Each spring, as temperatures rise, a quieter crisis arrives with it: kitten season. Tiny lives, often only days old, come to Ella’s Feline Rescue Mission fragile, dehydrated, and fighting for survival.
Our mission is simple but unwavering: every cat deserves a chance at a safe, healthy life and a forever home. For the stray and abandoned feline population in our region, that chance often begins with us.
In 2025, we took in 22 neonatal kittens without access to a mother—kittens so young they required round-the-clock, intensive care. Despite our team’s dedication and experience, only 12 survived. This was not unexpected, as neonatal kittens are extremely fragile and there are multiple and varied factors that impact their survival, many of which are beyond the control of rescuers. However, research demonstrates that specialized equipment can increase survival rates for this vulnerable population.
The creation of a dedicated Kitten ICU, based on the latest research and Shelter Medicine recommendations, will offer that chance. With proper incubators, warming systems, isolation capabilities, and medical-grade monitoring equipment, we will be able to stabilize neonatal kittens immediately, prevent the spread of illness, and significantly improve survival rates. Instead of reacting to emergencies, we will be prepared for them—and more lives will be saved.
The need is urgent. At the time of this writing, we have already taken in 12 kittens that required bottle-feeding and specialized supplies. In 2025, our highest level of neonatal intakes occurred from July through September. We would like to ensure that we are better able to meet this year’s anticipated need by creating our Kitten ICU by July 1, 2026.
The solution to giving these fragile lives their best chance is within reach. Together, we can ensure that more of these tiny lives make it beyond their first, most fragile days. Even a gift of $250 will provide much-needed supplies to save lives. Please donate today. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
