🐾 Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc.™ Caring for the Forgotten. Protecting the Vulnerable.
🐾 WHO WE ARE 🐾
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.
A California nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our community through rescue, advocacy, education, and compassionate care.
Our organization was founded on a simple belief:
every animal deserves safety, dignity, and a chance to thrive.
Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc Mission
❤️ Our Mission
To prevent animal suffering and improve animal welfare through rescue, rehabilitation, education, community support, and responsible population management.
We work to create a community where animals are treated with compassion and where pet owners have access to resources that help keep animals healthy, safe, and loved.
WHO IS SCRUFFY?
SCRUFFY EVANS IS A PARADISE, Ca 2018 CAMPFIRE SURVIVOR & CAT HERO
The Story Behind Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.
Every great mission begins with one life that changes everything.
For us, that life was a homeless tomcat named Scruffy.
Before the devastating 2018 Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, California, Scruffy quietly lived in our neighborhood. We believe he was left behind after an elderly woman across the street passed away. She had cared for many cats, and although we thought they had all been taken, Scruffy somehow remained.
We couldn't bear the thought of him going hungry.
So we put out food.
What we didn't know was that one simple act of kindness would forever change our lives.
Scruffy began bringing other cats to us—mothers with tiny kittens, frightened strays, hungry feral cats, and those with nowhere else to turn. One by one they arrived, as if Scruffy knew our yard was a place where they would be safe.
He trusted us long before we ever realized he was teaching us our life's purpose.
Scruffy wasn't just another stray.
He was a protector.
A father.
A guardian.
He watched over generations of cats, defending them with unwavering courage. At every meal, he stood back and waited until every kitten, every mother, and every member of his family had eaten before taking a bite himself.
He always put everyone else first.
Then, on November 8, 2018, everything changed.
The Camp Fire—the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history at the time—consumed our town in just hours. Homes disappeared. Families were separated. Thousands of animals were left behind.
Scruffy lost almost everything.
Many of the cats he had spent years protecting never made it home.
Yet somehow...
Scruffy survived.
For 52 days, through ash-covered ruins, freezing nights, smoke, hunger, and unimaginable devastation, he remained in the burn zone.
We believe he stayed because he was waiting.
Waiting for his family.
Waiting for anyone who might still need him.
Waiting to know that his beloved Cali-Girl was safe.
When rescuers finally found him and we were able to bring him home in December 2018, he was exhausted. His body was failing, but his spirit had never broken.
For the first time in his life, Scruffy had a real home.
A warm bed.
Regular meals.
People who loved him.
Most importantly, he had Megan.
The bond between Scruffy and my daughter was immediate. It was as though they had been waiting for each other. He followed her everywhere, stole food whenever he thought no one was looking, curled up beside her for endless naps, and discovered that life as an indoor cat was everything he had deserved all along.
After years of surviving outside alone, he finally knew what it felt like to belong.
He spent the next two and a half years surrounded by love, comfort, and peace.
On April 10, 2021, Scruffy crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Although our hearts were broken, his legacy had already been written.
Scruffy showed us that love isn't measured by what we have.
It's measured by what we're willing to give.
He gave everything he had to cats that weren't his responsibility.
He protected the forgotten.
He cared for the abandoned.
He loved the unwanted.
He never asked for anything in return.
That is why Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. exists.
We believe every animal deserves what Scruffy finally found—a safe place, a full belly, compassionate care, and someone who refuses to give up on them.
Our mission extends beyond rescuing cats.
We are building a future where stray, feral, abandoned, neglected, and unwanted animals can heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. A place where frightened animals learn to trust again. Where the forgotten become family. Where every life is treated with dignity, compassion, and unconditional love.
Every cat we feed...
Every kitten we save...
Every frightened animal we comfort...
Every life we change...
...is a continuation of Scruffy's legacy.
He taught us that one act of kindness can save a life.
One life can inspire a mission.
And one homeless cat can change the world.
Scruffy may no longer walk beside us, but his heart lives on in every animal we rescue.
This sanctuary bears his name because every life we save is another chapter in the story he began.
Scruffy taught us that love is not measured by what we receive, but by what we give.
He gave everything he had to protect the forgotten.
Now, through Scruffy's Sanctuary, we promise to do the same.
For every stray. Every feral. Every abandoned. Every unwanted animal still waiting for someone to care.
