Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue

Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue “OW Kitten Rescue” was formed in 2021 out of the grassroots efforts of friends & neighbors concerned about the feral cat population in Old Wethersfield.
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In 2022, we organized as a 501(c)3 non-profit serving the needs of Wethersfield & bordering towns. Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue was formed out of the grassroots efforts of friends & neighbors who were concerned about the feral cat population in Old Wethersfield, CT. We began our rescue efforts during the summer of 2021, when we noticed several kittens playing in an elderly neighbor's bac

k yard. As a result, we quickly recruited the efforts of family & friends and began the process of trapping 18 kittens along with neutering & releasing several female cats back to their original territories. These efforts were featured in an article by The Hartford Courant, "Old Wethersfield Community Comes Together To Rescue Stray Cats", published November 17th, 2021. Through this process, we were able to recruit several local residents who helped foster & socialize kittens while they waited to be adopted. We also secured the ongoing support from Double A Veterinary Hospital in Wethersfield, CT, where kittens receive initial wellness assessments and medical treatment for any illness common to feral kittens, as well as secured the ongoing support of Pieper Veterinary Hospital, Middletown, CT, who provide emergency vet care for feral/stray cats with serious injuries, Protectors of Animals, East Hartford, CT and Dakin Humane Society, Springfield, MA, who provide spay/neuter services for feral cats, who don't meet our adoption standards. With the proceeds of two successful Facebook fundraisers, we were able to raise enough money to cover most of the cat's daily care and medical expenses. As time went on, we soon realized that our efforts would need to continue and that ongoing management of the feral cat population in Wethersfield would need to be addressed, as our local resources were overwhelmed and underfunded. As word spread of our efforts, residents throughout Wethersfield began to reach out to us for support in managing other feral cat colonies in the town of Wethersfield... how could we say "no"! Armed with a list of local volunteers, a small stash of cat carriers and a few "Havahart Traps", we expanded our support to include the entire town of Wethersfield, CT and over the past two years, our team of volunteers has rescued over 500 kittens and TNR'd close to 100 feral cats! So, with your support, Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue, now formally registered with the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, will be able to continue its work and assist local residents with the trapping and neutering of feral cats as well as helping to coordinate the care and adoption of feral kittens. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of these animals as well as help reduce the impact feral cat colonies have on our local wildlife. Melinda Robidoux
Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue

🐾 Foster Feature Friday: Meet Natalie & Salt 🐾Our sweet special-needs kitten, Salt, is still looking for her forever fam...
06/19/2026

🐾 Foster Feature Friday: Meet Natalie & Salt 🐾

Our sweet special-needs kitten, Salt, is still looking for her forever family.

We've had two wonderful families express serious interest in Salt, only to ultimately decide she wasn't the right fit for their home. While we know her perfect match is out there, we'd love to remind everyone just how special she is.

Salt has made incredible progress since coming into rescue. She has fully recovered from her upper respiratory infection, and her veterinarian feels her Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH) is a mild case. Her biggest challenge is impaired vision, but she adapts beautifully with gentle prompts and confidently explores her surroundings. She loves to run, play, and enjoy life just like any other kitten her age. When the time comes, OW Kitten Rescue will also ensure Salt is spayed before adoption.

The reason Salt has flourished is because of the love and dedication of her foster mom, Natalie.

Natalie's fostering journey began with a local dog shelter, where she cared for dogs and puppies on their way to forever homes. When fostering dogs was no longer feasible, she discovered OW Kitten Rescue through a friend and quickly knew it was the right fit.

Natalie loves being able to give vulnerable kittens a safe place to grow, watching them transform from scared and uncertain into confident, loved companions. When she's not fostering, she enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, spending time outdoors with her fiancé and dogs, and enjoying ocean days whenever possible.

Her advice for anyone considering fostering? Celebrate the small wins. Progress often comes in quiet moments, but those moments can mean everything.

We're incredibly grateful for volunteers like Natalie, who help special kittens like Salt get the second chance they deserve.

Interested in adopting Salt or becoming a foster? Send us a message—we'd love to hear from you! ❤️🐾

Attention Wethersfield Residents:Does this handsome boy look familiar?  He was found last night wandering around Jordan ...
06/15/2026

Attention Wethersfield Residents:

Does this handsome boy look familiar? He was found last night wandering around Jordan Lane near the train tracks. He’s approximately 7 months old, intact male and tremendously affectionate!

As he’s so loving, we know someone must be heartbroken over not knowing his whereabouts.

If you live in the area and recognize him, please comment or email us at: [email protected].

Wethersfield ACO has examined him and found no evidence of a microchip.

We will foster this handsome guy while we look for his rightful owner in hopes of reuniting them.

A big shout out to our volunteer Solomyia, who noticed him in the road and stopped to bring him to safety and Caitlyn for “baby sitting” this young fella while we look for his family.💛✨

With the volunteer efforts of Lebanon Veterinary Hospital, we were able to take advantage of their “SNIP” day this weeke...
06/14/2026

With the volunteer efforts of Lebanon Veterinary Hospital, we were able to take advantage of their “SNIP” day this weekend which is a low cost spay/neuter clinic offered to local rescues and animal control officers.

