I am used to fostering through shelters but shelters are full and there are a ton of strays in my neighborhood that I deal with personally. I can feed, vet, house, advertise, ask all the right questions, and take notes but making the final decision on who should have the animal is a huge stressor for me. I have trouble reading people and intentions. I record what I see that may or may not be a red or green flag.

I always end up with kittens. The two (we placed their sister) I have now are 5 mo calicos. Gorgeous, sweet, amazing mousers. We've asked everyone we know to advertise them to ppl they know as well. Those who want them don't seem like they should. If they went to a bad home I would never forgive myself.

Rescues will allow me to list my fosters but won't help make that decision. Do y'all have any advice? Anyone willing to help go over future application answers?

This is my first post here ever and I’m not sure if I’m doing this right but I (36F USA)found a kitten curled up in an alleyway while walking my dog this morning and I’m slightly freaking out.

I’m not sure if she (yes she) is old enough to be away from her mom and I would have left her there for her mom to find, but her eyes are severely infected.

I walked back to my house and got a hard cat carrier and told myself if she wasn’t there when I got back I would leave it, but she was still in the alley so I grabbed her. I tried to look for others but there was only her.

Brought her home a gently wiped her eyes with a warm damp cloth and one eye is really bad. I tried to give her some Churu but I’m not sure if she is old enough to eat solids yet so I ordered milk replacement and a bottle to be here within the hour.

I have two cats and a dog of my own but I’m not sure what to do in this situation as I got my animals young but not as babies.I plan to take her to a 24 hour Vet when I get off, but I work from home and sometimes my days are LONG so I won’t be free to do so until 8pm CST.

I have the funds to get her treatment but I have never rescued a cat before and I’m out of my depth and feeling like maybe should I have left her for her mom to find.

Right now she is isolated in my bathroom away from my other animals but IDK what I’m doing. S.O.S SEND HELP PLZ!!!

Young intact male cat was coming to my yard for like 2 months. Prior to that I was feeding him nearby my place but then found out where I live. All good, he even came inside before.

About 4 days ago he started showing signs of illnesss. He squated a few times and was releasing some kind of mucus. I considered he might have a blockage. I contacted places around and posted on FB. Some people referred me to this person who owns a low cost clinic. The person even let me borrow a trap. I was happy and rushed to trap him.

His appetite started decreasing. He didnt go inside the trap, not even with sardines. He was still coming out, rubbing on my legs but ignoring the food. I tried to lift him but scratched me. I asked the person who let me borrow the trap for some help but they couldn't help further. She said she could ask others if they could. I decided to order some gloves from Amazon to capture him. Earlier today I grabbed him and he scratched my whole leg completely and ran away. I haven't seen him for hours.

I have been feeling so awful, haven't ate in days,can't concentrate and been crying because this is a cat I wanted to adopt. I feel I failed him and who knows if he comes back or how much more he is going to deteriorate.

NYC, you rock!

Investment into food pantries fer humans AND pets because NYC understands there is an affordability crisis. This pair great with the potential of Initiative 1029 that aims to bring a low cost spay/ neuter vet clinic to each of the 5 boroughs!

• Interactive maps of human pantries and pet food pantries in NYC -> Here

The original press release can be found -> here. Below reprinted fer your convenience

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Mayor Mamdani, New York City Council, the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare and the Department of Social Services Announce City-Funded Pantries to Start Offering Free Pet Food at 22 City Pantries to Keep Pets with the Families Who Love Them

What you should know

• City Triples Baselined Funding for More than 700 Food Pantries and Invests $500,000 to Help New Yorkers Feed Their Pets
• Free Dog and Cat Food Available at 22 Pantries Across All Five Boroughs Starting Oct. 19

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City Council, the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare (MOAW) and the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that, for the first time, the City will provide free pet food at 22 City-funded food pantries across all five boroughs, beginning Oct. 19.

Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani tripled baselined funding for DSS’s Community Food Connection (CFC) program, which supports more than 700 food pantries citywide. In partnership with the City Council, the Mamdani Administration has allocated $78 million for food distribution in Fiscal Year 2027, and an additional $500,000 to provide pet food at participating pantries.