This is his legacy. This is our promise ♥️
Sanctuary Means Safe! Our mission is not only to rescue animals today. Our vision is to help build a future where fewer animals ever need rescuing tomorrow.
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc
YOUR DONATION → THEIR CARE → COMMUNITY IMPACT → A STRONGER FUTURE
The animals we serve cannot ask for help themselves. Through compassion, community support, and responsible action, we can give them the care and protection they deserve. Together, we can build a safer future for the animals who depend on us."
Thank you for supporting Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. and helping us create lasting change for animals in our community. ❤️🐾
Join Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc in Making a Difference
Supporting Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc Means Supporting Your Community
🐱 WHAT WE CURRENTLY DO
*Community Cat Feeding Program
Many feral and community cats depend on consistent food sources to survive. We provide daily and weekly feeding support to managed colonies throughout our area.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
TNR is the most humane and effective method of reducing feral cat overpopulation.
Our volunteers:
✔ Humanely trap cats
✔ Transport them to spay/neuter appointments
✔ Provide recovery care
✔ Return healthy cats to their managed colonies
✔ Monitor colonies for future needs
*Medical Care & Treatment
We regularly provide:
- Veterinary examinations
- Vaccinations
- Flea and parasite treatment
- Treatment for injuries
- Eye infections
- Respiratory illnesses
- Skin conditions and allergies
- Emergency medical assistance
Many of these animals would otherwise suffer without intervention.
*Rescue & Rehabilitation
When possible, friendly and adoptable animals are removed from dangerous situations and provided with:
- Medical care
- Socialization
- Temporary sanctuary
- Placement assistance
*Community Education
We strive to educate the public about:
- Responsible pet ownership
- The importance of spaying and neutering
- Humane treatment of animals
- Resources available to pet owners facing hardship
All were TNR'd, tamed & adopted. Without our help these kittens would multiply several times a year.
We are not building a place simply to house animals. We are building a future where animals have somewhere to go, communities have somewhere to turn and lack of space is no longer the reason a life is lost.
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.
MEET THE EVANS FAMILY
The Family Behind Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.
The Fire That Changed Our Lives—But Not Our Values
Our Family. Our Community. Our Commitment.
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. may be a relatively new organization, but our commitment to animals is not new.
It is the continuation of a journey that began decades ago—a journey built on compassion, sacrifice, rescue, resilience, and an unwavering belief that animals deserve to be protected.
We are the
Our Family. Our Community. Our Commitment.
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. may be a relatively new organization, but our commitment to animals is not new.
It is the continuation of a journey that began decades ago—a journey built on compassion, sacrifice, rescue, resilience, and an unwavering belief that animals deserve to be protected.
We are the Evans family, longtime residents of Butte County and the Ridge. This is our home. This is our community. And helping animals has been part of our family long before Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. ever had a name.
Although Monica Evans is the founder of Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc., this mission has always been a family effort. Over the years, every member of our family has contributed—financially, physically, and emotionally—to helping animals in need.
We didn't become animal rescuers when we became an organization.
We created an organization because we had already spent so much of our lives helping animals.
The Fire That Changed Our Lives—But Not Our Values
The Fire That Changed Our Lives—But Not Our Values
When the 2018 Camp Fire destroyed our home, we experienced firsthand what it means to lose nearly everything.
But there was one thing the fire could not take from us:
Our commitment to our animals.
We saved as many animals as we could, including our four chickens and many cats.
For approximately six months, we experienced homelessness alongsi
When the 2018 Camp Fire destroyed our home, we experienced firsthand what it means to lose nearly everything.
But there was one thing the fire could not take from us:
Our commitment to our animals.
We saved as many animals as we could, including our four chickens and many cats.
For approximately six months, we experienced homelessness alongside the animals who had survived with us.
There were no easy answers.
There was no perfect place to go.
There was uncertainty about what the future would look like.
But there was never a moment when we considered giving up on them.
They were our family.
And family stays together.
That experience became part of the foundation for something we believe deeply today:
Sanctuary means safe.
Safety should not disappear when life becomes difficult.
Commitment should not end when caring becomes inconvenient.
And an animal should never lose everything simply because the humans around them are facing hardship.
And Then There Was Scruffy
Scruffy's story began before the fire.
