We were lucky to catch up with Christine Hubbard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Christine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I never set out to start a nonprofit—I just wanted to help a few cats in my neighborhood who had no one else looking out for them. What began as one act of compassion quickly became a calling. I started trapping, getting them fixed, and returning them to their colonies. But it didn’t take long to realize how big the need was—and how few resources existed for feral and community cats in North County San Diego.

At first, it was just me, a few traps, and a lot of determination. I spent evenings researching TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs, connecting with other rescuers, and calling clinics to find affordable spay/neuter options. I filled out nonprofit paperwork late at night, designed our first logo at my kitchen table, and built a simple website to spread the word. My garage became a supply hub—stacks of cat food, traps, and towels everywhere.

The next months were filled with trial and error—learning how to fundraise, how to work with veterinarians, how to build a volunteer network, and how to say “no” when I couldn’t take on more. There were times I doubted whether I could keep up. But every time I saw a cat safely returned, or a once-feral kitten find a home, it reminded me why I started.

Slowly, LYFF grew from an idea into an organization. We built partnerships with local clinics, trained volunteers, hosted adoption events, and created new programs like our barn cat placement initiative. It wasn’t just about rescuing cats—it was about creating a sustainable, humane solution for an entire community.

Looking back, LYFF started with one person and one simple belief: every cat deserves a chance. Everything that came after—our volunteers, our donors, our clinic partnerships—was built on that foundation of compassion and persistence.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Christine Hubbard, Founder and President of Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF), a nonprofit organization based in North County San Diego dedicated to improving the lives of cats.

My journey into animal rescue wasn’t planned — it was personal. Years ago, I found myself caring for a small colony of feral cats near my home. I wanted to help, but quickly realized there were few resources for community cats and even fewer people willing to step in. What began as one person trying to make a difference grew into an organization that has since helped thousands of cats and inspired countless others to get involved.

At LYFF, we believe in compassion paired with action. Our programs focus on giving every cat — whether feral, abandoned, or forgotten — a chance at a better life. Through TNR, we humanely trap, spay/neuter, and return feral cats to their colonies, breaking the cycle of overpopulation. For friendly strays or kittens, our adoption program finds loving homes. And for cats who cannot safely return to the streets, our barn cat program gives them new purpose as working cats in barns, warehouses, and stables.

What sets us apart is our deep commitment to community education and hands-on support. We don’t just rescue cats — we empower people to be part of the solution. Whether it’s teaching someone how to trap safely, providing food and supplies for colony caregivers, or partnering with local veterinarians to expand access to spay/neuter services, LYFF is built on teamwork, heart, and sustainability.

I’m most proud of how far we’ve come from humble beginnings — from traps stored in my garage to a thriving network of volunteers, fosters, and supporters across Southern California. We’ve become a trusted resource for shelters, vet clinics, and everyday people who care deeply about cats but just need a little guidance and support.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about LYFF, it’s that we believe every life matters — even the ones hiding in the shadows. Our mission is rooted in compassion, education, and the belief that one small act of kindness can ripple outward to change an entire community.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met Melissa Dunaj, our Vice President and Executive Director, years ago through the local shelter where she worked. From the very beginning, it was clear that we shared the same passion for saving cats and giving them a second chance at life. Together, we built an incredible partnership — working side by side to save thousands of cats and kittens through collaboration, dedication, and a shared belief that every life matters.

After several years at the shelter, Melissa made the decision to leave her position and bring her expertise to Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF) full-time. She was instrumental in helping LYFF grow beyond its original TNR roots by launching our foster and adoption program, which has since become one of the cornerstones of our organization.

Melissa’s compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment have helped shape LYFF into what it is today. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed all those years ago — what started as a collaboration has grown into a lifelong mission and friendship centered around saving lives.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments in our journey came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practically overnight, shelters shut down, veterinary access became limited, and the rescue community faced challenges we had never seen before. For many organizations, operations came to a standstill — but for us, stopping simply wasn’t an option. There were still cats out there who needed help.

Instead of giving up, we fought back harder. We got creative, stretched every resource, and refused to let the crisis stop our life-saving work. That period tested every ounce of resilience and determination we had, but it also pushed us to grow in ways we never imagined.

It was during that time that we made one of our boldest decisions — to open our own LYFF facility. We wanted a safe, reliable space where we could continue rescuing, housing, and caring for cats no matter what was happening in the world. It was a leap of faith, but it changed everything. That decision allowed us to save more lives than ever before and strengthened our organization for the future.

Looking back, COVID could have been the end of our story — instead, it became the turning point that proved just how strong and determined our team really is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loveyourferalfelines.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveyourferalfelines/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loveyourferalfelines
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveYourFeralFelines