About Us

Save a Stray Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to improve the lives of stray and free-roaming cats throughout Maricopa County, Arizona. Our work began with a simple belief: reducing community cat overpopulation requires more than responding to the problem one litter at a time. It requires a humane, sustainable approach—and a commitment to the cats who are already here.

More Than TNR

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) remains at the heart of our work. Free-roaming cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their established colonies when appropriate. This prevents future litters while allowing community cats to remain in the environments they know. But returning a cat to its colony isn't where our responsibility ends. Save a Stray currently helps care for approximately 65 community cat colonies throughout Arizona’s East Valley. We provide and coordinate food and water, monitor colonies, organize TNR efforts, and identify cats that need additional help.

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When a cat is sick or injured, we work to get that animal veterinary care. When kittens are born or friendly cats appear in a colony and no owner can be located, we work to get them off the streets through our own adoption program or trusted rescue partners. And when an elderly or medically vulnerable cat can no longer safely survive outdoors, we believe that cat deserves somewhere safe to go. Some come into our care to spend their remaining time comfortable, protected, and loved.

Creating Change Beyond the Colonies

Save a Stray's work has also helped expand access to TNR for the wider community.

Founder Sue Harrington was instrumental in establishing the City of Chandler's TNR grant program, helping create a way for residents to access assistance with the cost of spaying and neutering free-roaming cats. Community TNR programs have since become part of the effort to address cat overpopulation in other East Valley cities as well.

Education and advocacy continue to be an important part of our mission. We work with local government, community members, volunteers, veterinary professionals, and rescue organizations to advocate for humane and practical solutions for community cats.

Better Days. More Tomorrows.

For Save a Stray, success isn't measured only by the number of cats spayed or neutered.

It's the colony that no longer produces litter after litter. It's the hungry cat who knows there will be food tomorrow. It's the injured cat who receives veterinary treatment. It's the friendly cat who gets a second chance in a home. And it's the old colony cat who no longer has to struggle to survive outside.

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Through TNR, rescue, adoption, colony care, veterinary assistance, hospice, education, and advocacy, we are working toward fewer cats being born into hardship—and better lives for the ones who are already here.

Better Days. More Tomorrows.