Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP)
Our Mission
The Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP Cats) is dedicated to saving the lives of cats in Santa Barbara County. We provide comprehensive shelter, veterinary care, behavioral support, and community outreach to ensure every feline finds the loving home they deserve.
A History of Commitment
Founded in 1989, ASAP was born from a community-led effort to ensure local cats received better care and expanded shelter access. Over the last three decades, our organization has evolved from a grassroots protest group into a leader in animal welfare, famously becoming the first municipal shelter in the U.S. to stop the euthanasia of adoptable cats for population control.
How We Care
Our shelter in Santa Barbara serves as a hub of compassion, offering a safe environment where cats receive personalized attention from our dedicated staff and volunteers. We believe in high-quality care that includes everything from essential veterinary services and vaccinations to behavioral enrichment, ensuring each cat is ready to transition into a new family. Through our collaborative approach, we manage a multifaceted operation that includes foster services, trap-neuter-return programs, and community-wide education.
Your Partner in Adoption
We believe there is a perfect match for every cat, and our dedicated team is here to help you find yours. By working closely with each adopter, our Match Makers ensure that you have the time, space, and resources to welcome a new friend into your life. We view adoption as the start of a lifelong partnership, and we are here to support you every step of the way, even after you bring your new companion home.
Join Our Mission
Ready to meet your new best friend? We invite you to explore our adoptable cats online or visit us at our shelter to see firsthand the wonderful felines waiting for their forever families. You can also contact us to schedule an appointment or learn more about how you can volunteer, foster, or donate to support our work.
- Knowledgeable and welcoming staff
- Transparent and proactive animal healthcare
9/18 - Partnership Aims to Empty the Shelters, Find Pets Forever Homes
Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) and BISSELL Pet Foundation is partnering together for the Empty the Shelters national campaign for pet
6/2 - County Animal Services to Offer Fee-Waived Adoptions for California Adopt-a-Pet Day
(SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif.) – On Saturday, June 6, 2026, Santa Barbara County Animal Services (SBCAS) will join animal shelters across California in
10/8 - 🤍🖤 Meet Vincent 🖤🤍 Vincent is a handsome 3-year-old black & white boy who was left behind in a residence. He was unneutered when brought to ASAP in September — look at those tomcat cheeks! He is now neutered and ready for a forever home 🏡 🐈⬛ Vincent is a nice kitty and loves to greet people with loud, expressive meows 😸🔊 Stop by ASAP to say hello to Vincent! 🕐 Shelter public hours: Mon-Thurs 1-4pm, Sat 11am-3pm 📍 5473 Overpass Rd 101, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
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9/29 - *Update: Felix has now lost 5 pounds! Felix is feeling fine after losing 2 pounds! 🎉🩶 This big & beautiful four-year-old boy has been working hard exploring our shelter lobby. He enjoys lounging around, meowing at humans, and finding the sunny spot by our front door ☀️ Ready to cozy up for Fall? Felix is the perfect cat to keep you company! Fill out an adoption application today by going to the link in our bio 🔗 or visit Felix at ASAP Cats! 🕐 Mon-Thurs 1-4pm, Sat 11am-3pm 📍 5473 Overpass Rd. #101, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
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9/23 - 🧡 Getting to Know Romeo 🧡 (an excerpt from our Summer 2026 newsletter) After being surrendered to a local shelter following the passing of his owner, Romeo was transferred to us in need of some serious behavior training. Scared, defensive, and constantly on edge, he refused to come out of his in-cage kennel for the first few weeks in our care. Our team patiently (and carefully) gave him food and monitored his behavior, and after a month at our shelter, we decided to try giving Romeo more space. Our team moved him into one of our open-air runs and over the course of the next few months, Romeo started to improve. Noticing he was initially still skittish, our Behavior team gradually entered the run and got him accustomed to being in proximity to people. Next, we tried initiating play, offering treats and slowly gauging his interests. Following this pattern for a few weeks, Romeo eventually would approach our team for touch on his own terms. After being with ASAP for over five months, Romeo has become a confident and loving cat. He enjoys looking directly at humans and chattering as if to initiate conversation, and is curious of other cats and likes to be around them. All that’s left for Romeo is to leave ASAP’s shelter. We believe he is ready to set down roots in his own home with his own bed and his own family. Stop by ASAP Cats during public hours, or visit him at our Adoption Event this Saturday 10am-3pm! 📍5473 Overpass Rd #101, Santa Barbara, CA 93111 🕐 Public Hours: Mon-Thu 1-4pm, Sat 11am-3pm 💌 Link in bio to join our mailing list! #orangecat #orangecatenergy #orangecatsofinstagram #orangecatsarethebest
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