Seven Lifetimes of Rescue. One Official Mission.
If you asked any one of us when we started helping cats, we couldn’t give you a single date. For most of us, it started decades ago—rescuing a stray kitten in an alley, bottle-feeding a litter found in a shed, or digging into our own pockets to get a neighborhood "community cat" fixed.
Individually, we have spent our entire lives as the "cat ladies" and "quiet rescuers" of Bakersfield. But we looked around and realized that while our individual efforts were heart-led, the feral cat explosion in Kern County was outrunning us. It was time to make it official. We formed The Whisker Project of Kern to turn our lifelong personal passions into a professional, organized strike team. We’re done just "helping out"—we’re here to change the system through aggressive TNR, community education, and real partnerships.
Meet the Team
The faces behind the traps (L to R):
Traci: Our TNR Coordinator. She has "ninja-level" trapping skills and hasn't met a feral colony she couldn't outsmart.
Cheri: Our Marketing Whiz. She handles our marketing and makes sure people actually hear our story.
Diana: Our President & Fundraising Guru. She’s the visionary making sure we have the resources to keep the traps clicking.
Tina: Our Community Outreach heart. You'll see her at our events, building relationships and bringing people together to fund this mission.
Linda: Our Volunteer Director. You’ll find her keeping our amazing team of helpers organized and inspired.
Connie: Our Treasurer and IT Director. She ensures every penny is spent wisely and our systems stay "purring."
CJ: Our ‘Yoda.’ She’s been doing this forever and keeps us all sane with her wisdom.
Why We Need You
We are seven real people who decided that "doing our part" individually wasn't enough anymore. We’ve stepped up to tackle the unwanted euthanasia and the cycle of neglect in our city, but we can't do it alone.
Whether you’ve been a "quiet rescuer" your whole life like us, or you’re just looking for a way to give back to Bakersfield—we have a spot for you.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To our supporters and fellow animal lovers: Thank you. We are tired, we are busy, and we are more determined than ever. Because of you, the Whisker Project of Kern is turning a lifetime of "trying to help" into a future of real results.