our story

The TNR Collective was founded in May 2026 by Gem Aggabao. Although the organization is new, Gem's commitment to animal rescue and welfare spans nearly a decade.

Before founding The TNR Collective, Gem spent almost 10 years fostering more than 90 dogs and serving as a board member of Maeday Rescue. After stepping down from the organization in October 2024, she never imagined that her next chapter in rescue would revolve around cats.

In April 2025, while walking her dogs, Gem noticed a mother cat and her five kittens weaving in and out of an apartment crawlspace. It was the beginning of kitten season, and she knew that if nothing was done, that one family could quickly multiply. Left unchecked, dozens of kittens could be born by the end of the season, adding to an already overwhelming community cat population. 

A self-proclaimed dog person through and through, Gem had very little experience with Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and cats in general. She turned to the Nextdoor app and reached out to several local TNR groups and cat rescue organizations in search of help. Like many rescue organizations, they were stretched thin and unable to assist. 

Determined to make a difference, Gem began teaching herself everything she could about TNR. She talked to experienced trappers, researched humane trapping techniques, learned which equipment was needed, navigated the spay/neuter voucher system, and coordinated veterinary appointments. Armed with just two humane traps, she successfully trapped and sterilized 20 community cats in her neighborhood by the end of 2025. Working alongside local rescue partners, she also helped seven kittens leave life on the streets and find loving forever homes. 

That first year of TNR opened Gem's eyes to the challenges facing community cats and the people trying to help them. Los Angeles and the surrounding counties have an overwhelming number of unsterilized cats living outdoors. Animal shelters and rescue organizations are operating beyond capacity. Dedicated TNR volunteers often lack the funding, equipment, and support they need to make a lasting impact. Only a limited number of veterinarians participate in the spay/neuter voucher program, and the current reimbursement of $70 per cat is not enough to encourage broader participation. Meanwhile, colony caretakers frequently pay for food and medical care out of their own pockets, and community cats continue to be overlooked by much of the public. 

Drawing on her background in animal rescue, project management, and business, Gem founded The TNR Collective to help bridge these gaps. The organization exists to support TNR volunteers, strengthen partnerships, advocate for better resources, and improve the lives of community cats throughout Los Angeles and beyond. 

The TNR Collective may not be the first organization dedicated to this mission, but it is committed to building a stronger, more connected community where volunteers are supported, community cats are protected, and lasting change is possible.