Our Story

About Los Gatos del Barrio

My name is Aurora Martinez, and I’m the founder of Los Gatos del Barrio—a grassroots nonprofit based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, dedicated to supporting the compassionate individuals who care for community (feral) cats. What began as a personal mission to help the cats in my own neighborhood has grown into a small but growing effort to uplift both the animals and the people who care for them.

How It Started

My journey began unintentionally, with a few feral cats who started visiting my yard. I began feeding them, and as the colder months approached, I became increasingly concerned about their safety and comfort. I started providing outdoor shelters—some I built myself, others I purchased—to help protect them from the elements. What started with just a few cats quickly grew to nearly twenty within a year.

I’ve continued to care for these cats, providing food and shelter entirely out of my own pocket. Along the way, I discovered that I wasn’t alone—others in Santa Fe were quietly doing the same in their own neighborhoods. These connections inspired me to think about how we could do more, together.

Our Mission

Los Gatos del Barrio—which means The Neighborhood Cats—was created to support and empower community cat caregivers, whom we call Guardianes de los Gatos. Our mission is to provide essential resources like food, outdoor shelters, and support to those who care for feral cats, often at their own expense.

By helping these caregivers, we not only improve the lives of the cats—they’re healthier, safer, and less likely to reproduce unchecked—but we also strengthen our neighborhoods. Community cat care fosters compassion, responsibility, and connection among neighbors.

What We Do

• Provide food and shelter supplies to local caregivers.

• Distribute and donate outdoor shelters, both handmade and purchased.

• Build a network of support where caregivers can share advice, encouragement, and resources.

• Raise awareness about humane community cat care and the importance of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return).

• Engage with the community to promote kindness, responsibility, and shared stewardship of our environment.

Our Vision

While we currently serve Santa Fe, my hope is to expand Los Gatos del Barrio into other cities in the future. I envision a growing network of caregivers and supporters who are empowered to care for community cats with the resources and encouragement they need.

How You Can Help

As a nonprofit, Los Gatos del Barrio relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and volunteers. Your support helps us provide vital supplies and build a stronger, more compassionate community for both the cats and the people who care for them.

Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word, you’re helping us make a difference—one cat, one caregiver, and one neighborhood at a time.