Stray cat strut has a new beat Kitten rescue group saves feline friends
- Sarah Barr
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
by Sarah Barr
Staff Writer
Submitted photos
Old Wethersfield Stray & Kitten Rescue puts the “wow” in the “meow.” Since its inception in 2021, approximately 600 cats and kittens have been saved starting with the efforts of a woman who is allergic to, of all things, these finicky felines.
On July 4 weekend of that year, founding member Melinda Robidoux noticed her elderly neighbor feeding stray cats. Soon she realized that a colony of three females had turned into 20-plus cats, with some coming into her yard and attacking wildlife.
“My initial response was oh, this isn’t good,” Robidoux recalled.
Then she sprang into action.
“I literally posted on social media and reached out to friends and family asking what do I do? And who can help? Within minutes I got offers to foster, donate cat carriers, you name it,” she said.
“I solicited support from Double A Veterinary Hospital and they gave me a discount to help us get the kittens taken care of. We then started a Facebook fundraiser. People donated, adopted kittens. I didn’t think anything would come of it,” she added.
People kept reaching out, almost as if the mission had taken on nine lives of its own. According to Robidoux, animal organizations continue to be overwhelmed and underfunded. Within months, her rescue group was established as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization serving Wethersfield, Rocky Hill and Newington. Its grassroots efforts are now known statewide.
“Through their efforts, they’re making a difference to the animals, by both reducing the population and ‘re-homing’ the kittens,” James Bias, executive director of the Connecticut Humane Society, said.
Feral cats can become a major concern for communities as they significantly raise the risk of diseases, parasites and harmful bacteria transmissible to both other animals and people. The number game is even more haunting. According to the Wethersfield Animal Control office, one unspayed female cat has the potential to reproduce 36 kittens within a 16-month span.
A male cat that is not neutered has the potential to impregnate several female cats in one day.
“Animal control departments rely heavily on partnerships to perform daily job duties,” Amanda Mastroberti said.
She is the animal control officer with the Wethersfield Police Department. Despite all the progress, she added there are more potential colonies and pregnant female cats at every turn.
What started out as a few neighbors recruited to foster, socialize and cat sit has grown into an army of 30 volunteers, 25 foster people and a street team. While Robidoux remains the “OW Cat Lady,” it is the kind hearts of people that power some powerful results.
Angie Mull of Wethersfield is the adoption manager who reviews all the intake cases with Robidoux, whom she knew from her town commission work. When she saw the post, the mother of two took note of something missing within herself.
“When did I have something for me? So, I dove into fostering,” she said of the “spicy” little kitty who came into her life.
“I fostered. I did trapping [with Havahart traps baited with tins of cat food], which is really fun,” she said, comparing it to fishing, only more intimate and emotional, especially when it comes to bottle-feeding the babies.
“It’s like having a newborn baby. You are up throughout the night feeding them and hoping they will survive. For kittens who don’t have moms, it’s a sensitive time. I’ve had kittens that I’ve lost, but its nature. It’s a rewarding experience when you raise kittens that little and then send them off to loving families,” Mull added.
Jill Sylvester of Newington is the rescue manager who is on the front lines when it comes to trapping and communicating with people who request rescues in places like backyards and worksites.
“I started as a general foster and I prefer pregnant mamas and spicy kittens because I like to socialize them,” she said, adding she took on a leadership role this past fall.
How many requests she gets depends on Mother Nature.
“We had a cold winter so cats are less likely to breed,” she said. “Summertime is the busiest. In September [2025] we had 26 rescue requests in that month. There could be one or there could be 10 cats in a location for any specific request.”
Lucinda Stevens of Rocky Hill is a foster and an example of the dedication it takes to care for these animals.
“I like the pregnant mommies and the baby kitties. I’ve been with the rescue for two-plus years and I’ve lost count of how many cats have come through my home,” she joked.
The group calls her home the feline maternity ward.
Robidoux mentioned ongoing efforts to work towards creating a shelter to take the pressure off finding more fosters. All are volunteers and 98 percent are women. The group must respond to a growing list of rescue and adoption requests.
But those aren’t the only hurdles to overcome. Emergency care costs are rising.
“In 2025 our rescue efforts blew up. We rescued 230 cats for the year. We spent about $50,000 in veterinary expenses and $15,000 on five cats’ emergency medical care. With an increase in intakes our vet costs are skyrocketing and we don’t want to be put in a situation where we can’t help because we don’t have the funds,” Robidoux said.
That’s why they planned a “Whiskers & Wine” fundraiser event to be held May 2 at the Webb Barn on the property of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum. The wine tasting, decadent dessert and silent auction event is dedicated to benefit these crisis predicaments.
“Facebook fundraisers have been successful but we needed to expand. We needed to create an annual event designed for emergency medical needs,” Robidoux said. “By having it at the Webb Barn we’re paying homage to our heritage in Old Wethersfield.”
She is a former shop owner in Old Wethersfield.
Word of this rescue mission is spreading but not as fast the feral cat population is rising. People might not want kittens and Robidoux said cats as old as 7 have been adopted as they are a “don’t leave mom behind kind of rescue.”
This effort is cats only with a focus on finding forever homes. If someone offers the “I’m allergic to cats” excuse, Robidoux has a fast rebuttal.
“Kittens don’t produce dander so they don’t bother me. I take my medication. I wash my hands. I don’t touch my eyes. It doesn’t prevent me from helping cats in stress and in need,” she said. WL
For more information go to owkittenrescue.org.