Who We Are

Formed in 1997, Cat Rescue, Inc is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit cat rescue group. Our mission: to transfer felines from shelters and find them homes; assist the community with ferals by providing eqpuipment, low cost vet referal, and trap/neuter/return info.

The majority of the cats we take in come from municipal animal shelters where these companion animals are in danger of being euthanized (average 70% euthanization rate). We take them in, place them with foster caregivers and see to their required needs such as vaccinations, ear-mite & flea treatment as well as spaying or neutering so they are ready for adoption.

Founded by Linda & Shawne Owen and Susan Temple, saving homeless cats began at the Norfolk Naval Station where stray and feral cats were considered pests, trapped, and euthanized. A process was started to domesticate the young, rehome the abandoned, and Trap Neuter Return the ferals (under the charge of a caretaker).

Cat Rescue, Inc. has averaged 400 to 600 adoptions annually since 2004. We are one of the highest adoption agencies in Hampton Road. All of this accomplished with an all volunteer organization, no paid salaries, and no public facility. For detailed information on the annual IRS info submitted by all 501(c)3 organizations go to www.guidestar.com. For information on each shelter, pound, and home based rescues annual intake and disposition of the animals that came to them go to www.vdacs.virginia.gov, "Regulatory Services", "Animal Health and Welfare", "Annual Reports from Pounds  Shelters".

In recent years, our mission has continued, but our methods have changed somewhat. Even with 20,000 companion pets being euthanized annually in our area, we understand that shelters can't euthanize enough cats to stem the flow nor adopt out enough to get ahead of the hundreds of six month and older mothers putting out two litters a year from one to 8 kittens. Most people get their pets as strays, not from shelters or rescues. The only cure is to make available low to no cost spay/neuter to everyone and get private vets involved. Hampton Roads has the highest concentration of low cost clinics in Virginia. Go to www.awchr.org to see a list of all the clinics and other regional information. 

We are working towards the day when every cat has a home of it's own and euthanasia is no longer the means used to control animal overpopulation.

Frequently Asked Questions
Cat Rescue, Inc. members are all volunteers.  We receive many different questions ranging from our day-to-day operations to complex cat-behavior questions.
While we can't answer every possible question, there are some that our members frequently hear and the answers have been posted here.
If there is a specific question you have regarding our operation that is not listed here, please feel free to Contact Us

Why won't Cat Rescue, Inc. adopt a cat that is not spayed or neutered?
Animal overpopulation isn't just a problem, it is a crisis!  As a result, over 20,000 companion animals are euthanized in Hampton Roads each year.
By spaying and neutering every cat that we adopt, we are preventing more animals from being born who will add to the areas already high euthanasia rate.

Does Cat Rescue, Inc. euthanize animals that cannot be adopted?
No!  As a No-Kill animal rescue group, we do not euthanize cats simply because we cannot find a home for them.
We continue to care for these animals until the right adoptive family comes along.  Some cats may stay with us for only a few weeks, others have stayed for years.
We don't euthanize cats unless debilitating illness leaves us no other humane alternative.

Does Cat Rescue, Inc. take in every cat brought to you?
Unfortunately, we simply do not have the resources that would allow us to take every cat that needs our help.  Instead, we enlist the help of those who bring cats to us to assist by fostering the cat and helping us find them a new home.

So what do I do with a cat if Cat Rescue, Inc can't help?
We can help you find low-cost vaccinations, spay and neuter services and offer advice on how to re-home an animal that you want to help; www.norfolk.craigslist.org, placing pictures/stories at vet offices and pet stores.
We believe that if all you can do is help one cat, you can make a world of difference for that cat.

Does Cat Rescue, Inc. ever need volunteers?
Always!  As a small group, we always have need of good people who would like to help us continue our work in the community.
Whatever area you desire to provide help, chances are Cat Rescue, Inc. can use you and will appreciate your help!
Check out our Volunteer Page to find out how you can help.

Does Cat Rescue, Inc. do anything about stray or feral cats?
We help callers with expertise, traps, cages, carriers, vet appointments.  Many of these cats will never be suitable for adoption, but we can break the cycle of illness, disease and more homeless cats being born.

Where does Cat Rescue, Inc. get cats from?  
Our cats come from death row at animal shelters and callers whom we call rescuers that join the Cat Rescue process. This process involves the caller helping. It takes a community, no individual and no organization can do it all.

If I adopt a cat from you and it doesn't work out, what do I do?
Contact us and we will do everything that we can to help you work through any issues that your new cat may be experiencing.
If we can't resolve the problems, you can return the cat to us.