West Hollywood has never been shy about putting its money where its values are when it comes to animals. This is a City that became the first in the nation to ban the sale of fur, the first in North America to ban cat declawing, and in 2024 the first city in the United States to ban the retail sale of all live animals. The City has even elected Pet Mayors. First there was Chloe, a rescue dog, and most recently, Shadrach, a cat born under a guava tree in West LA who became WeHo’s first-ever feline mayor. Animal welfare isn’t just something WeHo residents feel good about. It’s something they’ve actually done something about.
So here’s what we’re doing. Every week, WEHOonline will spotlight an animal in this community who needs a home. We’re calling it WeHo Rescue Me. Could be a shelter. Could be a rescue. Could be your neighbor’s situation that got complicated fast. Cats, dogs, whatever needs help. We’re just doing our small part to help connect animals in need with people who have room in their lives and heart for one more. We pride ourselves on giving voice to all residents, including our furry ones.
First Up: West Hollywood Community Cats
West Hollywood Community Cats has been running the City’s Trap-Neuter-Return program since 2023 — the boots-on-the-ground effort to humanely manage the stray and feral cat population in WeHo. Renee Sotile and Mary Jo Godges, both longtime WeHo residents, built this thing from scratch after realizing the City had absolutely nothing in place to deal with community cats. No local services, no structure. They pushed the City Council until that changed. The program launched in May 2023 and now offers free spay/neuter through the Amanda Foundation. Renee told WEHOonline “in a little over 2 years we’ve fixed and or found homes for 125 cats/kittens.”
The Council eventually honored them both with an official Community Cats Day.
They are not a rescue, “we’re simply 2 residents who care about our community cats. Unfortunately, we don’t have a place to hold cats very long” Sotile told us.
I’ll go a step further. They’re two really good people doing really tough work. And right now they need help placing a cat.
This Week’s WeHo Rescue Me
This little guy turned up on Genesee Ave. Somebody’s pet, most likely abandoned, and way too friendly for street life. The wounds on his face and body made that obvious fast. West Hollywood Community Cats got him neutered and tested — negative for both FeLV and FIV. He’s healthy. He just can’t go back outside. This guy walks up to strangers. He doesn’t stand a chance out there.
He just needs one person to say yes. Maybe that person is you, or someone you know.
West Hollywood has passed laws, built programs, and elected a Pet Mayor. None of that matters much to this little guy. He’s fixed, tested, and ready. He just needs one person with a spare key, an open lap, and a door for him to walk through. If that person could be you or if you know of someone who could provide a home for him then please — contact West Hollywood Community Cats at WestHollywoodCommunityCats@gmail.com.
I applaud WeHoOnline for this much-needed awareness and visibility program. Further, I worship MJ and Renee for their tireless and selfless commitment to the cause of community cats. They represent the core of what community means. Thank you WeHoOnline and bravo to MJ and Renee! As someone who has adopted four rescues into our home over the years, my personal gratitude is unlimited.