Meet Christine Harte | Founder and Guardian of the Snips!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine Harte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Catsnippers Los Angeles grew out of a shared understanding within our community: we all want the best for our pets, but caring for them can be overwhelming without support. We know we can’t adopt our way out of the animal overpopulation crisis, so we’re coming together to make a real difference. Catsnippers provides affordable spay and neuter services and pet food assistance to help families through tough times. When our community supports one another, pets stay healthy, families stay together, and we all thrive. Catsnippers is here to make that support possible—neighbor to neighbor, pet to pet.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Launching Catsnippers was far from simple. We officially launched in the middle of the pandemic, a time when supplies were scarce, services were delayed, and every step forward required creative problem-solving. Providing support to both people and pets while maintaining strict social-distancing protocols meant taking on an extraordinary amount of work—much of it on my own.

Yet those early challenges revealed something invaluable. In the midst of uncertainty, the friends who consistently showed up stood out unmistakably. Their support didn’t just help keep Catsnippers afloat; it proved they were committed allies for the long haul. I am so thankful to Eastwood Ranch and Alison Eastwood who took in dozens of Catsnippers rescues from various emergency situations.
Having a shelter partner has proved invaluable, and allows us to take action quickly when we need housing for at risk cats.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends are in town, I’m all about giving them the full Los Angeles experience. We usually start with a drive up the coast, stopping in Malibu, Santa Barbara, and Carmel for a few days to soak in the sweeping ocean views and enjoy the smaller, more rustic spots for food along the way. Once we’re back in LA, the itinerary shifts to culture and local favorites: a visit to the Getty Museum, a stroll through The Huntington Gardens, and dinner at my favorite restaurant, LA Bruschetta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When Catsnippers officially became a 501(c)(3), I knew I needed guidance from someone who truly understood the challenges facing our community’s pets and their families. That’s when I reached out to Dr. Joey Vasquez of North Figueroa Animal Hospital. For decades, Dr. Vasquez has been a champion of spay and neuter services, dedicating his practice to providing quality care at prices families can afford. His long-standing commitment has made him a cornerstone of our community’s animal welfare efforts.

Dr. Vasquez’s mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of Catsnippers. He generously shared his knowledge, offered unwavering encouragement, and helped me navigate the complexities of expanding our services. Through his guidance, I reached out to rescue groups whose values align with ours— Brad Smulsen of Operation Blankets of Love has been an incredible part of our journey, and essential to the job we do every week. OBOL supplies us with so much of the food and materials we need to make our work possible, and keep the most vulnerable healthy and safe.

Catsnippers is stronger because of leaders like Dr. Vasquez, and Operation Blankets of Love, whose dedication continues to inspire our mission and the communities we serve.

Website: https://Catsnippers.com

Instagram: @Catsnippers

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Christine.harte.90

Other: @sincerelychristineharte

Image Credits
Obol paws, Eastwood Ranch, Dr.Joey Vasquez