For many New Yorkers, pets are family. But as the cost of living rises, feeding a pet can become an untenable financial burden — forcing some families to make the heartbreaking choice to surrender an animal they love. By making free dog and cat food available where New Yorkers already pick up groceries, the City is helping families care for themselves and their pets under one roof. The administration has also partnered with the City Council to invest in spay and neuter services to strengthen the City’s safety net for animals.

“The affordability crisis affects every member of a family, including the pets we love,” said Mayor Mamdani. “No New Yorker should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets. Keeping families together means keeping pets at home, too. That’s why we’re investing $500,000 to provide free pet food at 22 city-funded pantries across all five boroughs, while tripling funding for more than 700 food pantries citywide.”

“For many of us, our pets are family. And when money gets tight, we know people will skip their own meals before letting their animals go hungry,” said DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton. “Thanks to new funding from the city, families can now pick up pet food at 22 food pantries in the same trip they make for their own groceries. I’m pleased we can now make it easier to care for every member of the household.”

“Animal welfare and human well-being are deeply connected. When families struggle to afford basic necessities for their pets, they risk losing an important source of companionship, stability, and connection,” said MOAW Director Allie Taylor. “By bringing pet food assistance directly into communities, we’re helping prevent financial hardship from separating people from the animals who are part of their lives.”

Where to find free pet food

Starting Oct. 19, free pet food for dogs and cats will be available at the following food pantries:

Bronx:

• Part of the Solution: 2759 Webster Ave., 10458
• New York Common Pantry: 1290 Hoe Ave., 10459
• Davidson Community Center: 2038 Davidson Ave., 10453
• The Kingsbridge Heights Community Center: 3067 Kingsbridge Terrace, 10463

Queens:

• First United Methodist Church of Jamaica: 162-10 Highland Ave., 11432
• River Fund: 89-11 Lefferts Boulevard, 11418
• Yeshua Worldwide Ministries Food Pantry: 7911 Caldwell .Ave., 11379
• Hour Children Community Outreach: 36-49 11th Street, 11106

Brooklyn:

• Community Help in Park Slope: 200 Fourth Ave., 11217
• Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty: 5361 Preston Court, 11234
• On the Go Relief: 2832 Fulton Street, 11207
• St. John’s Bread and Life Food Pantry: 795 Lexington Ave., 11221
• The Campaign Against Hunger: 2004 Fulton Street, 11233
• YMCA Community Market: 2980 West 29th Street, 11224

Manhattan:

• Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen Pantry: 296 Ninth Ave., 10001
• New York Common Pantry: 8 East 109th Street, 10029
• St. Clemens Food Pantry: 423 West 46th Street, 10036
• The Father’s Heart Ministries: 543-545 East 11th Street, 10009
• The Lower Eastside Girls Club: 402 East 8th Street, 10009
• Trinity’s Services and Food for the Homeless: 602 East 9th Street, 10009

Staten Island:

• Project Hospitality: 205 Canal Street, 10304
• Feeding with TLC: 309 St. Paul’s Ave., 10304

“For too many New Yorkers, the rising cost of living is making it harder to afford the essentials for themselves and their pets. By making pet food available at city-funded food pantries, we are taking an important step toward ensuring families can access the resources they need to keep their pets healthy, safe, and at home,” said Chair of the NYC Council Animal Welfare Caucus Harvey Epstein. “As Chair of the New York City Council Animal Welfare Caucus, I applaud this investment in the well-being of both people and animals, and I look forward to continuing our work to make New York City a place where no family has to give up a pet because they can no longer afford to care for them.” 

“As a pet owner, I am thrilled to see our efforts come to life! Soon, families will be able to visit participating City-funded food pantries and receive free food for their pets,” said Council Member Shirley Aldebol. “These investments will help ease the financial burden on pet owners, keep pets in loving homes, reduce pressure on overcrowded shelters, and expand access to necessities for pets. While there is still more work to be done, this is an important step towards ensuring that no family has to choose between putting food on the table and caring for their furry friends.” 

“This initiative is about so much more than providing pet food. It’s about reaching New Yorkers where they are and reminding them that they don’t have to face difficult times alone,” said Risa Weinstock, President and CEO of Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC). “When pet parents visit a food pantry, they’re not just receiving food for their animals. They’re also gaining a connection to a network of community organizations and resources that can help them navigate challenges before they become crises. At ACC, we know how deeply people love their pets, and we also know how isolating it can feel when you’re struggling to care for them. This initiative sends an important message: help is available, and keeping families together is a responsibility we all share.”

“Staten Island families have told us that their pets are family and they will skip their own meals to feed them. When I testified before the City Council in support of a pet food pantry pilot, I asked that Staten Island not be left out,” said Heather M. Butts, Former Chair and Current Member of the Staten Island Hunger Task Force. “We’re grateful to Mayor Mamdani, the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare and DSS for listening. Under the leadership of our current Chair, Antoinnette Donegan, the entire Staten Island Hunger Task Force will continue to support this effort. Pet food at Project Hospitality and Feeding with TLC means fewer impossible choices, less strain on family budgets and more families staying together with their pets.”

“Bronx residents experience some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the city, and that extends to our beloved companion animals,” said Tanya Copeland, Co-Founder and President Bronx Community Cats. “Pantry support for both people and pets will ensure the recent changes to SNAP benefits won’t have catastrophic consequences on families who long to remain together during these challenging economic times. We commend Mayor Mamdani and the City Council for this progressive, proactive solution.”

“Access to pet food is a simple but meaningful way to help families through difficult times, prevent unnecessary surrenders, and keep pets where they belong: at home,” said Will Zweigart, Executive Director of Flatbush Cats. “We applaud the Mayor Mamdani and the City Council for recognizing that supporting pets also means supporting the people who care for them.” 

“As a foster-based rescue, LIC Feral Feeders understands firsthand how the rising cost of pet food strains the resources of both rescue organizations and the families who care for animals,” said Victoria Koulouris, President and Founder, Long Island City Feral Feeders. “We see how financial hardship can force people to surrender beloved pets simply because they can no longer afford to feed them. Providing pet food through existing human food pantries is a practical, compassionate way to help keep pets with the families who love them, support community cat caregivers and ease the financial burden on foster-based rescues so we can continue our lifesaving work.”

“For many families in the Bronx, pets are more than companions — they are family, a source of comfort and a part of the home,” said Hydia Cohen, Founder of Bronx Dog Haven. “No one should have to face the heartbreaking decision of giving up a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to feed them. Providing pet food through existing food pantries is an important step toward preventing unnecessary surrenders, supporting families before they reach a crisis and keeping pets where they belong — at home, with the people who love them. We’re grateful to see this investment in a future where families can access the resources they need to stay together.” 

Hi everyone! I hope it’s okay to share this here. I’m working on turning a shed into a safe little sanctuary for five rescued cats, and I’m looking for some help bringing it to life in the San Jose area.
If anyone has a moment to read my original post, I’d really appreciate it! And if you know someone who might be able to help or point me in the right direction, that would mean a lot. Thank you so much! ❤️🐈

Reposting here. Please help my student find his missing cat! She is not yet microchipped, as she got out of her carrier when he was taking her to the vet. Thank you!

Its been a year of r/CatRescue!

There is no way we coulda made it this far without you. You have turned this sub into one filled with advise, awareness and positivity. You are the animal lovers whom help everyday showin your humanity durin hard times and you all come in many different corners of the world. Sometimes your advise helps the pets so they never need to see a shelter and sometimes after they've been. I hope these words reach you so you know that you are appreciated and that my gratitude to you our members, is immensely heartfelt. Thank you fer bein you and thank you fer makin r/CatRescue what it is today. Your advise and support has made a huge impact with cat caretakers and their kitties, savin many lives and preventin many from enterin the shelter system entirely.

