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.

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 100 kittens and TNR'd dozens of 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

Summertime fun!  This summer we are launching our first ever “Lemonade Stand” Fundraiser, where we are inviting school a...
07/19/2025

Summertime fun! This summer we are launching our first ever “Lemonade Stand” Fundraiser, where we are inviting school aged children to host lemonade stands with the support of a supervising adult from July 20th - August 24th.

Each participating child will receive a marketing kit, which includes: OW Kitten Rescue T-Shirt, OW Kitten Canvas Bag (for adult in charge), lemonade mix, plastic cups, signage talking about our rescue & mission.

All funds raised will benefit our non-profit and in exchange, all active participants will be invited to attend a “Kitten Kuddle” event to be held in September with our friends ✨

To participate, simply send the following information to [email protected]:

Name & age of children hosting stand
Their youth t-shirt size
Address
Phone number
Name of Supervising Adult

Marketing kits will be distributed this Sunday, 7/20 between 3pm - 5pm at Soulshine Yoga, 163 Main Street, Wethersfield.

Selling lemonade is a fun way to engage kids this summer and at the same time raise awareness of the feral and stray cat crisis in CT.

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

🐾 Foster Feature Friday: Meet Kate! 🐾Some people foster because they love cats. Others foster to give back. For Kate, it...
07/18/2025

🐾 Foster Feature Friday: Meet Kate! 🐾

Some people foster because they love cats. Others foster to give back. For Kate, it’s both—and it all started with a lifelong love of animals that took root in childhood. Now, as a parent, she’s found a beautiful way to share that love with her daughter while giving back to the community in a meaningful and lasting way.

“Fostering isn’t just about caring for animals—it’s about teaching empathy, responsibility, and the importance of giving back.” 💛

Kate’s fostering journey began in early spring 2024, and in just a few months, with the help of her daughter, they have already cared for eight cats—each with their own story, spark, and charm. Of course, no fostering journey is complete without a few adventures… including one particularly spirited kitty who made a surprise escape!

One especially sweet memory stands out: a gentle mama cat with a little short tail and her unique, tiny kitten who completely captured their hearts. Kate’s daughter couldn’t stop marveling at how perfect they were—and those small, tender moments are what make fostering so memorable.

But Kate doesn’t stop there. In addition to fostering, she’s built outdoor cat shelters for community colonies and helps her daughter host lemonade stands during the summer, with all proceeds going directly to support the rescue. 🍋🐱 That’s what we call raising the next generation of compassionate humans!

Outside of rescue life, Kate fills her days with creativity and connection. She loves cooking from scratch, gardening with ingredients she’s grown or sourced locally, and making even everyday moments feel special—whether that’s through thoughtful seasonal décor, a homemade cake, or a shared meal. In the winter, you’ll find her skiing; in the summer, soaking up New England’s simple pleasures—long swims, new hobbies (hello, tennis & golf!), and relaxed dinners by the shore. She’s also an avid traveler, but says there’s truly nothing like a New England summer. 🌿🌊

We’re beyond grateful to have Kate and her wonderful daughter as part of our foster family. Thank you for the compassion, creativity, and care you bring to every single cat (and human!) you meet. 💫

Closing the loop… that’s our goal when we rescue a litter of kittens and their momma isn’t a good candidate for adoption...
07/17/2025

Closing the loop… that’s our goal when we rescue a litter of kittens and their momma isn’t a good candidate for adoption.

In this instance, we are fortunate to have trapped both mom “Willow” & dad “Jack” of the “Boat Babies”. Thanks to the dedication & caring of the Martindale family, who have cared for both mom & dad since discovering the kittens in their boat.

Once fixed, both mom & dad will be returned to their original territory, as they consider it home. We are grateful for the Martindale’s as they have also agreed to be their caregivers - ensuring the cats have a regular source of food and a warm shelter during the colder months.

Rescue truly is a partnership with and our community members. Without this level of collaboration and commitment, our rescue efforts would be throttled.

The sense of loss is real for us all and our sweet momma Tortellini is no exception. After being rescued by our dear fri...
07/16/2025

The sense of loss is real for us all and our sweet momma Tortellini is no exception.

After being rescued by our dear friend Jon, she soon delivered 4 sweet babies. The delivery process was uneventful and occurred overnight. Over the next two days all kittens were doing well except one orange tabby, who wasn’t gaining weight like his siblings.

