Founded in 2001, Orange County Animal Rescue Coalition (OCARC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit which functions exclusively for charitable purposes. OCARC is 100% volunteer driven and organized specifically to promote humane treatment and quality of life for all animals, rescue animals in need, reduce overpopulation, and provide adoption services.
OCARC is deeply committed to ending the pet overpopulation crisis. We aim to forever end the vast disparity between homeless cats and adoptive homes. We spay and neuter every single cat we put up for adoption – and always will.
A few more things about us…
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We rescue exclusively from overcrowded, high-kill shelters. We are unable to take in owner surrendered animals or found strays.
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We are application-based, meaning we require a completed application from all potential adopters. Our first responsibility is ensuring a permanent, lifelong match for our rescued cats and kittens.
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We rely entirely on donations from the public. The required adoption donation for each of our rescued cats and kittens only covers a portion of the costs our organization incurs for medical expenses and supplies. We host various fundraisers throughout the year to raise additional funds. We are also thankful to PetSmart for providing food and litter for our cats and kittens residing in the store adoption center.
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We are forever grateful to our dedicated and selfless group of volunteers. They keep our group running and give so much time, love, and energy to the cats and kittens we rescue.
How it all Started
Fran Moore
April 16, 1942 – June 20, 2019
Fran Moore, the longtime director and co-founder of the nonprofit Orange County Animal Rescue Coalition (OCARC), has passed away.
Moore co-founded the OCARC in 2001 with Marty Suesberry, Lorretta Laslo and Bonnie Arita. The two volunteered for more than 12 years at the Irvine Animal Care Center before starting the nonprofit. The organization rescues kittens and cats from animal shelters, socializing them and nursing them to good health. The cats then pass to new owners through local adoption events.
In a 2005 interview, Moore said she hoped that OCARC would one day go out of business, hopeful that someday there would be no kittens needing rescue or cats facing euthanasia in overcrowded shelters. Of course, she said she knew that dream would never come true and the task of rescuing cats and uniting them with happy families would forever be needed.
With Fran at the helm, OCARC has saved over 3,800 cats’ lives to date.
