10/21/2026
348 CATS SAVED IN ONE YEAR! 🐾🎉
(Read below for our full story and behind-the-scenes reality!)
🚨 QUICK EVENT INFO: Come support us at Jack's in Arab on Oct 28th (5pm-8pm)! Jack's is donating 10% of sales between 5pm to 8pm to KITCR and we'll be accepting food, litter, and monetary donations!
I'm absolutely blown away!
Last year, Kitties In The City Rescue rescued 348 cats and kittens! That is something to be endlessly proud of. According to statistics, small foster-based rescues operating solely on donations and volunteers typically save between 50 and 150 cats a year, which is already wonderful. Somehow, though, we’ve more than doubled that—and it’s entirely because we have such an incredible community and the most dedicated volunteer team members on earth.
After Valerie and I went through our year-end invoices and paperwork, seeing those numbers became super emotional. I honestly never dreamed we achieved that much. My goodness, the days go by so fast!
Those long 18-hour days—hitting the floor early, working past midnight, trapping in brutally cold temps with high winds or sticky, humid summers—all before coming home to care for more babies, running errands to fosters, hauling carloads of cats to vets, fielding endless phone calls, vetting applications, planning events, answering 20+ emails a day, and crying on the phone to my mom or friends at night while working my side jobs... it all feels like a whirlwind.
Carrying heavy loads of litter, cases of food, tube feeding kittens, giving fluids, bottle feeding, cleaning p**p explosions, feeding colonies, and wondering how to get through the next day is a life that is hard to describe but those in rescue understands.
Feeling amazing because you saved a baby who was right on the brink.
Feeling the purest love from a cat that never knew what love was before your interaction.
The excitement of seeing recovering cats reach incredible milestones.
Watching cats fight for their lives and survive, now living their absolute best life.
...And then, the heartbreaks of goodbyes. The sorrow you feel when you desperately want to help more, but know there simply aren't enough hours in the day or funds to say yes. The anger from cleaning up other people's neglect. Questioning your ability when people let you down and shatter your trust.
Then, the greatest people you never expected step up and come through in ways that bring hope & relief. Calling my vet to learn I have a zero balance or being able to bring my account to a zero balance. Then the ones who show up alongside you every single day without fail. For running a whole event by yourselves.
Late-night talks with my dear friend who runs her own organization and understands the insane amount of pressure. Giving me advice that gets me through the next hard situation (thank you, Kay at Marshall County Animal Advocates ❤️). Crying and begging my husband to be understanding just one more time!
348 rescues come with so much behind the scenes, so many amazing people, and unfortunately a lot of cold hearted people and this isn't even a fraction of a deep dive—it's just a small peek. Each call, each application, each cat and kitten, each foster, volunteer, pet store, transport, and vet visit... they all have a purpose! The emotions, finances, time, and the people you surround yourself with make these miracles possible.
Thank You to Our Rescue Family 🐾
I have so many people to thank for believing in us and helping every single step of the way:
Our Donors: First and foremost, the monetary donations! Without your support, we wouldn't have fosters or be able to pay vet bills because we simply couldn't take in cats and kittens. If you've contributed, you really and truly are our backbone! Thank you!
Our Foster Moms: The heroes who don't get enough praise. We have all felt burnt out, yet our foster moms keep saying yes even when they desperately need a break.
Our Colony Feeders: Who brave every season and weather condition without fail—transporting to vets and hutches, helping at events, and showing up to clean and care for our cats every single day. You know who you are, and I know I can always count on you!
Our Event Crafters: A huge thank you to those who have helped handmake items for us to sell at our events!
Our Supporters & Adopters: For being wonderful cat people, adopting, and donating items, food, pet beds, scratch-proof gloves, and supplies. I see each of you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The Reality Behind the Scenes:
My heart is overfilled with joy knowing 348 lives in one year have been forever changed. But in reality, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of calls and messages we get. I’ve had to say no far more often than yes because we simply don't have endless resources.
I’ve been cussed at, called names, and mocked by people when I reply, "I'm sorry, we cannot help by way of intake." (Even though I always share a list of other resources.) Deep down, of course I want to blast them, but that takes focus off our mission. It’s critical we stay 100% focused on saving lives and don't get sidetracked by what doesn't matter.
Just yesterday, I started early and was out trapping before daylight looking for an injured cat in Guntersville. Outside of that, we had four other cats seen at the vet in a single day. One had drool all down his jaw and bloody paws; it turned out he had stomatitis, pillow foot, and feline leukemia. Sadly, sweet Felix crossed the rainbow bridge, and I cried to my mom for two hours because it never stops hurting. He was originally a true feral who turned into a total sweetheart—one I had cared for for years. The medication I was giving him just wasn't working anymore, and now I know why. Thankfully, he passed with dignity, wrapped in love, and won't have to suffer or freeze in miserable pain this winter.
That wasn't a happy rescue story, but if you follow our page, you’ve seen cats like Trooper, Skipper (aka Peanut), Amara, Noelle, Chester, Petunia, Hope, Gabriel, and so many more get their second chance at life! I may not be the best at keeping posts rolling on social media every day, but I promise you, the work never stops!
Thank you all for the love and support that made those 348 rescues possible. We want to keep helping these sweet souls, and we need your help to keep going!
Upcoming Fundraisers 🍔🛍️
Jack's in Arab – October 28th (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM): That’s in just 8 days! Jack's is generously giving us 10% of their sales between 5 to 8. We will also be accepting monetary donations, cat food, and supplies like litter. It would mean the world to see the faces of the community who help make this possible. Mark it on your calendars!
Belk in Guntersville – Next Month: Details coming soon, but you’re going to love the deals!
