About

Lifesaving in Las Vegas

Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources to both cats and people in our community.

Our History

Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions (Homeward Bound) was founded in 2007 as a foster-based rescue focused on finding homes for cats. For nearly 12 years, this small organization relied exclusively on volunteers to care for cats and complete adoptions at PetSmart and Petco stores. In 2019, Homeward Bound received funding to open its Flamingo Adoption Center and embarked on a transition from this foster-based structure. The 2,400 square foot facility allowed Homeward Bound to care for more cats and increase adoptions by providing a modern, free-roaming space to minimize stress, serve the individual needs of each cat, and set up both cats and adopters for success. To date, Homeward Bound has saved over 8,000 cats, including 850 cats in 2022.

Lifesaving Approach

Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources to both cats and people in our community.

As a first priority, we strive to provide counseling, information, and access to services to keep cats in their homes and with the people who love them.

However, if cats cannot stay with their families or in their neighborhoods, we take great pride in providing a safe and caring placement program for cats who need us most. We prioritize our intake on cats most at risk – owned cats in need of rehoming; kittens who need specialized care; and cats who have been abandoned, are sick or injured, or are not thriving in the community.

We are committed to ensuring the highest level of attention and care for cats in accordance with the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare and industry best practices; where each policy, procedure, and decision is based on compassion, the best available science, and the best interest and welfare of each cat.

We also focus on positively impacting the lives of our volunteers, employees, guests, and community members by cultivating a collaborative environment based on respect and a non-judgmental approach to services.

With a holistic approach to providing the right support to fill resource gaps in our community, keeping cats with those who love them, and caring for and finding appropriate placement for cats that truly need rehoming, Homeward Bound maximizes feline lifesaving and improves the lives of our community’s people and cats.

Meet the Team

Christi Dineff
Executive Director

Christi came to Homeward Bound with an extensive background in animal welfare, particularly focusing on feline lifesaving. Working professionally in animal shelters for nearly a decade (and longer in a volunteer capacity), Christi spent five years with The Animal Foundation, the largest, single-site, open admission shelter in the country. As Director of Lifesaving Programs, she oversaw all positive placements and feline programs, reducing feline euthanasia 71% in achieving the organization’s Mission: Possible 2020 to save the lives of all healthy and treatable animals entering their care. With a keen understanding of the needs of people and cats in Southern Nevada, Christi is excited to bring animal welfare industry best practices to Homeward Bound and collaborate closely within the community to maximize resources to best support cats and people.

Melissa Flack
Animal Operations Manager

As a licensed veterinary technician, Melissa brings comprehensive knowledge of cat care and medicine to Homeward Bound. As the former manager of a guest service department and an animal resource center, Melissa also has great skill in supporting both people and cats. She is just what Homeward Bound needs as we work to address resource and support gaps in our community.

Leona Grim
Community Support & Services Manager

With a background in animal welfare and guest services, Leona brings a unique skill set in providing support and building relationships with community members in need of assistance. Managing Homeward Bound’s Community Support and Services, she focuses on people – providing information and resources to keep cats with the people who love them, supporting adoptions by providing a respectful and a non-judgmental approach to guest services, and cultivating a highly trained and integrated volunteer team to best serve the needs of both people and cats.

Board of Directors

  • Mark Brandenburg, President
  • Joseph Liebman, Vice President
  • Kasefera Gunter, Secretary

Join the Team

Homeward Bound is dedicated to providing support and resources to both cats and people in our community. We focus on positively impacting the lives of our team members, volunteers, guests, and community members by cultivating a collaborative environment based on respect and a non-judgmental approach to support and services.
We do not have any employment openings at this time.

Want to join our Volunteer and/or Foster Teams?

Learn more

Partners and Supporters

We appreciate the generous support of our Partners, who help us save cats and serve the people who love them every day.

Veterinary Services Providers:

Adoption Partners

Grant Partners

Supplies

In the news

Events

Welcome to Poorly Drawn Pets!

From March 15 through April 1, if you donate at least $20 to Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions, a special team of volunteer artists will draw your pet – all to raise funds for a good cause! The catch? Homeward Bound is much better at caring for cats than their artwork—so you may get an amazing piece of art, or you may get a fuzzy stick figure sketch!

Read More »

By the Numbers

Thanks to the amazing support of our community, Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions has the ability to positively impact the lives of thousands of people and cats.
PROGRAM DATA 2022

VOLUNTEERS CAN DO ANYTHING

Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions is a volunteer-driven organization, which means that the care of our cats as well as raising awareness for what we do entirely depends on people like you. We would not exist without volunteers.

Volunteer