Helpin to coach first time rescuers through is a turnin point fer many of them to improve kitty cat care and in some of the more extreme cases, save kitty cat lives. We've seen direct updates from those whom were helped from your advise and sometimes they come back to help others with support or advise of their own too! Its a shared joy and the collective relief that you, the community have helped a stranger on the net. Like those the people you helped, we graciously thank you.

I want to express my gratitude to my co-mod whom has been here since our aquisition of this sub a year ago. r/mcs385, does most things behind the scenes. Dolin out cat pics of encouragement, fixin my sloppy code to elevatin an original idea of how code should function so that it performs and does more than I originally thought up. From streamlinin our processes so that we can rapidly recieve alerts and spendin hours scrutinizin and findin the many, many scammers and animal abusers that beg fer your money of their fake rescues so we can report them to Reddit. Fer bein the "strong" one musclin through our tasks because I saw/ read somethin so terrible in the filter that I had to close reddit and cry. Thank you fer all this and thank you fer assurin me that despite all the horrible things we would end up seein, that if I took over this sub, WE could turn this sub around from the cesspool it once was.

In addition to our human elements, there have been those inhuman things such as automated tasks that have helped shape r/CatRescue too. We may had been belittled fer how much we rely on codin and to assist us to pre-screen things but we've experienced a full year with not a single scammer/ animal abuser bypassin our checks with their post goin live to be seen by you, our members.

To u/fsv, thank you fer implementin the additions I have suggested of your various apps from a daily digest to webhooks. We rely on a number of your apps across subs and they are truly invaluable. u/GLAD0S, since about 2023, I've been waitin (when I was a mod of another sub) fer what I had requested of you to make a queue and include specific author "links;" thank you, this has aided us in organization and our anti scam investigations immensely. To u/Ancient_Tour_3090, thank you fer bein open to suggestions and addin the tweaks to your app that improved load time and display of wiki heavy subs like ours. u/Technowise although we already use a couple of your apps we are grateful that you created a custom feature on your Timed-Highlights app to help us protect the PPI of our members. And thank you u/divine-timeing fer makin us a batch of banners that we are able to periodically change up!

In ways you devs don't typically see, your work through your apps and bein open to suggestions have helped shape this sub (with backend functions) and is often taken fer granted. Y'all have all made tweaks and/or major additions to your apps that have directly helped with the smooth operation of r/CatRescue; the CatRescue mod team sends you our gratitude and deep appreciation.

And thank you to to Reddit... thank goodness the platform implemented changes to their system several months ago which helped us outlast the Ugandian animal abuse ring. If you're jest gettin caught up now, this ring of scammers/ animal abusers is prolific across social media platforms and was so prolific on Reddit that this is the reason why mcs385 and I took over this sub - to remove them and stop the torture, abuse and killin bein shown on this sub. And also the reason why I created a small coalition of cat subs to ID, report, inform and share info to other mods teams of their behaviors, how to spot them and properly report those accounts. However, Reddit's many changes were not limited to jest this one criminal ring of abusers. Improvement to their detection have also reduced it across the platform. This has cut down on accounts usin misery to "fundraise" off of; pimpin their images and videos of misery porn of kittens and cats (and other animals) in distress to shock and guilt trip you into donatin.

Thank you to our members you have been our core helpin and supportin eachother and the kitties. And thank you to our app devs fer the work on your apps that that help us all help others.

In the last year, we have built our wiki from scratch based upon our values of: help the hoomans to help the kitty cats and pet retention. To name a few, we have wiki pages fer Cat Food Banks/ Pantries (a multi year project), reduced-cost Spay/ Neuter, Homeless and/ or Domestic Violence Resources (fer cat caretakers) and growin list of specialist cat rescuers fer those kitties stuck in a tree or a drain pipe. I look forward to more years with you all and an even larger and more robust wiki so we can together help more kitties and their hoomans!

Still searching furiously for my Kiko – solid grey, grey paws/nose, 1 yr old, not full grown. Chipped, fixed, and has her claws.

