Our Founder

Karen J. McGranahan

I have been an animal lover and cat and dog owner since childhood. I got involved by financially supporting numerous animal agencies for over 25 years and support many to this day.

To learn more about Karen and the Bikini Beach Cat Rescue story keep reading or watch her interview on Inside Out with Diane DeVaughn Stokes ⇒

My Start in Cat/Kitten Welfare

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Karen J. McGranahan

In my teen years, I worked for a riding academy, where I learned about horse care, illnesses and training, and went to many horse shows over the four years there. I then went off to college to complete my education.

When I moved to South Carolina, there was a group of community (feral) cats at the end of our street, which I trapped and had them fixed. I volunteered for a local cat shelter, was on the board, and took care of more than 500 cats and kittens at the shelter. One of my responsibilities was to answer the phone; over time I realized how big a problem community cats were and realized something more needed to be done.

The Beginning of Bikini Beach Cat Rescue

So Bikini Beach Cat Rescue was started to offer residents a low-cost spay/neuter option; we now have two weekly clinics for residents to prevent kittens from being born. Another key component still was needed: TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), a proven program that works by reducing cat numbers through natural attrition. When they cannot reproduce, no more kittens are born to take their place.

Bikini Beach Cat Rescue was incorporated in 2011 as a non-profit organization with the mission of providing low-cost spay/neuter clinics in this area; we now have two weekly clinics available. We received our 501 (c) 3 status from the IRS in 2012 and are tax-exempt, so all donations are tax-deductible to you. All funds raised goes towards these reduced low-cost spay/neuter clinics for cats and kittens.

By preventing kittens from being born into an unknown future, we ultimately reduce the unwanted breeding of cats and kittens and the resultant shelter intake. The sad fact: kittens that haven’t even been conceived this year will die next year unless we can stop this breeding cycle.

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We also do some targeted TNR programs with volunteers and grant money and do fundraisers to offer everyone subsidized low-cost spay/neuter clinics throughout the year. With your support, we can make a difference and stop healthy, adoptable cats from euthanasia. It doesn't matter that their deaths are 'painless', what matters is that their deaths are 'pointless'.

As Helen Keller said: "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." Your donations help us do the "something"?