HONOLULU (KHON2) — Have you ever found a tiny, helpless kitten and wondered what to do next? Or maybe you love cats and want to help but don’t know where to start?
Two incredible organizations, Sugar and Spice Kitten Rescue and Cat People of Oʻahu, are here to guide and inspire you to make a difference for cats and kittens in need.
Meet Pascha Brown and Alexis Jamison
Pascha Brown runs Sugar and Spice Kitten Rescue. Her journey into kitten rescue began almost nine years ago with an eight-day-old kitten she had to bottle-feed.
“When they’re that young, you don’t know if they’re going to live or not,” Brown said.
That kitten survived and became a 15-pound cat! During COVID-19, Brown started fostering kittens through the Humane Society and the SPCA.
Even after quarantine ended, she continued her mission to care for neonate kittens and pregnant or nursing mommy cats.
Brown focuses on providing training and supplies for people who find themselves caring for these vulnerable groups.
She said, “Neonates and pregnant/nursing mommy cats are the hardest to find fosters for because they require more work, but it’s also some of the most rewarding work.”
Alexis Jamison is the president of Cat People of Oʻahu, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cats on Oʻahu.
Jamison has always loved animals and became involved in cat rescue through a Facebook group that evolved into the organization it is today.
“We needed to become a nonprofit because there were so many cats that needed help,” she explained.
Since taking over the group, Jamison has been tirelessly working to provide support and resources for people who find themselves with cats or kittens in need.
How you can help
Brown emphasized that fostering can be emotionally tough but extremely rewarding. If you’re interested in fostering, Sugar and Spice Kitten Rescue can provide the necessary tools and training.
They always need fosters, but it’s important not to get overwhelmed to avoid burnout.
Jamison and Cat People of Oʻahu operate mainly through social media, helping people who find cats in need. Unlike other organizations, they don’t require people to be official fosters or follow strict rules.
“We focus on helping people in situations where they find cats or kittens and don’t know what to do next,” Jamison said.
Cat People of Oʻahu operates mainly through social media, helping people who find cats in need. Unlike other organizations, they don’t require people to be official fosters or follow strict rules.
Join the mission
Both Brown and Jamison stress the importance of community involvement. They rely on donations and volunteers to continue their work.
“We are 100% donation-based,” Jamison said. “We raise money to help cats in need, especially those that require life-saving medical treatment.”
For example, Cat People of Oʻahu recently helped a kitten named Sora who had a severe leg injury. Thanks to donations, they were able to get Sora the surgery he needed.
“Our biggest thing is helping those that are in the most need,” Jamison said.
How to get involved
Foster a kitten: Fostering is a hands-on way to help. Sugar and Spice Kitten Rescue can provide all the training and supplies you need.
Donate: Both organizations need financial support to cover medical treatments, food and other supplies. Even a small donation can make a big difference.
Spread the word: Follow their social media pages, share their posts, and tell your friends and family about the amazing work they do.
Volunteer: Offer your skills, like graphic design or marketing, to support their efforts.
Adopt: If you’re ready for a new furry family member, consider adopting a cat or kitten from these organizations. They often have cats that need loving homes.
Doc was rescued in Waimanalo with a fully degloved tail and received a tail amputation. ((Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
Sora was rescued in Kalihi with an infected compound fracture and received daily bandage changes until he could get his leg amputated. (Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
Sora was rescued in Kalihi with an infected compound fracture and received daily bandage changes until he could get his leg amputated. (Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
Knight, another panleukopenia fighter, rescued on the Leeward Side. (Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
Catfish, left, and Finn, right, both pulled off the streets of Mililani Mauka. (Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
Not a kitten but this is Max, who we are treating for FIP which had previously been considered an always fatal disease; he was rescued from the streets of Ewa Beach. (Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
Cherry was taken from a borderline hoarding situation on the Windward side and needed a double enucleation due to the severity of the damage to her eyes. (Photo/Cat People of Oʻahu)
A personal touch
Brown shared a story about one of her cats, Cookie. “Cookie is about four months old, but he was the runt and only has one eye. He’s probably as big as he’s going to get,” she said.
Stories like Cookie’s show the love and dedication these rescuers have for every cat in their care.
Jamison highlights the impact of their efforts through a recent partnership with the Hawaiʻi Cat Cafe.
“This is a really exciting opportunity because we can help people find homes for the cats they find in their community,” she said.
Both Sugar and Spice Kitten Rescue and Cat People of Oʻahu are making a significant difference in the lives of cats and kittens.
They need your help to continue their mission. Whether you can foster, donate, volunteer or adopt, your support is crucial.
You can click here to access Cat People of Oʻahu’s Instagram for more information on volunteering and donating and here for their Facebook page.
You can click here for access to Sugar and Spice Kitten Rescue’s Facebook page for more information on volunteering and donating opportunities.
The Hawaiian Humane Society is doing a lot to ensure residents are trained and empowered to step in and gives these souls a second chance in life. Click here to find out more about their Itty-Bitty Kitty Committee where you can access resources and support.
By getting involved, you can be a part of something incredibly rewarding and help ensure that every cat and kitten gets the care and love they deserve.