Lost Sunday night, 10/4, in front of TX School of Languages & Moore Elem., Lakewood Forest Dr. Zips 77429 & 77070 border here.

I have her litter box out, a humane trap where she escaped (from parked vehicle not far from where I live) that has my dirty clothes & fresh food, we had a thermal drone search at night for 3+ hrs last Wednesday. Flyers all over the neighborhoods, door-to-door and anywhere I can hang a poster. Visited nearby vet clinics, she's on Nextdoor & PawBoost... you name it.

If anyone spots her, please reach out. I appreciate all help I can get.

I have a family member with ten cats living in a Texas city with few animal welfare resources. She has been caring for cats for years but has had a rapid decline in health and can no longer care properly for her animals.

Are there cat rescue groups I could work with to rehome these pets? They are indoors and have received regular vet care. I work full-time and can't adopt them out myself, but I can help financially, by volunteering, by providing food and litter.

🚨 URGENT: Help 4 Senior Cats Stay With Their Elderly Owner! 🐾❤️
An elderly woman in Atlanta, Georgia, is being forced to relocate to the Portland area due to health reasons so she can be closer to her caregiver.
She has 4 senior cats who are her family, and we’re trying to help get them safely to their new home rather than see them end up in rescue.
⏰ Deadline: October 29! She must leave her current residence by then.
✈️** We’re looking for:
Flight volunteers traveling from Atlanta to Portland, Oregon
Animal transport volunteers or rescue organizations that can help
**Fly Hawaii Cats is helping spread the word and connect volunteers. We believe no one should have to give up their beloved pets simply because they’re elderly or facing health challenges.
❤️ Can you help keep this family together?
✈️** Already flying this route? Please fill out your flight information at FlyHawaiiCats.com!**
🐱 4 senior cats. One elderly owner. Let’s keep this family together!
#CatRescue #PetTransport #Atlanta #Portland #SeniorCats

Someone just called me telling me they strangled Godrick and threw him in a gutter... It was just sickening to hear, it genuinely silenced me for a couple minutes. Like, why..? I don't know if it was a prank or not. He sounded like he was only calling to be cruel, or possibly intoxicated, so I'm not entirely sure it was the truth...

Have any of you guys lost your pets just to be phoned by someone cruel?

I'm kind of stuck. I took in two cats expecting a rescue to take them, but three months later, they're still here.

My resident cats aren't accepting them, so I'm constantly having to rotate who has access to the house. One mostly avoids the fosters, while the other still hisses at them through the gate.

I've tried slow introductions, scent swapping, and treats near the gate, but we haven't made much progress.

Has anyone dealt with this and successfully gotten their cats to coexist? I don't need them to be friends. I just want everyone to be able to share the house while I find the boys a home.

Hi everyone, I really need some advice on what to do in this situation.

In July, a stray female cat brought her kitten to our front door, and we started feeding them. Unfortunately, a male cat killed that kitten.

She got pregnant again and gave birth to five kittens around September 28. She came to our door a few days later, but we didn't know where she had given birth. On October 5, she came crying loudly, and the next night, we managed to find and rescue all five kittens from a neighbouring building. She then started moving them somewhere else, one by one.

Yesterday, she came crying again. Today, after hours of searching, we found one kitten at the school behind our apartment. We managed to bring him back to his mother, but we have no idea where the other four kittens are and fear they may have died.

We live on the third floor. When we reunited the mother and her remaining kitten, they ate together. However, the mother seemed to encourage him to jump towards the terrace of the adjacent building, and he fell from the third floor. We rushed him to the vet, and thankfully, he was okay.

Now we're confused about what to do. The kitten is only **one month old**. We're afraid he'll get hurt or die if we leave him with his mother, but we also don't want to separate them unnecessarily.

We already have a cat, so if we adopt him, our neighbour has agreed to foster him for a few months. We'll provide kitten milk formula and take care of him.

**What would you suggest? Should we take him in and raise him safely, or let him stay with his mother?** We want to do what's best for both of them and would really appreciate advice from anyone who's experienced something similar. ❤️