Our Story

Southwest Cat Initiative (SWCI) was founded in August 2023 to bridge a gap in accessible veterinary care for community cats and kittens born into colonies.

The idea for SWCI grew from the founders’ experience in private veterinary practice, where they witnessed firsthand the challenges community cats faced when seeking veterinary care. Cats living outdoors often have no clearly identified owner, making it difficult to determine who is responsible for their medical needs. At the same time, the individuals who step forward to care for these cats frequently face barriers when trying to get them the care they need.

Southwest Cat Initiative recognizes the dedication of these individuals and strives to support their efforts. By providing accessible veterinary services and developing sustainable programs, SWCI works to make necessary care more attainable for community cats and the people who advocate for them.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve the welfare of all cats and their caretakers in New Mexico. We recognize caretakers as not just those feeding these cats, but also the veterinary staff and dedicated volunteers. By providing low-income spay/neuter services and trapping assistance, we aim to ease the burden on the animal welfare community and prevent overpopulation at its source.

Our Vision

Our goal is to become the leading spay/neuter clinic, providing high-quality and high-volume services, with a special focus on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). We envision a growing network that begins modestly but dreams of expanding its reach to serve the entire state of New Mexico, ensuring widespread access to vital care.

Our Values

We are confident that by fostering a workplace culture that educates, supports, and uplifts our employees and volunteers - the true heroes of animal welfare - we can bring our vision to life and accomplish our mission. Our aim is to cultivate a nurturing, respectful, and supportive environment that benefits everyone involved.