Founded in 1981 by veterinarian Dr. Linda East, Cat Care Society (CCS) is a 501(c)(3) limited-admission cat shelter in Lakewood, Colorado, serving the Denver metro region and communities across the state. CCS is one of the few shelters in Colorado equipped to provide specialized medical care to cats with complex health conditions, including FIV+, FeLV+, kidney disease, diabetes, urinary conditions, mobility challenges, and severe food sensitivities.
As a free-roaming shelter, we treat every cat as an individual—worthy of care, comfort, and the time they need to heal and thrive.
We also believe caring for cats also means supporting the people who love them.
That’s why we offer free community seminars to help pet owners better understand behavior and health, Knibbles & Kibbles, our cat supply pantry providing free food and essentials, and our Temporary Care Program, which cares for cats while their owners navigate times of crisis—so they can be reunited when life stabilizes.
We also partner with 25+ other animal shelters and rescues across Colorado, taking in cats who need specialized medical or behavioral care, helping expand resources across the entire animal welfare community.
💛 Be a Cat-alyst for Change!
Whether it’s a one-time gift or a monthly commitment, your support makes a meaningful difference.
Every day, your generosity helps:
Provide food and essential supplies to families in need
Deliver lifesaving and ongoing medical care
Offer safe, temporary housing for cats during times of crisis
Create a calm, enriching environment where cats can heal and be themselves
Many supporters choose to give monthly, creating reliable care and stability for cats and the people who depend on us—but every gift, in any amount, helps move this work forward.
From July 2024 through June 2025, your support helped CCS make a measurable difference in the lives of cats and the community:
1,280 cats were welcomed into our care, giving them a safe, enriching environment to heal and socialize.
500+ cats were transferred from partner shelters, including many with medical or behavioral challenges, helping expand statewide support.
300 cats received specialized care for complex conditions such as FIV+, kidney disease, mobility challenges, and severe food sensitivities.
1,176 positive outcomes were achieved—adoption, reunion, or continued care through partners
The average length of stay for cats in our care decreased to 32 days, allowing more cats to access shelter, enrichment, and medical attention more quickly.
These outcomes are a testament to the growing trust and reach of Cat Care Society. But we know there is always more work to be done.
🐾Join Our Cat-Loving Community Today!
As we receive no government funding, Cat Care Society is supported by a community of loyal volunteers, donors, and partners, without whom we could not operate.
When you give, you’re helping cats receive the care they need while keeping people and their pets connected through life’s challenges.
Make a one-time gift or start a monthly gift and join the Cat-alyst Club today to be part of something steady, compassionate, and lasting for cats in need.
Cat Care Society's mission is to be a safe and enriching place for all cats on their journey to a loving home. We do this by providing compassionate care, shelter, adoption services and community engagement.
Founded in 1981 by Dr. Linda East and Lynn Rowe, Cat Care Society (CCS) has served thousands of cats and their people across Colorado. From the beginning, our vision has been clear: to be a safe and enriching place for all cats on their journey to a loving home—and to do so with compassion, excellence, and community at our core.
Our core values guide everything we do. We are welcoming of all cats, believing that no cat is too old or ill to be valued, loved, and treated with dignity. We show compassion not only for the cats in our care but also for the people whose lives we touch. We are committed to excellence, ensuring the highest quality of care for cats while providing trusted services for the people who love them. Our unique approach includes offering free-roaming, enriching spaces, embracing cats that need specialized support, and providing superior medical care. As a community-connected organization, we serve as a regional leader, inspirational model, and educational resource in cat welfare. We are also deeply inclusive, honoring the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of everyone who walks through our doors or engages with our community.
Our core programs support our mission in many ways. Through adoption and medical care, we ensure every cat receives individualized attention, socialization, and support to prepare them for loving homes. With the help of nearly 200 volunteers and dedicated foster caregivers, we expand our capacity to care for special-needs cats, seniors, and kittens in home environments. Our Temporary Care Program (TCP) offers a lifeline to pet owners facing crises by providing temporary shelter for their cats until they can be reunited. The Nibbles & Kibbles Food Bank supplies free cat food and essentials to community members experiencing financial hardship, helping keep cats safely in their homes. Additionally, our Nine Lives Legacy Society is a planned giving program that offers peace of mind for donors and ensures individualized care for their cats through our Guardianship Program while on their journey to find their next home.
Cat Care Society is a licensed shelter with the State of Colorado and a proud member of the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado (AWAC), Metro Denver Animal Welfare Alliance (MDAWA), and the West Metro Chamber of Commerce. We are also grateful to receive ongoing support through workplace giving programs such as the Combined Federal Campaign, Denver Employees Combined Campaign, and the Colorado Combined Campaign.
Organization name
Cat Care Society
other names
CCS
1981
Tax id (EIN)
84-0869447
Category
Animal-Related
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
5787 W. 6th AvenueJefferson County, CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Lakewood, CO, US