He was a homeless community cat in our Paradise neighborhood—a father, protector, guardian, and survivor.
Our home became a place where Scruffy knew he could find safety.
After the Camp Fire, when so much of the world he had known was gone, Scruffy remained.
He survived.
And when he no longer had anyone e
Scruffy's story began before the fire.
He was a homeless community cat in our Paradise neighborhood—a father, protector, guardian, and survivor.
Our home became a place where Scruffy knew he could find safety.
After the Camp Fire, when so much of the world he had known was gone, Scruffy remained.
He survived.
And when he no longer had anyone else, we knew we could not give up on him.
Scruffy had spent so much of his life looking after his cat family. He was known for protecting them, watching over them, and making sure others could eat before he did.
When the time came for Scruffy to become part of our family, we knew what he needed from us:
Love.
Safety.
Patience.
And time.
As far as we know, Scruffy had never truly lived indoors before.
Learning to live inside wasn't always easy—and Scruffy certainly had a personality of his own. From his stubborn ways to stealing food right off our plates, he made sure we never forgot exactly who was in charge.
And we wouldn't have had it any other way.
After everything he had survived, Scruffy deserved to spend his remaining years knowing what it felt like to be completely safe.
To be warm.
To be protected.
To be spoiled.
And, most importantly, to be loved.
That is exactly what we tried to give him.
Scruffy's life had a profound impact on our family.
His strength inspired us.
His loyalty humbled us.
His survival reminded us how much animals can endure when they are given even the smallest chance.
His story deserves to be told.
His life deserves to be remembered.
And his legacy deserves to continue.
As a family, we have committed ourselves to making sure that it does.
That commitment became:
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.
We Are Not New to This Mission
We understand that Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. is a newer organization.
But we are not newcomers to Butte County.
We are not newcomers to the Ridge.
And we are certainly not newcomers to loving, protecting, feeding, rescuing, and caring for animals.
Our roots in this community go back decades.
Our commitment to animals existed long before we file
We understand that Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. is a newer organization.
But we are not newcomers to Butte County.
We are not newcomers to the Ridge.
And we are certainly not newcomers to loving, protecting, feeding, rescuing, and caring for animals.
Our roots in this community go back decades.
Our commitment to animals existed long before we filed paperwork, built a website, created a social media page, or imagined a permanent sanctuary.
We are local people who have experienced the challenges our community has faced because we lived through them, too.
We lost our home.
We experienced displacement.
We lived through the aftermath of one of the most devastating disasters our community has ever known.
And through it all, we continued caring for the animals who depended on us.
That is who we were before Scruffy's Sanctuary.
That is who we are today.
And that is who we intend to remain.
Built by Family, With a Commitment to Transparency
As of July 23, 2026, Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. has not received cash donations.
We are incredibly grateful to neighbors and community members who have helped with donated food and other resources, as well as organizations and individuals who have assisted with TNR efforts.
Beyond that support, our family has personally carried the financial
As of July 23, 2026, Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. has not received cash donations.
We are incredibly grateful to neighbors and community members who have helped with donated food and other resources, as well as organizations and individuals who have assisted with TNR efforts.
Beyond that support, our family has personally carried the financial and day-to-day responsibility of building this mission and caring for the animals we serve.
We share this not because we want recognition, but because we believe transparency matters.
Trust must be earned.
We know that.
We do not expect our community to trust us simply because we call ourselves a nonprofit or a sanctuary.
We want our actions to earn that trust.
We want people to see where we came from, what we are doing today, where we hope to go, and how resources entrusted to Scruffy's Sanctuary are used to help animals.
Our family is not building this organization for personal gain.
We are building it because we believe there is a need.
And because, after decades of helping animals with whatever we had available, we believe it is time to build something capable of helping even more.
Our Promise
We will strive to operate Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. with dignity, compassion, responsibility, transparency, and respect.
We will remember where we came from.
We will remain connected to the communities we serve.
We will listen.
We will learn.
We will work with others who share our commitment to animal welfare.
And we will never forget the animal
We will strive to operate Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc. with dignity, compassion, responsibility, transparency, and respect.
We will remember where we came from.
We will remain connected to the communities we serve.
We will listen.
We will learn.
We will work with others who share our commitment to animal welfare.
And we will never forget the animals who inspired us to keep going.