In these instances, our fosters are trained to follow “fading kitten syndrome” protocols in hopes of saving a fading kitten, who for unknown reasons fails to thrive within the first 4 weeks of life.

As a rescue that specializes in neonatal care, we are blessed to have several fosters who are well versed in the care of such delicate animals.

But despite all our efforts, death is inevitable for some… like this sweet orange tabby.

While we do our very best, we trust in nature’s selection process and move our attention back to momma and the remaining kits.

It’s heartbreaking work, but we find comfort in knowing these delicate creatures knew and felt love even if it was but for a short time.

🌶️🐾 Meet the Snack Pack: Chilli, Queso, Pico & Churro! 🐾🌮This little crew will be ready for adoption on 7/25 after their...
07/15/2025

🌶️🐾 Meet the Snack Pack: Chilli, Queso, Pico & Churro! 🐾🌮

This little crew will be ready for adoption on 7/25 after their wellness check — and trust us, they’re as deliciously cute as their names suggest!

At about 12–14 weeks old, they’re still getting used to being handled, but thanks to their amazing foster mom Aileen, they just started purring this week! 💛

They’re super playful, love grooming each other, and regularly nap in one big, melty kitten puddle. 😻

We’ll find out their genders soon, but for now just enjoy the flavor — Chilli, Queso, Pico & Churro are warming up fast and will be stealing hearts in no time!

If interested, please fill out an adoption application pinned to the top of our page and our Adoption Manager will get back to you!

🚨 ADOPTABLE KITTEN ALERT 🚨Meet Leo – the last of his littermates and more than ready to find his purrfect forever home! ...
07/11/2025

🚨 ADOPTABLE KITTEN ALERT 🚨

Meet Leo – the last of his littermates and more than ready to find his purrfect forever home! 🐾

This sweet, adventurous, and playful little guy is full of love and curiosity. 🖤 With his sleek black fur and charming personality, Leo is sure to bring joy, snuggles, and a touch of mischief to your life.

He's ready to go home today – could it be with you?

📍 To adopt, please fill out application pinned to the top of our page and our Adoption Manager will get back to you!

Update: Adopted! 🧡Our girl “Fergie” needs your help.  She originally came to us as a rescue earlier this year from Newin...
07/10/2025

Update: Adopted! 🧡
Our girl “Fergie” needs your help. She originally came to us as a rescue earlier this year from Newington and was adopted out a short time after. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone well for Fergie and she now needs to be rehomed.

The situation isn’t one we or her adoptive family anticipated, as their existing male cat has not adjusted well to his new “sister” and has become increasingly aggressive towards their owner, resulting in physical attacks.

Thankfully, Fergie’s new family has acted quickly and has sequestered Fergie from their existing male cat, while we help them find a peaceful home for her.

Fergie herself is a timid girl, who would do exceptionally well in a quiet home without dogs. Approximately two years old, this petite girl has been fully vetted: spayed, rabies, distemper, FIV/FeLV- and microchipped.

Please help us find her a new home by sharing this post. If interested in adopting, please comment or send us a PM and our Adoption Manager will be in contact with you to discuss details.

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

🚨🎉 Happy Adoption Day to the Boat Babies! ⚓🐾From their first rescue to their final snuggles, this kitten crew sailed thr...
07/09/2025

🚨🎉 Happy Adoption Day to the Boat Babies! ⚓🐾

From their first rescue to their final snuggles, this kitten crew sailed through with the help of an amazing team of fosters — huge thank you to some of our fosters Rosa, Jill, Dorothy, and Natalie for giving them so much love, care, and cozy places to grow. 💛

Today, we celebrate their fresh start in forever homes — safe, loved, and cherished. Cheers to smooth sailing ahead for these sweet little sailors! ⛵💙🐱

📦🐾 Happy Prime Days 7/8-7/11! 🐾📦If you're browsing those Amazon deals today and spot anything from our wishlist, we'd be...
07/08/2025

📦🐾 Happy Prime Days 7/8-7/11! 🐾📦

If you're browsing those Amazon deals today and spot anything from our wishlist, we'd be so grateful for your support! Every donation helps us care for the cats and kittens who need us most 🐱💛

💡Find our wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/35NKZ8PAN3GI3?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwY2xjawLZ43NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHi06Lwql3sd2utMDQIp6EtMnZgTEWwyBClP87nt1cx6HfpNp-k5IDkmdXtoo_aem_VJlsMIXdNy-V22T0qASKxA

