06/04/2026
All. Of. This....
WHEN YOU CALL A RESCUER ABOUT A KITTEN...
Don’t Be Worthless.
Let’s start with this important fact:
I am not a rescue. I’m just a regular person who steps in when I see an animal in trouble — like so many others who can’t turn their back on suffering.
In fact, the cats and kittens are fortunate that a team of animal lovers and generous contributors helps me to help them. I am grateful for all their support and because of it more cats and kittens are saved. (And some dogs even though I don't do dogs.)
So let me explain what really happens when you call a rescue or someone like me about an animal in need.
The Cost of Caring Isn’t Just Emotional — It’s Financial.
In the animal rescue world, it’s fairly common for people to call rescuers expecting them to take in animals for free. No donation. No supplies. Just a request: “Can you help this animal?”
While this may seem normal or even generous on the part of the rescuer, the truth is this practice limits how many animals we can help. It places the greatest burden — emotional, physical, and financial — on the very people already doing the most.
You may think, “Well, they’re a rescue, that’s their job.” But here’s the reality:
The moment a rescuer agrees to take that kitten (or dog, or litter), they’re committing at least $200 per animal in veterinary care, food, vaccines, litter, and supplies — usually much more, and that is not even considering the value of their time.
They’re not only covering those costs out of their own pockets (often without reimbursement) or they are conducting time-consuming fundraising efforts begging and pleading for contributions, and they’re also sacrificing sleep, time with their families, and their mental health to do what YOU want done, but you didn’t do or couldn’t do.
You Saw It. You Cared. Now Step Up.
Yes, you noticed the animal in need — that matters. But once you call and hand it off, you move on with your life. You go back to your Starbucks latte, your evening plans, your bed.
Meanwhile, the rescuer is up at 3 AM bottle-feeding a kitten you wanted saved — wondering how they’re going to afford food for the other 20 animals in their care.
Do You Really Care? Prove It.
If you truly care about the animal you called about, then do more than only making the call.
Offer to help with costs — even $5 helps.
Ask your friends and family to chip in.
Share the story on social media and ask others to donate.
Offer to foster short-term. Deliver supplies. Help with transport. Help with gas money for the volunteer.
Even school kids sell candy bars to raise money for things that matter to them. You can do something to help the rescuer help the animal YOU want helped.
Let’s Talk Numbers
That mama cat and her 7 kittens you just dropped off? That’s about $1,600 in expenses — and that’s a low-end estimate.
Who’s supposed to cover that?
The person who’s already at their breaking point, trying to help dozens of other animals they were begged to take in?
The Hard Truth
If you call a rescuer, hand them an animal, and do nothing else, you’ve done the bare minimum — and maybe not even that.
Yes, I’m going to say it:
If you expect someone else to do all the work and pay all the costs to help an animal that YOU want helped — and you offer nothing — you’re being worthless.
You wanted to help? Then help.
Final Word
You don't need to be a vet or a rescue organization to make a difference. But if you're not willing to spend any time, money, or energy beyond a phone call, don’t pat yourself on the back for “helping.”
If you care about the animal, then be part of the solution — not just the person who passes the buck and walks away.
Don't be worthless.
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