Our vision may be ambitious, but the heart behind it is simple:
Animals come first. Always.
Sanctuary means safe.
We dream of creating a future where animals in need have somewhere to turn—a place where safety is not temporary, compassion is not conditional, and an animal is never considered disposable simply because caring for them has become difficult.
Our ultimate mission is the promise that guides every step we take:
Never leave an animal behind.
This is more than the story of an organization.
It is the story of a family.
A family that loved animals before there was a sanctuary.
A family that rescued before there was a nonprofit.
A family that lost its home but refused to abandon the animals who depended on them.
And a family determined to turn decades of compassion—and the extraordinary legacy of one unforgettable cat named Scruffy—into something that can continue helping animals for generations to come.
We are the Evans family.
We are proud to call Butte County home.
And together, we are building Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.—one animal, one life, and one act of compassion at a time.
In honor of Scruffy.
In service to our community.
And for every animal still waiting for someone to say:
"You are safe now. We won't leave you behind."
Scruffy's Sanctuary Inc.
Animals Come First. Always.
Sanctuary Means Safe.
Never Leave an Animal Behind.
Monica Evans — Founder
Monica has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Her deep connection to animals and empathy for their suffering has been present throughout her entire life.
With more than two decades of hands-on rescue experience, she has spent years helping animals however she could—feeding the hungry, caring for the homeless, helping the injure
Monica has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Her deep connection to animals and empathy for their suffering has been present throughout her entire life.
With more than two decades of hands-on rescue experience, she has spent years helping animals however she could—feeding the hungry, caring for the homeless, helping the injured, protecting the vulnerable, and refusing to look away when an animal needed someone.
Monica moved to Butte County in late 1987 and has called the Ridge home since the early 1990s.
In 2018, the Camp Fire changed everything.
The Evans family lost their Paradise home of approximately 20 years, along with the life and stability they had built there. But even in the middle of unimaginable loss, their commitment to their animals never changed.
Their animals were family.
Giving up on them was never an option.
Thomas Evans — A Partner in Life and Rescue
Thomas and Monica have been spouses since December 15, 2001, but their partnership in caring for animals began long before Scruffy's Sanctuary existed.
Thomas moved to Butte County in 1995 and spent much of his life in Paradise, where many in the community may remember him as a former cook at Mikey's Bar & Grill.
Together, Monica and Thomas
Thomas and Monica have been spouses since December 15, 2001, but their partnership in caring for animals began long before Scruffy's Sanctuary existed.
Thomas moved to Butte County in 1995 and spent much of his life in Paradise, where many in the community may remember him as a former cook at Mikey's Bar & Grill.
Together, Monica and Thomas began their shared rescue journey with their first rescue together, MaryJane.
From that moment forward, helping animals became part of the life they built together.
Through good times, difficult times, financial challenges, and ultimately the devastation of the Camp Fire, Thomas has stood beside Monica and their family in caring for the animals who depended on them.
Megan Evans — Growing Up With Rescue
Jr. Evans — Born & Raised in the Ridge Community and Rescue
Jr. Evans — Born & Raised in the Ridge Community and Rescue
Megan grew up in Paradise and graduated from Paradise High School.
Her love for animals began early. She has been involved in helping with animal rescue since she was approximately five years old, growing up in a family where caring for an animal in need was simply part of everyday life.
Megan went on to earn two college degrees from Califo
Megan grew up in Paradise and graduated from Paradise High School.
Her love for animals began early. She has been involved in helping with animal rescue since she was approximately five years old, growing up in a family where caring for an animal in need was simply part of everyday life.
Megan went on to earn two college degrees from California State University, Chico, but no matter where life has taken her, her compassion for animals has remained an important part of who she is.
She represents the next generation of a family commitment that began long before Scruffy's Sanctuary became an official organization.
Jr. Evans — Born & Raised in the Ridge Community and Rescue
Jr. Evans — Born & Raised in the Ridge Community and Rescue
Jr. Evans — Born & Raised in the Ridge Community and Rescue
Jr. was born in Chico and grew up in Paradise, attending school there beginning with preschool at the age of three.
Paradise was his childhood home.
He spent years at the Paradise High School football field—not only watching from the bleachers as part of the band but later participating on the Flag Team, which was led by none other than his
Jr. was born in Chico and grew up in Paradise, attending school there beginning with preschool at the age of three.
