Surrender Your Cat / Find A Stray Cat / Return A Cat
Surrendering a Personally Owned Cat
Returning a Cat Adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom
Surrendering a Personally Owned Cat
Hope’s Animal Kingdom Cat Rescue has limited foster space and resources. Our priority is always cats who are homeless, abandoned, or at immediate risk.
If you are seeking to surrender a personally owned cat (not adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom), please note:
- Owner-provided fostering is typically required. In most cases, we can only help
Hope’s Animal Kingdom Cat Rescue has limited foster space and resources. Our priority is always cats who are homeless, abandoned, or at immediate risk.
If you are seeking to surrender a personally owned cat (not adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom), please note:
- Owner-provided fostering is typically required. In most cases, we can only help if you are willing and able to foster your cat until adoption. A foster application and screening are required.
- Advance notice is essential. Short-notice or emergency requests are often unable to be accommodated.
- All alternatives should be explored first, including food assistance, veterinary or behavioral support, rehoming with trusted contacts, or pet-friendly housing.
- Cats must be current on rabies and FVRCP vaccinations and have a recent Felv/FIV test, and all medical or behavioral concerns must be disclosed.
- If adopted from another rescue, contact them first. Most rescues require return of adopted animals.
Submitting a surrender request does not guarantee intake. It simply begins a conversation to determine whether we are able to help based on current capacity.
Surrendering a Stray Cat
Returning a Cat Adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom
Surrendering a Personally Owned Cat
. Our primary focus is on kittens who are sick, orphaned, injured, or otherwise at extreme risk of death if help is not obtained.
Because of this, we are only able to assist in a limited number of stray situations.
If you are seeking help with a stray cat, please review the following:
- Finder-provided fostering is typically required. In most
. Our primary focus is on kittens who are sick, orphaned, injured, or otherwise at extreme risk of death if help is not obtained.
Because of this, we are only able to assist in a limited number of stray situations.
If you are seeking help with a stray cat, please review the following:
- Finder-provided fostering is typically required. In most cases, we can only assist if you are willing and able to foster the cat until adoption. A foster application and screening are required.
Important: We cannot legally place a stray cat for adoption until reasonable efforts have been made to locate an owner, including reporting to local shelters and community posting.
- Local reporting requirements must be followed.
- At a minimum, this includes:
- Notifying the local animal shelter
- Posting the found cat on community platforms (such as Facebook, Nextdoor, or similar)
- Completing any required stray hold period
- Notifying the local animal shelter
If you would like to proceed, please click the icon below to submit a surrender request.
Submitting this form does not guarantee intake—it simply begins a conversation so we can determine whether we are able to help based on current capacity.
Returning a Cat Adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom
Returning a Cat Adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom
Returning a Cat Adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom
If you’ve come to the difficult decision that returning a cat adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom Cat Rescue is the best option, please know that we will always welcome our cats back into our care.
To help us support both you and your cat during this transition, we ask that you share some background on the reason for return.
Please click th
If you’ve come to the difficult decision that returning a cat adopted from Hope’s Animal Kingdom Cat Rescue is the best option, please know that we will always welcome our cats back into our care.
To help us support both you and your cat during this transition, we ask that you share some background on the reason for return.
Please click the icon below to submit a return request and provide as much detail as you can. A member of our team will reach out to coordinate next steps. We kindly request a minimum of two weeks’ notice to ensure we can secure space within our foster program
Please submit a request at the bottom of this page.
You Found a Kitten — Now What?
Found Kittens
Found kittens and were told the shelter can’t take them? You’re not alone. During kitten season, shelters and rescues across our area are overwhelmed. This guide from Hope’s Animal Kingdom Cat Rescue walks you through what to do next — and how to give those kittens the best possible chance of survival.
First, Pause and Assess the Situation
Before picking up kittens, take a moment to observe.
Ask yourself:
Are the kittens warm? Cold kittens need warmth immediately — not food.
Do they appear clean and groomed? This often means mom is nearby.
Are they quiet and sleeping? Content kittens are usually being cared for.
Mother cats often leave their kittens for hours at a time to find food. If the kittens appear safe and healthy, the best option is often to watch from a distance and allow mom time to return. She is their best caregiver if she’s present.
If Mom Does Not Return
If several hours pass with no sign of mom — or if the kittens are cold, crying constantly, thin, or in distress — it may be time to step in.
What to do:
Provide warmth first. Use a heating pad on low (wrapped in a towel) or a warm water bottle.
Do NOT give cow’s milk. It can cause serious digestive issues. Use kitten formula such as KMR or Breeder’s Edge. Goat’s milk may be used temporarily in an emergency.
Handle gently. Neonatal kittens are fragile and easily stressed.
Warmth always comes before feeding.
Why Shelters Sometimes Say No
During kitten season, the number of homeless kittens rises dramatically. Many shelters do not have the staff or foster homes needed to provide around-the-clock care for neonatal kittens. A “no” does not mean the kittens don’t matter — it means resources are stretched beyond capacity.
Reach Out to Kitten-Focused Rescues
Even when shelters are full, foster-based rescues may be able to help or guide you.
From providing education to supporting health care initiatives, Hope’s Animal Kingdom offers a range of programs to support communities in need. Learn more about our work.
We recommend
Searching online for local kitten rescues
Contacting foster-based organizations in nearby counties
Using local community or Facebook groups to find support
Many rescues can offer supplies, education, or help you care for the kittens until placement is possible.
You May Be Their Temporary Foster
Many kitten fosters begin by unexpectedly finding kittens.
Some rescues (including ours when possible) can provide:
Formula, bottles, and basic supplies
Training and step-by-step guidance
Ongoing support by phone or message
Even short-term care can save lives while longer-term help is arranged.
Lean on Your Community
You don’t have to do this alone.
Ask friends or neighbors for help with supplies or feeding shifts
Reach out to local veterinarians for guidance
Share your situation in local community groups — many people want to help when they know what’s needed
Think Long-Term: Preventing the Next Litter
If you found kittens, there is likely an unspayed mom nearby. Once the kittens are safe, helping mom get spayed through a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program can prevent future litters and suffering.
Many TNR programs offer traps, spay/neuter services, and support.
Still Need Help?
If you’ve found kittens and need guidance, please:
Review the steps above first
Then contact Hope’s Animal Kingdom Cat Rescue through email at hopesanimalkingdomrescue@yahoo.com, message us via our website, or fill out a stray surrender form and submit it promptly.
Include photos, location, and the kittens’ estimated age if possible
While we may not always be able to intake immediately, we will do our best to guide you and help keep the kittens safe.
💛 Thank You for Caring. Finding kittens can be overwhelming, especially when shelters are full. Taking even one step — keeping them warm, observing for mom, or reaching out for help — can make a life-saving difference.