Wildhorse Foundation helps cats hitch a ride
By Terry Murry on Monday, April 20th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Cat Utopia is the recipient of a $12,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation. The money will be used to purchase a used transport van. The van will be used to transport shelter animals and trapped community cats to low-cost spay/neuter clinics throughout Umatilla County including the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Cat Utopia President Cindy Spiess estimates that the van will allow the organization to move approximately 600 trapped cats to spay and neuter clinics each year. It will also assist in transporting dogs and cats from local shelters in the Pendleton area and support field operations across both Umatilla and Morrow counties.
“The overarching impact of these efforts is a meaningful reduction in the overpopulation of dogs and cats in our county,” Spiess said.
Cat Utopia partners with shelters and Petco stores in larger metropolitan areas to place animals in permanent homes. Last year alone, Cat Utopia reports it rescued 828 cats from the streets and placing them in homes.
Photo provided by Cat Utopia