Paradise was his childhood home.
He spent years at the Paradise High School football field—not only watching from the bleachers as part of the band but later participating on the Flag Team, which was led by none other than his sister, Megan.
Then came the Camp Fire.
Like so many young people from the Ridge, Jr. was forced to navigate the disruption, displacement, and emotional aftermath of losing his hometown as he knew it.
Despite those challenges, he continued forward and ultimately graduated on the Paradise High School football field—a place that had been part of so many chapters of his childhood.
Today, Jr. attends California State University, Chico, and is working toward graduating in the spring of 2027.
He, too, has grown up understanding that animals are family and that caring for them is a responsibility we do not abandon when circumstances become difficult.
Support Scruffy's Sanctuary Today!
The need in our community continues to grow.
Every month we face increasing costs for:
- Cat food
- Veterinary care
- Spay and neuter surgeries
- Medications
- Flea treatments
- Carriers and traps
- Transportation
- Emergency rescue expenses
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donation may be tax deductible.
Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc Future Depends on You
our hope for the future
Animal shelters and rescues across Butte County and Northern California work incredibly hard to save as many animals as possible through animal adoption initiatives. However, many animals fall into categories that make placement extremely difficult, such as senior animals, those with medical needs, abuse survivors, animals with behavioral trauma, and owner surrenders with nowhere to go. These animals often require something more than just temporary shelter; they need a sanctuary like Scruffy's Sanctuary, where they can be rescued, rehabilitated, re-homed and have a safe place to live the rest of their lives if that is what's required.
🌟 OUR FUTURE GOAL
To establish a permanent sanctuary where rescued animals can heal, recover, and live safely while receiving the care they deserve.
With community support, we can expand our programs and serve even more animals in need.
🎁 Most Needed Donations Food & Feeding Supplies
Food & Feeding Supplies
- Dry cat food
- Wet cat food
- Kitten food
- Feeding bowls
- Storage containers
Medical Supplies
- Flea treatment
- Dewormers
- Disposable gloves
- Gauze
- First aid supplies
- Recovery kennels
Rescue Equipment
- Humane traps
- Pet carriers
- Crates
- Trap covers
- Recovery cages
Cleaning Supplies
- Paper towels
- Laundry detergent
- Bleach
- Disinfectants
- Trash bags
Financial Donations
$25 Food for a colony of cats
$50 Flea treatment and basic medical supplies
$100 Vaccinations and wellness care
$150-$300 Spay or neuter surgery and recovery
ANY AMOUNT Emergency rescue and medical care
Our Vision for the Future
Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc. is dedicated to animal adoption, focusing on saving, rehabilitating, and caring for animals in need while engaging the community through education and outreach. Our sustainable financial model and long-term sanctuary care program ensure that no animal is left behind as we work to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home each one.
As Scruffy's Sanctuary grows, our goal is to establish a permanent sanctuary property where animals in need can receive long-term care, rehabilitation and a safe place to heal.
This future sanctuary would allow us to expand our rescue efforts and serve even more animals throughout our region.
Through strategic growth and compassionate leadership, we aim to be a pillar of animal welfare in Butte County and beyond.
🤝 How You Can Help
You can support Scruffy's Sanctuary by:
- Making a financial donation
- Donating supplies
- Sponsoring a feral cat colony
- Becoming a volunteer
- Fostering animals in need
- Hosting a donation drive
- Sharing our mission with others
- Partnering with us as a local business
Every contribution, no matter the size, directly impacts the lives of animals in our community.
🌈The animals we have lost continue to inspire the work we do every single day. Their stories will never be forgotten.🌈
TOGETHER WE CAN GIVE COMMUNITY CATS A HEALTHIER SAFER FUTURE
Why This Matters
Community cats are often overlooked, yet they are an important part of our neighborhoods.
Without intervention, cats continue to reproduce, suffer from preventable illnesses and face harsh living conditions.
Through responsible colony management, TNR, feeding programs and medical care, we can improve their quality of life while humanely reducing overpopulation.
Every donation directly impacts the animals we serve.
🐾 Scruffy’s Sanctuary Inc.™
Chico, CA, USA
🐾 Serving Butte County and Surrounding Areas 📧 scruffyssanctuaryinc@gmail.com 🌐 scruffyssanctuaryinc.org Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
