Cat Rescue

Although I'm a purebred and came from a breeder, I think cat rescues are one of the best places in the world! After all, Boodie came from a rescue group - the Amanda Foundation. It galls me that people think of cats as disposable items - true, it's not like we're people... we're better than people, so we should be treasured! The sites below are for cat rescue agencies all over the world. Some specialize in certain breeds, others take in any cat they can. If you're looking for a cat and don't completely have your heart set on a purebred, I recommend that you visit your local shelter first. If that's too much for you to bear (and it shouldn't be - you could be saving a life, you know), then visit your local cat rescue. You may even see it listed below!

	Amanda Foundation I had to mention this one first 'cause of Boodie. It's Los Angeles based, and they rescue cats - and dogs - from the pound, where they would most likely have been euthanized. Occasionally, like in Boodie's case, they sort of happen onto a cat, but mostly the animals you'll find there are pound rescues. The Amanda Foundation gets a lot of support from the entertainment industry because of their location, but they could always use more donations - and even more, people who want to adopt a pet.
	Feline Rescue Network This is basically an all-purpose site for cat rescue. You'll find a directory of rescue organizations (including both domestic and purebred cats), facts about cats and cat care, links to catteries, a message board and an animal rights advocacy page. A big site with lots of information!
	Petfinder Thousands of cats needing homes are listed here. They also list dogs, rabbits, birds, horses and just about any other pet you could imagine. The database is searchable according to zip code, and you can also find shelters and rescue groups in the United States and much of Canada.
	A Safe Haven for Cats Safe Haven is located in Redwood City, California and specializes in rescuing abandoned and feral kittens. They update their site on Thursdays so you can see any new kittens that have come through their doors. You can also view their success stories, learn about spaying and neutering and why feral cat colonies exist. And, if you ever wind up rescuing a kitten yourself, you'll find detailed instructions on how to care for it, even if it's a newborn.
	Animals in Distress Sanctuary These two British-based sanctuaries rescue animals who have been abandoned or abused, found as strays, or picked up from road accidents. They care for the sick and injured and adopt them out when they've mended. They also have a Retirement Home for older animals. These people do incredible work and they just don't get enough donations through their website, so please stop by and help them out!
	Alley Cat Rescue The site for this Maryland-based organization has a lot of great resources, including, a long list of cat rescue and feral cat groups from many parts of the U.S.
	Toronto Cat Rescue If you live in the Toronto area, here are the people you want to contact if you would like to adopt a cat. See pictures of their rescues on their website, where you can also find information about their adoption events.
	Siamese Rescue My human thinks Siamese cats rule - they're incredibly smart (in fact, almost as smart as us Somali cats), loyal, and love to talk to you. A Siamese cat, or a Siamese mix, should never, ever wind up in a shelter - they take it much harder than many other breeds. But unfortunately, sometimes they do. This site is the internet home for Siamese rescue organizations in four states - California, Kansas, Texas and Virginia. Find out about the Siamese breed here, learn about adoptions and, most importantly, find out how you can support this organization's rescue efforts.
	Persian & Himalayan Cat Rescue Persians are real designer cats, but even they need to be rescued sometimes. This organization serves northern California and the San Francisco Bay area, and their rescues come from shelters and vets only. They're very careful about placing their cats in a suitable environment.
	Cat Rescue of Maryland This Baltimore-based organization specializes in working with feral cat colonies, but they do have some cats, kittens and dogs available for adoption - check out the photos on their website!
	The Cat Network These people have been rescuing cats and kittens in and around the St. Louis, MO area since 1991. More than half their rescues come from shelters where they would likely have been euthanized. Find out about adoptions, events, volunteering, and the no-kill shelter they are working on building.
	Feral Cat Alliance The feral cat problem is a serious one - in Los Angeles County alone, there may be as many as 4 million feral cats. The best way to deal with them, it has been discovered, is to trap, spay or neuter them, and return them to their old haunts. In the areas where this is done, cat euthanasia has been reduced by 30 to 60 percent. The Feral Cat Alliance in Los Angeles is working hard to bring this solution to as many areas as possible.