Who We Are
Our Story
A small group of volunteers in Bakersfield who refused to look away — and built something that has saved over 500 lives.
How It Started
Every cat we've saved started with someone who cared enough to stop.
Stray Paws Society was born out of a simple, stubborn belief: that every cat in Kern County deserves more than a life on the street or a number on a shelter list. We started as a handful of neighbors, coworkers, and strangers brought together by a shared love for animals and a frustration with the alternatives.
There were no grants at first. No building. No staff. Just people opening their homes, spending their own money, and waking up at 2 a.m. to bottle-feed kittens who would have otherwise had no chance.
That's still exactly who we are today — only now we've matched over 505 cats with loving families, earned our 501(c)(3) status, and partnered with PetSmart Charities to serve all of Kern County. Not because it was easy. Because it was worth it.
- 505+
- Lives Saved
- 100%
- Volunteer Run
- 2
- PetSmart Locations
- 0
- Kennels — Ever
Our Model
Not a shelter.
A network of homes.
We don't have a building. We never will. Every cat in our care sleeps in a real home — on a real couch, in a real lap — with a foster family who treats them like their own.
This matters more than it might sound. Cats who grow up in homes are socialized, calm, and ready to bond deeply with their adoptive families. They're not institutionalized. They're loved before they even meet you.
Our fosters are the heartbeat of this organization. Every single one is a volunteer who gave their time, their home, and a piece of their heart — so a scared, hungry animal could have a second chance at life.
What Drives Us
Our Values
Compassion First
Every decision we make — from intake to adoption — starts with what's best for the animal. Full stop.
Home Over Kennel
We believe animals heal and thrive in real homes, not cages. It's not just our model — it's our conviction.
Community-Powered
We are our volunteers. Without Kern County showing up — donating, fostering, adopting — none of this is possible.
Direct Impact
We are a small, volunteer-run nonprofit focused on direct impact. Our donations go toward helping animals in need and supporting the community that makes this work possible.
The Real Impact
Behind every number is a name.
505 is not a statistic to us. It's 505 animals who were sick, scared, or hours from death — and who are now warm, fed, and loved. Here's what that looks like.
The Bottle Babies
Kittens too young to survive alone come to us around the clock. Our fosters wake up every two hours through the night to feed them. Most make it. All of them are worth it.
The Overlooked Seniors
Older cats are often the last to be adopted. We don't give up on them. We've matched seniors with empty-nesters and retirees who say they were exactly what each other needed.
The Fearful Ones
Cats who were abused, feral, or severely traumatized take time. Our fosters have that time — and infinite patience. Watching a terrified cat learn to trust again is something you never forget.
Our Partners
We don't do this alone.
Our partnership with PetSmart Charities gives us two adoption center locations in Bakersfield, allowing us to connect rescues with families seven days a week.
Proud PetSmart Charities Partner
Where Your Support Goes
Every dollar goes directly to the animals.
We are a small, volunteer-run nonprofit focused on direct impact. Our donations go directly toward helping animals in need and supporting the community that makes this work possible. Stray Paws Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit — EIN 87-2538665. All donations are tax-deductible.
This mission only works
because of people like you.
Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate — you are the reason these cats make it. Join a community of people in Kern County who decided to do something about it.