> At a Glance
> – Helen Woodward Animal Center placed every adoptable cat into homes by New Year’s Day
> – 23 cats found families during the final holiday weekend
> – 1,400+ cats and kittens were adopted throughout 2025
> – Why it matters: A rare “cleared cattery” signals shifting public favor toward feline adoption
Cats claimed the spotlight at Helen Woodward Animal Center, where not a single adoptable cat remained by the final day of 2025. The Rancho Santa Fe facility wrapped the year with a celebratory empty cattery after a last-minute flurry of adoptions.
Holiday Weekend Rush
The New Year’s holiday proved lucky for the center’s final 23 feline residents, all of whom left for permanent homes before the decorations came down.
> Kendall Schulz, Adoption Services director, noted:
>
> “We’re not sure what is changing the tides for cat adoptions at the Center… starting last year we began having record-days for cats.”
Staff used to celebrate when dog adoptions outpaced cats; now the script has flipped.
A Record-Breaking Year
The center’s 2025 tallies show a dramatic surge in feline adoptions:
- More than 1,400 cats and kittens passed through the facility
- Every single animal was placed in a forever home
- Several single-day records favored cats over dogs for the first time
Schulz jokes that the pro-cat shift has made the staff “very smug.”
What’s Next
The organization will continue hosting animal-friendly events such as a Mardi Gras parade and the July PAWmicon. Details on programs and upcoming celebrations will be posted on the center’s website.
Key Takeaways
- Helen Woodward Animal Center achieved a rare “zero adoptable cats” status on Jan 1
- The turnaround began last year when cat adoptions started breaking daily records
- Over 1,400 cats found homes in 2025, surpassing previous years
For cat lovers, the empty cattery marks a heartwarming end to the holiday season and a hopeful sign for homeless felines everywhere.
