My life changed forever when I met the founder of Last Hope Cat Kingdom and visited the facility. The property is the biggest in the area (18 acres or so..) and has a huge, climate controlled cattery. The cattery has 9 separate rooms with windows and screen doors so that the healthy cats can go in and out. There are large yards in the front and back (each of these "yards" are larger than most people's entire property, I might add) which the cats have access to. There are cat trees everywhere as well as fresh food and water everywhere you look. I have been personally very heavily involved with Last Hope for about the last year and have seen the dedication that all involved have to helping animals. I have seen the founder, Renate, drop everything and literally jump into her car and race off to scoop some poor creature off the side of the road and race it to the vet. Last Hope has obtained grants in order to issue low cost spay/neuter vouchers to residents in the county so that we can combat the root of the pet overpopulation problem - too many unaltered animals. Last Hope participated in community events and provides education to the public regarding resources available to them and has assisted other rescues when they have had a need. I really can't say enough about this non profit. If you are ever in the Atwater area, I encourage you to call and schedule an appointment to see the facility and (hopefully) to meet Renate. You will be glad you did.
June 2013 news headline: Dozens of animals found dead and sick in Atwater
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?id=9156393
"He said many of the animals were severely emaciated, some had their eyes swollen shut, and others were infected with diseases. A team of veterinarians from across the state evaluated the pets and euthanized about two hundred of them on site."
First off I want to start off by saying I am so honored and blessed to know and work with Last Hope Cat Kingdom and it's Staff. These people are extremely dedicated into making sure all the animals are loved, taken care of, socialized, and healthy. Lots of animals that are sick, abused, hurt, abandoned, etc come into Last Hope. These amazing volunteers get up bright and early and work until late after the sun has gone down. Many of these animals have known them since birth do to pregnant cats and dogs being dropped off. Not to mention The horses, goats, Pot belly pigs and more that are also at Last Hope on the farm side.
You have read it before Last Hope was founded by Renate and Her late daughter Mona with the passion and love in their hearts to help these beautiful animals. I met Renate and Mona through a work place that I used to groom at. I did not know them well but over time I learned about them and what they were doing and I instantly had a heart for them. How amazing that two people would take on a world of animals, however, as I learned it was more than two that are out there dedicated to cleaning, feeding, building, caring and more with all the animals out there.
I lost my job due to an accident however, I have been blessed to be a volunteer to help Last Hope Cat Kingdom on their journey to save lives. Renate inspires me with strength, love and devotion. The kind I hope that I will be able to show to others. The volunteers are all amazing and wonderful and inspire me to know that there are many caring hearts and they are all truly wonderful.
Take a day go out to Last Hope Cat Kingdom and volunteer. Just one day. It is amazing to see what all these volunteers do each day. Remember this is a non-profit organization, and even better a No-Kill shelter. There is always laundry needing to be done, cat boxes needing to be cleaned, sweeping, mopping, dusting, washing, fixing food, and water, socializing, petting and loving, and so much more. The dedication alone is truly amazing. They need volunteers, ones that have a passion for animals. Volunteers who will gladly give up a day out of the week or two or out of the month that will come and help.
It can be as little as once a year, that one day helps. It can be only doing laundry and that will help or doing one room cleaning and that does help. It may seem small but it is a big help. Last Hope will appreciate it. If you can't volunteer your time but still want to help, they are always looking for donations. Yes money as well but stuff like, cat food, dog food, hay, alfalfa, pig food, all animal food lol, cat litter, cat boxes, brooms, trashcans, trashbags, mops, buckets, paper towels, blankets, laundry soap, cat and dog toys, cat and dog furnature, beds, dog houses, etc... so much they really do appreciate even the smallest of things. Such as going to local pet stores and buying a snack or one can of food it does help.
Of course Adopting always helps too, with so many animals needing home adopters and fosters are always welcome. Please remember there is a fee to adopt. But it is to make sure they are going to the right people. You will know if you are right because you will make it happen to own the pet. You will be willing to spend money for that special baby to be your own.
There is so much that can be done and if you are willing call, come on over, or email to see what you can do today.