A huge thank you goes out to Dr. Steven Zickmann and his wife Susan who oversaw and coordinated this huge endeavor with the support of the Connecticut Humane Society along with a small army of volunteers!

At the end of the day, 134 cats were “SNIP’d”!!

Because of their commitment to community, our rescue was able to further our mission of supporting the homeless cat population living right here in Central Connecticut!

It really does take a village!

A few weeks back Rocky Hill ACO, Tom assisted with the rescue of two sweet kittens that were left in a box on the side o...
06/13/2026

A few weeks back Rocky Hill ACO, Tom assisted with the rescue of two sweet kittens that were left in a box on the side of the road. As tragic as that sounds, abandoned and discarded cats & kittens are found everyday throughout the state of Connecticut.

Despite their rocky start, these sweet siblings are thriving thanks to their foster-mom, Val and sons Ben & Ryan.

Now seven weeks old, “Harold” & “George” are ready to be adopted, so our Adoption Manager, Angie will be making call outs to folks on our waiting list. As these two brothers are very attached to one another, we want to adopt them out together.

In preparation for their social media post, their foster-mom Val interviewed them and this is what they had to say…

Hi I’m Harold - my foster family calls me Harry for short. I’m not really sure how I ended up here but I do remember some nice people helped me and my brother from the side of a busy road one day. Since then, I’ve been hanging out and learning how to be a good kitten. My foster mom tells me I’m a “messy boy!” every time we eat - but that’s ok - because it’s just so yummy! I like naps in the sunshine, being held and love to cuddle while my brother, George, goes exploring. I don’t like when he goes too far so I usually end up tagging along to make sure he’s safe - someone has to be the responsible one!☺️

Hi I’m George - Isn’t my nose the cutest? I KNOW!!
A nice family rescued me and my brother, Harold, from the side of the road one day; I was trying to be brave but I was really really scared! But now that I’m settled with my foster family, I am having so much fun! This place is COOL! I love playing with all the toys. I get to do A LOT of exploring and I learned how to jump SUPER high! But don’t worry - Harry keeps an eye on me to make sure I don’t get in too much trouble. 😁

Update: Adopted!🖤✨Not too long ago our sweet little “Patricia” was rescued from a storm-drain by  and we can honestly sa...
06/11/2026

Update: Adopted!🖤✨
Not too long ago our sweet little “Patricia” was rescued from a storm-drain by and we can honestly say her rescue story was one of the most memorable rescue efforts of a kitten we’ve ever seen!

So when the call came in from Rocky Hill Police asking us if we could help… of course the answer was YES!

Since her spectacular rescue and delivery to our home office in Wethersfield, Patricia has enjoyed being completely spoiled by her foster mom, Val who lives in Berlin, CT along with her husband and two boys, Ben & Ryan.

As Patricia’s wellness exam is scheduled for next week, we will begin the process of promoting her with our prospective adopters currently on our adoption waitlist in hopes of finding her a forever home.

Since receiving Patricia under our care, she has proven to be quite a playful little girl whose ready to enjoy the quiet comforts of a loving home💕

If interested in supporting more kittens like Patricia, we invite you to complete our adoption application pinned at the top of our page!

Additionally, donations towards our 501c3 rescue can be made directly to our PayPal Giving Fund (link in comments).

Together we can make a difference in the lives of our community cats!

🍋🐾 Kids Helping Kittens, One Cup at a Time! 🐾🍋Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue is excited to kick off our 2nd Annu...
06/10/2026

🍋🐾 Kids Helping Kittens, One Cup at a Time! 🐾🍋

Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue is excited to kick off our 2nd Annual Lemonade Stand FUNraiser!

Last summer, our incredible young fundraisers raised over $3,000 to help provide veterinary care for kittens in need. This year, we're hoping to make an even bigger impact—and we need your help!

Whether your child wants to host a lemonade stand with friends, siblings, or neighbors, every cup sold helps save the lives of vulnerable kittens in our community.

✨ Participants receive a fundraising kit that includes:
🐱 Lemonade recipes and ideas
🐱 Cups and OWKR sticker materials
🐱 OWKR T-shirts (up to 3 per household)
🐱 Canvas bag
🐱 Donation QR code
🐱 Fun decorating ideas

🏆 Special Reward!
The Top 3 Fundraisers will be invited to an exclusive Kitten Kuddle Experience this September!

📅 Fundraiser Dates: June 27 – August 16, 2026
📅 Registration Deadline: June 17, 2026

Every lemonade stand makes a difference. Gather your family, set up your stand, and help us give more kittens the care they deserve.

