About Cat Rescue Network

Cat Rescue Network's Vision  

The Cat Rescue Network was established in 1999 in order to bring together, in an informal partnership, animal welfare organizations and committed individuals to address gaps in the delivery of animal welfare services for homeless cats. Our primary goal is to give apparently unadoptable cats a second chance.

There are hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of homeless kittens and cats within our region. Human apathy and neglect have forced them to forage to survive. They congregate in parks, wooded areas, and alleyways wherever they can find food and shelter.

Forced to live a miserable, dangerous existence they become helpless victims of the cold, disease, accidents and cruel predators, including humans.

Few kittens survive the winters. When left primarily on their own to forage, and without access to veterinary care, their dismal existence can best be described as a lingering death.

The Cat Rescue Network's primary goals are to:

• Negotiate economies of scale with respect to animal food and other cat related goods and services
• Share resources such as foster homes, websites, volunteers, expertise and funding
• Support and communicate with each other in areas of common interest such as animal welfare legislation and program delivery such as freeroaming cat Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate Release (TNVR) programs
• Provide infrastructure to smaller scale rescuers

Membership in The Cat Rescue Network includes animal welfare groups and individuals involved in all aspects of cat rescue.

Cat Rescue Network Code of Ethics 

A Cat Rescue Network Member organization must:

• Operate its rescue for the welfare of the animals in its care and not for personal profit. Any fees charged for adoption or other services will be designated to ongoing work of the organization;
• Dedicate its services to both the comprehensive care of its animals and to efforts to improve the treatment of animals in our community. These efforts include educating, advising and supporting its adopters and raising public awareness of animal issues and responsible pet care;
• Provide its services on a voluntary basis and not use its association with Cat Rescue Network to benefit personal endeavors;
• Refrain from providing animals for the purpose of breeding, sale or research;
• Ensure that all of its animals are health checked, receive vaccinations when appropriate and are spayed or neutered; unless doing so places the animal at risk;
• Screen its adoptive homes carefully to ensure that any adopted animal will be provided with the physical and emotional care it needs to lead a full, healthy and happy life as a cherished pet;
• Provide education, training, and support to its volunteers.
• Operate within the law;
• Conduct all of its dealings in a courteous manner, thereby creating a positive image for Cat Rescue Network and animal rescues in general;
• Keep confidential all personal information, and information about other rescue organizations, received through Cat Rescue Network;
• Exercise good-will in all interactions with other members of Cat Rescue Network;
• Abide by the standards of practice set forth by Cat Rescue Network.

Cat Rescue Network Standards of Practice 

A Cat Rescue Network Member must:

1. do home visits
2. do reference checks, at least one from a veterinarian
3. have a standard operating contract
4. provide for spay/neuter, vaccinations except for special needs (epileptics, elderly etc)
5. take in and treat sick animals
6. refrain from supporting the work of those who exploit animals
7. apply all income towards the ongoing work of the organization
8. rescue the mother of all baby animals taken care if she is also in need of rescue
9. rescue all litter mates, even those who are unhealthy
10. refrain from returning animals to shelters even if it means euthanizing it yourself
11. take the animal back if a placement is unsuccessful
12. take care of your own sick animals; do not dump on another rescue, leave it with a foster, or with a driver
13. have a standardized fee schedule
14. honestly represent the breed of cat and its health
15. refrain from purchasing from any group that exploits animals for profit
16. avoid the long term confinement of animals in cages; instead use foster homes which do not board in cages or kennels
17. advocate responsible pet ownership through the provision of educational materials, advice etc.
18. accept financial responsibility once an animal is en route to you; do not leave the transporter or transitional foster parent in the position of having to pay for the animal
19. pay vet expenses of foster animals and make difficult vet care decisions.