I first visited Last Hope Cat Kingdom a few years ago and upon my first visit was overwhelmed by their tremendous commitment to helping needy animals. They help SO many animals that are abused, sick and without homes. The organization is powered by a group of the most devoted volunteers who give so much of themselves to help keep the organization going. Seeing Last Hope's commitment inspired me to want to do more, to help more, to make a difference, simply because I saw how much this organization was doing. I cannot speak highly enough for the level of care that this organization provides and would recommend them to anyone who wants to get involved and help animals in need.
Last Hope is a non-profit 501c3 shelter in Merced County. They are the only shelter that actively rescues, shelters and rehomes dogs and cats from Merced County. Founded by Mona, (Renate's) daughter as a cat shelter, that helped rescue and spay and neuter thousands of feral cats, the shelter now rescues dogs, cats horses, goats, and pot belly pigs. Unlike rescues in other counties, that can work with other 501's in their community, they stand alone, and has the burden of often being the only firewall between life and death. Along with Cat House on the Kings, Last Hope is the only major valley organization that helps rescue and rehome thousands of cats. John. TheBigFixCentralValley.org
We adopted our dog from Last Hope not realizing it was the same organization we volunteer for! LHCK has brought so many needy animals together with loving families.
There was a stray dog that had been abandoned in my neighborhood. I had been trying to catch it for a while but it was being continually hit by people and was very shy. I was not sure what to do with it even if I did manage to catch it so I contacted Last hope. Pam Moody contacted me from their facebook page and worked with me each step of the way. When I was finally able to catch the poor sweet thing she came and transported her to the last hope shelter. there the dog was finally looked at and given medical attention. She is sweet and wagging her tail and starting to warm up to people after her horrible ordeal. Thanks Last Hope.
Last Hope is an organization of HUGE hearts. I've had many experiences with them ranging from volunteer, to donor, to client served. It's hard to pick one story when they give 110% every day of their lives. I guess I'll share the story of a little darling I adopted from the shelter. I first came to volunteer at Last Hope when my own elderly kitty became sick and passed. Volunteering at Last Hope was therapeutic for me. I was able to give back to these other cats with no homes for all that my kitty did for me. After volunteering at the shelter for about a year, I became familiar with a female kitty in need of a home. Unfortunately for her, she had a heart murmur which made her a special needs kitty and harder to place. In addition, she was a survivor of the fire that occurred on New Year’s Eve 2011. After some thought, I agreed to see how she would do with my remaining male kitty. They are a happy little pair now (after the introductory period). She is a wonderful kitty and I can’t imagine life without her. Like all cats, she has her own cattitude--but she is such a love! We never replace a loved pet, but our heart always seems to grow for new ones.
I started volunteering for Last Hope Cat Kingdom about four years ago. I didnt have anything else to do with my free time so I figured why not help the animals. That decision changed the rest of my life. I realize through working with the animals that I had a great love and passion. I am currently a senior and after I graduate high school I will go to college to become a veterinarian. Before I started volunteering there I wasnt sure what I wanted to do but now I know.There name may be Last hope Cat Kingdom but they currently have cats,dogs,pigs,horses,and goats. This is a great worthy charity, they help all types of animals everyday.
My experience with Last Hope Cat Kingdom dates back to 2008, when I began working at a local pet store. I quickly began to see the key role LHCK played in helping SO many local animals find new, and more importantly, GOOD homes. Furthermore, this organization provided(and still does) low cost spay/neuter clinic trips to as many clients as possible. In addition to these invaluable services, Last Hope shelters many unadoptable animals, giving them sanctuary for the remainder of their natural lives. Many volunteers, myself included, band together to provide foster care for animals awaiting adoption when the Animal Sanctuary is at capacity. Last Hope is with each volunteer each step of the way, to make sure the fostered animals receive any needed medical care or other assistance while awaiting placement. Just recently, a young kitten was brought to my doorstep at 8:30 p.m., near death, in my opinion. She had an upper respiratory infection and a gash on her chin. She was also suffering from extreme low blood sugar and was completely lethargic. I called Renate, and bless her heart, she sent one her assistants to my house THAT NIGHT to tend to the little cat. That little cat is now thriving and will soon be spayed so she can find her forever home. Another example of Renate's devotion to Last Hope was the time I had two cats whose owner faced eviction in 3 days. Renate took the cats for adoption without thinking twice, saving them from a certain trip to Animal Control. Admittedly, it is sometimes hard to reach a volunteer when calling Last Hope. But please remember this is a VOLUNTEER based organization:) Everybody is trying their best:)
We are so blessed to have such a caring animal shelter in Merced county! They are truly dedicated to the well being of all animals!