💛 Every Cup Helps Save a Kitten! 💛

Register today: owkittenrescue.org/lemonade

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🐾 Rescue Intake Update 🐾We are incredibly grateful for everyone who reaches out to help cats and kittens in need. Unfort...
06/09/2026

🐾 Rescue Intake Update 🐾

We are incredibly grateful for everyone who reaches out to help cats and kittens in need. Unfortunately, we are currently drowning in rescue requests and have reached our maximum capacity for intakes.

At this time, we are unable to accept any new cats or kittens into our program. This allows us to continue providing the best possible care for the animals already in our rescue.

We know kitten season is in full swing, and the need is overwhelming everywhere. That's why we're asking our community to stand up and help when possible.

If a cat or litter of kittens wanders into your yard, please consider serving as a short-term foster while working with your local Animal Control Officer (ACO). ACOs can work with the Connecticut Humane Society to help locate resources for placement, medical care, and additional support. Sometimes providing a safe temporary space can make all the difference in saving lives.

Every rescue organization is facing significant challenges right now, and it will take all of us working together to help the many cats and kittens in need throughout our communities.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support of rescue efforts. We will provide updates as space becomes available. ❤️🐱

Happy “Adoption Day” to Chrissy and her new mom Paloma!It’s not often we get to celebrate the quiet moments of rescue, b...
06/06/2026

Happy “Adoption Day” to Chrissy and her new mom Paloma!

It’s not often we get to celebrate the quiet moments of rescue, but we’re taking a pause to celebrate the adoption of this sweet kitten, Chrissy who was initially rescued by and Officer Mastroberti!

Her rescue team doesn’t end there! For every kitten that gets adopted, we have several volunteers who oversee the cat’s care on a daily basis. From intake assessment, to daily fostering, to administration of medications and vetting, to interviewing prospective adopters… each and every cat is supported by an amazing group of individuals, who volunteer their time, talent and treasure to support our community cats in need.

So with that, we’d like to thank: Amanda, Melinda, Rosa, Rhonnie, and Angie for guiding our sweet “Chrissy” to her new mom and “forever home”🏡

Together we can make a difference in the lives of our community cats!💛✨

Update: All Adopted!!! 😃✨Meet our weather kittens, Windy, Sunny, Stormy, Tornado, and Thunder!☀️⛈️🌪️🌬🌀Their journey star...
06/05/2026

Update: All Adopted!!! 😃✨

Meet our weather kittens, Windy, Sunny, Stormy, Tornado, and Thunder!☀️⛈️🌪️🌬🌀

Their journey started with a stormy beginning when their first foster mom, Angie, received them, they were underweight, dehydrated, and struggling with a heavy worm burden. Sadly, despite everyone's best efforts, one of their siblings didn't survive. The remaining five, however, proved just how strong they are. With lots of love, care, SubQ fluids, and B12 injections, these babies began to thrive.

These kittens were rescued from Newington by Jill, with the homeowner Stuart's help. Angie cared for them through their earliest days before they moved to their foster home with Jody, who has helped them continue to blossom.

According to Jody, these kittens are playful, affectionate, and full of personality! They are very vocal, with plenty of purring to share, and they absolutely love being held and showered with pets. The boys especially enjoy wrestling with each other, climbing, and getting into all the typical sibling mischief. 😆

From a rough start to happy, healthy, and thriving, Windy, Sunny, Stormy, Tornado, and Thunder are ready to bring sunshine, laughter, and lots of love to their new families. ❤️🐾

What started off as a simple question, “How many cats is too many?”… has turned into a major rescue and TNR effort for o...
06/03/2026

What started off as a simple question, “How many cats is too many?”… has turned into a major rescue and TNR effort for our team.

The effort began last month, when one of our fosters, Melissa was dropping kittens off for their vet apt and posed the question, to which our President relied, “that depends” and soon this brief conversation would result in the trapping of 18 (and still counting) cats and kittens.

The backstory, Melissa recently moved into a neighborhood in Newington and overheard a conversation between neighbors about a man named Stuart living on her street who had, at last count… 20+ cats in his house. Apparently, he and his girlfriend had out of the goodness of their hearts, taken in several cats in an effort to provide them shelter during times of severe weather. Overtime, the intact cats began to procreate and before they knew it, these handful of cats had produced three litters of kittens (varying in age).

With this information in hand, our team reached out to Stuart to offer support with food and trapping. With his approval, we soon set out to trap kittens as well as oversee their medical care and socialization.

During the month of May, we’ve rescued 14 kittens varying in age and trapped 4 adult cats, who didn’t meet our adoption standards and would require to be “trapped, neutered and returned” to their original locations.

The effort has been exhausting for both the property owner and our rescue team, but our efforts continue.

Thankfully has a new Animal Control Officer and we hope to engage them on the remaining cats, who required TNR… we’ll consider it “Baptism by fire”!

Welcome aboard Officer Petlik, we look forward to our ongoing partnership with the town and hope to secure additional funding to help support our efforts in managing the community cat crisis in Newington.

If any of our followers are moved by this story, or want to help us help Stuart, please consider donating towards our TNR efforts via the link found at the top of our page or in the comments below.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our community cats.

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Wethersfield, CT

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