The Straygency

12/09/2025

Meet Caballito - our beautiful calico girl who started her life outdoors, surviving on her own until a very kind woman discovered one of her newborn babies under her porch. Soon after, she found Caballito nearby in a wooden box — still in labor and doing her best to protect her tiny family. She reached out for help immediately, and that’s how this sweet little trio came into our rescue.

Caballito safely delivered 2 perfect babies, raised them with all the love in the world (even taking on some other orphaned babies!), and has now completed her vetting and spay. With her mama duties officially behind her, she is ready to retire from outdoor life and step into the role she deserves: indoor queen. 👑💕

She’s estimated to be around 3 years old and is still learning that humans can be trusted, but she adores head scratches and gentle pets once she feels comfortable. She definitely has a bit of “RBF” charm (😆), but don’t let that fool you — she’s a sweet, tender-hearted girl who has survived so much and is finally ready to relax and be loved.

Caballito would absolutely thrive in a home with another friendly feline, though she is content being the only child as well. She just needs a patient adopter who understands that trust takes time — and that the love she gives in return is absolutely worth it.

If you’re looking for a gentle, resilient, beautiful kitty to adore, Caballito is ready to begin her new chapter.
She deserves nothing less than the very best after everything she’s been through.

Apply to adopt at www.thestraygency.com 💗

12/08/2025

Despite the heartbreak of losing a kitten last night, we want to share a reminder of why we keep going.
Both Milo and Rome found INCREDIBLE homes last week! Milo was adopted through us, and Rome was adopted through our amazing partners at Hero’s Haven after being fostered by us.
These are the moments that carry us through the hard days. We’re so thankful for every helping hand and every happy ending. 💛

12/08/2025

Tonight our hearts are in pieces. Despite every effort, our tiny orange baby didn’t make it. Losing one is something we never get used to, no matter how many times we’re called to try. It hurts every single time.

We want to take a moment to thank our incredible partner and friend, Critter Crusaders. In the middle of crisis and heartbreak, they stand right beside us—fighting just as hard, caring just as deeply. We’re endlessly grateful for them.

It’s never easy to share suffering, and we never like asking for donations. But we do it because we are operating from the softest, most compassionate parts of our hearts. We do it because these little lives matter. And thanks to the kindness of those who donated, he was given a chance, warmth, and love in his final hours. That means something.

We always hope for a happy ending… but sometimes all we can hold onto is that he wasn’t alone. Someone cared enough to pick up the phone and ask for help. We had an amazing partner to jump into action with us. And there are good, generous people who believe in this work and help us try.

Thank you, truly, to everyone who showed up for him. Even in heartbreak, your kindness reminds us why we keep fighting. 🧡

12/08/2025

UPDATE ON LITTLE ORANGE BABY

This tiny baby is fighting harder than any kitten should ever have to. He’s been diagnosed with severe hypoglycemia and suspected bilateral pneumonia. The moment he’s out of the oxygen kennel, his oxygen saturation drops dangerously low.

Because of Critter Crusaders, he’s able to stay overnight at Blue Pearl in an oxygen kennel receiving round-the-clock care. This is his only chance. And we’re giving him every bit of it.

I try so hard not to get attached to cases… but this one hit me like a brick to the face. It’s been a long, exhausting few months, and I’ve kept it together through the neglected, the lost, the sick, the unwanted. Tonight, the first real breakdown arrived. So, I come to you from the parking lot of Blue Pearl where I’m currently trying to pull my s**t together. Please, if you can spare a few dollars, donate to Critter Crusaders. The work they are doing to help animals is SO needed and SO appreciated, especially by me tonight! https://www.crittercrusaderscr.org/donate

12/07/2025

This morning we got a call about a tiny, hypothermic 7-week-old kitten in desperate need of help. He’s currently on his way to Blue Pearl to be assessed, with the incredible support of Critter Crusaders.
We don’t yet know what the road ahead looks like for him, but we do know this: he deserves every chance.
If you’re able to help us cover his emergency care, donations can be made here: https://www.crittercrusaderscr.org/donate
Every dollar truly makes a difference. Thank you for helping us fight for the ones who can’t.

Donate to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids and help provide life-saving medical care to homeless and neglected animals in Eastern Iowa. Your support makes a difference. Give today and be a hero for animals in need.

12/07/2025

⚠️ Operational Update:

Subject: Breakfast Delay
Reason: Bellini has repurposed the serving tray as a playground.
Estimated Resolution Time: Unknown. She’s a tortie.

12/06/2025

As always, thanks for having us! 😻😻😻

Its Everyday Pets sponsored by John's Automotive Service with our friends from The Straygency who brought 3 adorable kittens ready for their forever home!

12/03/2025

🥶Frigid temps are brutal for outdoor cats!

Please help keep them safe! ⬇️

🐾Build or Improve Winter Shelters
• Use insulated tote shelters, Styrofoam coolers, or wood boxes.
• If you have a spot to plug in, use a pre-built heated cat house (Amazon, Chewy)
• Raise the shelter off the ground a few inches to prevent heat loss.
• Straw ONLY for bedding (never blankets, towels, or hay — they trap moisture and freeze).
• Add a vinyl flap or heavy plastic over the entrance to block wind.

🐾Keep water from freezing
• Use heated water bowls if you can.
• Otherwise, place bowls inside the shelter or in a sunny, sheltered spot.
• Use deep, wide bowls instead of metal (metal freezes faster).

🐾Cold weather = higher calorie burn.
• Offer extra dry food and high-calorie wet food if possible.
• Try feeding at regular times so cats know when to expect food.
• Place food near shelters but not inside to avoid attracting wildlife.

🐾Spayed/neutered cats:
• Stay healthier
• Wander less
• Are more likely to remain close to safe shelters

‼️Tap your hood before starting your car!

Every small act saves lives! ❄️🐾

12/02/2025

We know why you stopped scrolling — 👀
KITTENS.
It’s the “Use the Cute to Get Them to Read” tactic😼

SO —— It’s Giving Tuesday, which means this is your annual reminder that:
✨ Kittens are expensive (trust me, we ran the numbers)
✨ Feral cats have zero respect for our bank account
✨ Formula costs approximately one million dollars
✨ And The Straygency is held together by caffeine, chaos, and the kindness of this community.

Thankfully, we have an incredible partner in Hero’s Haven — they help us stay sane, save lives, and survive the wild world of rescue.

If you love us, love cats, or love the idea of preventing 900 unwanted kittens next year…
Donate to The Straygency and/or Hero's Haven Animal Rescue on this Giving Tuesday.
We promise to use it responsibly (unlike the cats).

Donation links & Amazon lists:

www.thestraygency.com

https://heroshavenanimalrescue.rescuegroups.org/

Venmo:



-Haven

Support the mission that gave these babies and so many others a chance 🫶🏼

12/01/2025

Poppy has officially been promoted! 👑
Once a sassy scared girl surviving in the streets, to now being an absolute darling queen in her new home.
Poppy has been adopted and is getting the princess treatment she always deserved 💗

Cheers to the life ahead, sweet girl. We’re so proud of you.

11/26/2025

Bellini discovered the heat vent and, in true tortie fashion, immediately entered her ‘I’m smarter than everyone here’ era. 😇