My aunt had introduced me to a lady who worked with Cats, she found this article in the newspaper and invited me to stay with her one summer and wanted to know if I wanted to volunteer for the Cat place, I said sure, when I got there I was amazed to see so many cats looking for a home, I met the owner, Renate Schmitz, she is an amazing lady and her heart is full of passion for the Cats, for the animals, this lady lives to keep this place going and any help they can take is greatly appreciated. So I started working there, I fell in love with a cat who had been there his whole life, he was so friendly and so kind, always wanted attention, was so skinny, I adopted him, He is such a ball of joy, sleeps with all the animals including horses and other cats, even the DOG!, that aside, when I worked at The Last Hope Cat kingdom I was changing cat litter boxes, giving medicine to sick cats/kittens, changing out the food and water and putting fresh in. They have more than just Cats at the Last Hope Cat Kingdom, they have dogs, horses & other amazing animals that come from all over California or even other places too I'm sure. Each animal here has their story to tell and what you see in their eyes is hope that someone will adopt them & care for them like you would your own pet. This Cat Kingdom is truly an amazing place to help out. When I heard about the fire I rushed 2 days after it happened on a Train, packed a bag with my best friend and took the train out there to help out this Cat Kingdom. I live for this Kingdom, and if they needed me there I would be there in an instant. This impact on the cat kingdom not only changed my life but the lives of other Cats & Renate, I was truly upset to see so many innocent lives lost due to the fire that happened, The Cat Kingdom is up and running on their feet but they need a bit more help than that. Any donations or food..anything helps them out. My best friend and I fell in love with so many cats, each deserves a home and if the Cats could speak, they would be yelling out Thank you to anyone who gave a donation of some sort. The cats are what these volunteers live for and work for.. I live for these cats and the home that they are provided by the one and only Lady in memory of her Daughter, Renata Schmitz. This Lady is truly an amazing person for doing this, her daughter originally started this Cat kingdom for the passion of Animals. I myself would help out there all the time if I could. Animals need the love, the support & most of all a home. Do what your heart thinks is right & help out a Cat or Dog, any animal today. Adopt.
I donated to the shelter last year when they had a fire. More recently I adopted a puppy they rescued and cared for. I think this organization really strives to make a difference in our community. When I visited the facility I was greeted by many happy healthy animals. The puppy I adopted has been in good health and brought much joy to our family.
Great facility, and wonderful, caring people. The Last Hope Cat Kingdom is a wonderful haven for needy animals!
Last Hope Cat Kingdom is an all species animal rescue in Atwater, CA. This wonderful rescue is located on 18 acres where it is home to not only cats, but dogs, horses, pigs, goats and several other animals as well. This rescue adopted out over 600 cats last year alone. I'm very proud to be a part of this amazing place. It is operated on donations from the public. We also are very involved in the local spay and neuter programs as well as transporting them for this service every month. I believe this rescue is great prospect to be accepted on your list of sponsors. I cannot sing the praises of Last Hope Cat Kingdom enough. It is truly a wonderful place to visit and bring your family along.
Last Hope is a wonderful no-kill shelter where homeless and unwanted animals (of all kinds) can live out their lives safely. One of the major goals at Last Hope is to find suitable homes for the animals who can be adopted. I have been volunteering for the past few months by helping with adoptions. The non-profit shelter needs more volunteers to help with all aspects of running the shelter and with reaching goals for adoptions. They need volunteers to do anything and everything - from cleaning up to taking pictures and from visiting to helping with transporting dogs and cats for adoption events. They can also use donations, including items for large and small animals. Last Hope really is the last hope for so many animals in the Central Valley and they do wonderful things but they really need the community's help to continue their important and compassionate work.