in the press

With trees to climb and scratch, and cubbies to hide in, the Working Cats Enclosure is perfect for enrichment.

“Presenting the Working Cats Enclosure” by Mary Scott

If you’ve visited the Memorial Garden at the rear of the ASAP shelter recently, you may have seen an interesting brown structure: the Working Cats Enclosure (WCE). Built in 2021 thanks to generous donations from friends of ASAP and the community, it's designed to provide space for non-social and semi-social cats designated as Alternate Placement, or Working Cats. These cats, due to not feeling comfortable around humans, are more stressed than most cats in the indoor shelter environment. The WCE provides enrichment, exercise, and fresh air for working cats awaiting program placement on ranches, farms, nurseries, and some residential properties. As a welcome alternative to a regular cage, the enclosure provides two appropriately-sized, enclosed and adjoining spaces for cat movement and play. It also provides more options for cats to choose their activities and where they can rest. Former Tiny Lions (non-social kittens taking part in the ASAP Tiny Lions kitten socialization program), Tully and London were the first official residents of the WCE, starting in mid-November 2022, prior to their placement at their new home on a ranch. A cat cam placed in the enclosure captured their nocturnal hijinks as they jumped, climbed, and chased each other happily about one of the two rooms of the enclosure. They were able to stretch, play, and get exercise prior to departing for their new home on November 19, 2022. ASAP plans to have many pre-placement working cats in the enclosure to give them a much-needed break from cage life. If you have any questions about the Working Cats program, or the Working Cats Enclosure, feel free to contact Mary Scott, Working Cats Program Director at workingcats@asapcats.org or 805-699-5739.

Download the whole ASAP Cat Nips Holiday 2022 newsletter here.

ASAP CATS / CAT NIPS NEWSLETTER 2022

“Love By The Pacifica: Working Cat Rescue”

We had the pleasure of rescuing three “Pacifica Kittens” (now named Coco, XiGua, and HuJiao by their adopters), who are currently enjoying the high life as recently adopted Working Cats in Montecito! What do those Chinese names mean? XiGua means watermelon, HuJiao means black pepper, and of course Coco means, well, Coco! The Pacifica Kittens’ story starts at the Pacifica Suites on Hollister Ave. near the ASAP shelter. ASAP received a call from a good samaritan at the Suites saying there was a stray mother cat and her kittens on the property. At that time, the Suites were occupied by the cast and crew of "Love Island," while filming took place in Goleta, and there was a handful of caring crew members who were feeding the cats. It was mid-July and filming was going to end soon, so Community Cats Coordinator Gina Sunseri jumped into action and trapped all three of the very shy kittens. The next day Gina trapped the mother cat — no small feat getting all four cats within 24 hours. While the mother cat named Pacifica by the ASAP team turned out to be friendly and adoptable through our regular adoption program, the three kittens were found to be not as social, and were designated as Working Cats. Enter Mary Scott, whom Gina had been communicating with on the three four-month-old cats. Working Cats Program Director Mary had an adopter ready to go after he acquired a cat house donated to ASAP for the backyard of his beautiful Montecito property. Brian and his wife were eager to give the cats a home, especially knowing they would help deter rodents on their property. Gina and Working Cat Placement Specialist Belinda Burns set the cats up at Brian’s in Montecito with loving care on a warm day in early September. Brian and Mary are still in touch, and he says the cats are doing great! Another happy ASAP ending for cats who started as homeless strays in our community.

NOOZHAWK, 11/19/2019

Mary Scott, Certified Professional Sitter

Pet Sitters International (PSI), an educational association for professional pet sitters, has announced that Mary Scott, owner of Pamper Pet – Pet Concierge in Santa Barbara has earned the designation of CPPS–Certified Professional Pet Sitter.

MONTECITO JOURNAL, 07/11/2019

Local volunteer recognized

Local pet sitter and volunteer Mary Scott has been acknowledged for her volunteerism and pet advocacy

SANTA BARBARA NEWSPRESS, 08/11/19

WORKING CATS

Working Cats places feral or semi-feral cats, who hunt rodents and other pests, in Santa Barbara County homes. There is no adoption fee.

SANTA BARBARA NEWSPRESS, 06/26/19

Scott honored for volunteer work

Mary Scott has been awarded the 2019 Pet Adoption Advocate Award by Pet Sitters International, a leading pet sitting association.

MONTECITO JOURNAL, 06/14/2019

Pet Adoption Advocate of the Year

The association recognizes Mary Scott, owner of PamperPet – Pet Concierge in Santa Barbara, California, for her efforts to help feral cats and promote local pet adoptions.