We are always looking for unopened cat food llike Fancy Feast canned wet kitten food or Purina Nurture Dry cat food in small bags, clean unused toys, and unused cat items. Thank you for helping us help them! ❤️🙌🏼😻

Special Foster Feature Friday: John & Stuart Little’s Journey 🐾As a nurse, John’s instinct to help others—whether human ...
07/04/2025

Special Foster Feature Friday: John & Stuart Little’s Journey 🐾

As a nurse, John’s instinct to help others—whether human or animal—comes naturally. So when he came across a tiny kitten with swimmer’s syndrome, unable to walk and found helpless under a bush, he didn’t hesitate. “It was an automatic response,” he says. “I couldn’t just leave him like that.” That kitten was Stuart Little.

Despite never fostering before, John connected with Melinda and took on the challenge of rehabbing Stuart. With daily physical therapy such as bicycle kicks, leg massages, and assisted walks—Stuart began to show progress. “Within a few weeks, he was hopping, then jumping, and eventually running around and climbing his scratch post,” John shared. “It was truly night and day.”

One of the most heartwarming parts of the journey was watching Stuart bond with John’s 4-year-old lab. “They nap and play together like they’ve known each other forever,” he said. That friendship became just one of many joys to come from the experience.

Outside of fostering, John enjoys golfing, watching sports, and spending time with his friends and family—but it’s clear that this rescue left a lasting mark. “I never expected to rehab a kitten,” he said, “but this experience opened my heart to the possibility of doing it again.”

And the happy ending? Stuart Little will stay part of the family forever—John’s mom recently adopted him, ensuring this sweet, resilient boy will always be surrounded by the people who loved him back to health. 💙

Update: All adopted✨🐛🐞Rescue Story: The Bug Babies 🪲🦋Meet Worm, Praying Mantis, Dragonfly, and their late sister, Ladybu...
07/03/2025

Update: All adopted✨
🐛🐞Rescue Story: The Bug Babies 🪲🦋

Meet Worm, Praying Mantis, Dragonfly, and their late sister, Ladybug — a tiny crew with a big story. 💛

While out on a walk one day, one of our volunteers, Beth, found a nursing momma cat that was hit by a car on Nott St in Wethersfield. From then on, we kept our eyes and ears open for any kittens because we knew they would be close by. Fortunately, these kittens were found crying under a shed just a few streets over and were rescued by Daryl and his wife, who crawled under to pull them to safety. We rushed them to Double A Veterinary Hospital for emergency care. Sadly, little Ladybug was in critical condition from the start, and we were told she likely wouldn’t survive the day. But thanks to the tireless love of their incredible foster mom Kelly, Ladybug held on for a whole week — warm, comforted, and deeply loved. 🌈

Now, Worm (adopted), Praying Mantis, and Dragonfly are thriving. Kelly describes them as loving, playful, and full of personality. They’ve grown into healthy, happy kittens, carrying their sister’s spirit with them as they play and cuddle.

This sweet trio will be ready for forever homes after their wellness check on 7/18, if you are interested in adopting, please fill out our application pinned to the top of our page and our Adoption Manager will get back to you!🐾💕

Update: All adopted!✨Our fierce and fabulous feline foursome ✨️Lynx, Bobcat, Ocelot, and Puma✨️ will be ready for adopti...
07/02/2025

Update: All adopted!✨

Our fierce and fabulous feline foursome ✨️Lynx, Bobcat, Ocelot, and Puma✨️ will be ready for adoption following their wellness check on 7/22, and we couldn’t be more excited to help them find their FURever homes! 💕

Their wonderful foster mom, Jill, says this little wild bunch each has their own special personality:

🌟 Lynx & Bobcat are the adventurers of the group—always on the move, curious, playful, and full of fun energy. If you’re looking for little explorers to keep you on your toes, these two are it!

💖 Ocelot & Puma are the sweet snugglebugs—more reserved but full of love. They’re happiest curled up next to you, ready to purr the day away.

Whether you're looking for an energetic duo or a calm cuddle companion, this crew has the perfect kitten for you. If you are interested in adopting any of these cuties, please fill out an adoption application pinned to the top of our page and our Adoption Manager will get back to you! 🏡🐱

Address

Wethersfield, CT

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue:

Share