and rehomes homeless, abandoned, and at-risk cats and kittens across Southern California. We're a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) built on foster homes, generous donors, and neighbors who believe every life matters.
Our Mission
Rescue, heal, rehome, educate.
Carson Cats Rescue is dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned, neglected, and at-risk cats and kittens by providing lifesaving care, foster placement, veterinary treatment, adoption services, community education, and advocacy for responsible pet ownership. We work to improve feline welfare while promoting compassionate communities and reducing pet homelessness.
Medical care first
Every cat we take in is examined, vaccinated, tested, spayed or neutered, and treated for anything we find.
Home-based fostering
We don't operate a shelter. Cats live in loving foster homes where their personalities can shine.
Careful matching
We take time to match each cat with the right family — because a forever home should truly be forever.
Why Cat Rescue Matters
Millions of cats enter animal shelters in the United States every year, and cats are disproportionately affected by overcrowding, delayed medical care, and euthanasia for lack of space. Rescue organizations like ours partner directly with municipal shelters, community caretakers, and residents to intercept cats in crisis and give them the medical care, foster time, and matchmaking a shelter cannot provide.
Rescue is compassionate, but it is also strategic. Every kitten pulled from an overcrowded shelter opens space that saves another life. Every spay or neuter surgery prevents dozens of unwanted litters. Every community conversation about responsible pet ownership prevents future surrenders. This is how a small organization changes a whole neighborhood over time.
Our Story
Carson Cats Rescue was founded in Manhattan Beach by a small group of neighbors after they discovered a colony of stray cats and kittens near a local park. That first summer, our founders bottle-fed six orphaned kittens on rotating shifts, found homes for each of them, and returned the sterilized adult cats to the colony under a responsible caretaker plan.
The lesson from that first summer still shapes us today: rescue works best when it's rooted in the community. We remain volunteer-run, foster-based, and fiercely local. Our foster network stretches across the South Bay, our veterinary partners give us the ability to treat complex medical cases, and our adopters come from every corner of Southern California.
Read more about us
Cats Available for Adoption
A few of the wonderful cats currently in foster care. Every one is vetted, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and ready to meet you.
Willow
3 yearsDomestic Shorthair
A calm, thoughtful lap cat who greets guests at the door. Willow gets along well with dogs and older children.
Meet Willow →
Onyx
2 yearsDomestic Shorthair
Sweet, chatty, and full of personality. Black cats are the most overlooked in shelters, but Onyx is a total charmer.
Meet Onyx →
Clementine
5 yearsCalico
A gentle soul who prefers a quiet home. Clementine loves sunny windows and long grooming sessions.
Meet Clementine →
Foster Program
Foster homes are the heart of Carson Cats. From bottle-baby kittens to shy adults recovering their confidence, our fosters give cats the calm, individual attention they need to thrive. We provide all supplies and medical care — you provide the love and the couch. Fostering commitments range from two weeks to a few months depending on the cat.
Become a fosterVolunteer Opportunities
We couldn't do this without volunteers. Help at adoption events, drive cats to vet appointments, photograph cats for their online profiles, keep our books tidy, or design flyers. There is a role that fits your skills, your schedule, and your love of animals.
Explore rolesCommunity Education
Rescue is the last line of defense. Long-term change comes from education — helping neighbors understand feline behavior, medical needs, and responsible ownership so fewer cats end up in shelters to begin with.
Spay & Neuter Awareness
A single unspayed cat can be responsible for hundreds of kittens over her lifetime. Sterilization is the single most effective tool we have to end feline homelessness — and it makes cats healthier and happier along the way.
Responsible Pet Ownership
Adopting a cat is a fifteen- to twenty-year commitment. Responsible ownership means preventive veterinary care, safe indoor life, identification, patience through behavior challenges, and never abandoning a pet in need.
Community Support
We field questions from neighbors every week — behavior, litter box problems, community cat colonies, low-cost vet resources. Support before surrender keeps families together and keeps cats out of shelters.
Success Stories
Biscuit
Pulled from a shelter as a shy, undersocialized six-month-old. Six weeks in a patient foster home, and today Biscuit greets his adopters at the door every evening.
Poppy & Fig
Two bottle-baby sisters raised by a first-time foster family. Adopted together into a home with two children who read them a book every night before bed.
Captain
A senior tuxedo cat surrendered when his elderly owner moved to assisted living. Captain now spends his afternoons in a sunny window at his new family's home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I adopt a cat from Carson Cats Rescue?
Browse the cats currently available on our Adopt page, submit a short application, and our matchmaker will contact you to set up a meet-and-greet. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and initial vet care.
Do you take in stray cats?
We take intakes based on foster availability and medical need. If you've found a stray cat or kitten, please contact us so we can help evaluate the situation and connect you with local resources.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Carson Cats Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 46-4828084). All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Can I foster if I already have pets?
Absolutely. Many of our best foster homes have resident cats or dogs. We match fosters carefully and provide guidance on safe introductions.
How can I volunteer without fostering?
There are many ways to help — adoption events, transport, photography, administrative help, community outreach, and more. See our Volunteer page for open roles.
Latest Articles
Practical guides and stories from our foster homes and volunteers.
January 12, 2026 · 7 min
The Benefits of Cat Adoption: Why Choosing Rescue Changes Lives
Discover the many rewards of adopting a rescue cat — from saving lives and supporting nonprofits to gaining a loving, lifelong companion.
January 19, 2026 · 8 min
Preparing Your Home for a New Cat: A Room-by-Room Guide
A practical, welcoming checklist to get your home ready before you bring home a new cat or kitten from rescue.
January 26, 2026 · 9 min
Kitten Care Essentials: The First Twelve Weeks and Beyond
Everything new kitten caregivers need — nutrition, socialization, vet care, and safety — from birth through the crucial early months.
Your donation saves lives.
Every dollar we receive goes directly to vet care, food, and rescue for the next cat who needs us. Donations are securely processed through our partner Every.org and are 100% tax-deductible.
$25
One month of food for a foster litter
$50
Full vaccine series for one cat
$100
FeLV/FIV testing + microchip
$250
One spay or neuter surgery
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