Rescue
We respond to cats and kittens in need — strays, abandoned cats, and cats whose circumstances have left them without a safe place to go.
Cat rescue in Columbus, Ohio
Helping Cats Find Safety, Care, and Loving Homes
RAINS CAT RESCUE exists for the cats who have nowhere else to turn — the stray kitten under a porch, the cat left behind when a family moves, the senior cat who suddenly needs a new home. Through rescue, foster care, adoption, education, and community support, we help cats move from uncertain circumstances into safe, loving homes. We also believe prevention matters: by promoting spay/neuter, responsible pet ownership, and humane care for community cats, we work toward a future where fewer cats ever need rescuing. Every adopter, foster family, volunteer, and donor makes that work possible.
Who We Are
A community rescue, built on compassion
RAINS CAT RESCUE is a nonprofit cat rescue based in Columbus, Ohio. We focus on the cats who are most often overlooked: strays, abandoned cats, kittens born outdoors, and cats whose families can no longer care for them. Our work begins with safety and care, and it continues through thoughtful adoption matching — because a rescue isn't finished when a cat is safe. It's finished when a cat is home.
We are equally committed to the people side of rescue. We help adopters prepare for success, support foster families with guidance, share reliable cat-care education, and teach our community about humane solutions for outdoor cats. Rescue works best when the whole community is part of it.
How We Help
Rescue is more than a single moment
From the first rescue call to the day a cat settles into an adoptive home — and far beyond — our work covers every step of the journey.
Veterinary Care Coordination
Cats in our care receive appropriate veterinary attention through licensed veterinary professionals before joining adoptive homes.
Foster Care
Our network of foster homes gives cats a calm, safe place to decompress, heal, and show their true personalities.
Adoption
We thoughtfully match cats with adopters whose homes, lifestyles, and expectations fit each cat's individual needs.
Community Education
We share practical cat-care knowledge so more cats stay healthy, understood, and in their homes.
Spay/Neuter Awareness
We promote sterilization as the single most effective way to reduce the number of cats entering shelters and living on the streets.
Community Cat Support
We educate the public about humane, evidence-informed approaches to outdoor cats, including Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
Volunteer Engagement
We welcome community members into meaningful roles — from hands-on cat care to photography, transport, and outreach.
Cats Looking for Homes
Your new best friend may be waiting
The cats in our care change as cats are rescued and adopted, and we don't publish a live listing here. The best way to meet our current adoptable cats is to reach out directly — tell us about your home, your household, and what you're looking for, and we'll introduce you to cats who could be a wonderful match.
Foster a Cat
Foster families give cats a calm home environment where they can recover, grow, and prepare for adoption. A spare room and a little patience can change a cat's entire future.
Become a Foster
Volunteer
From cat care and adoption events to photography, transport, and administrative help, volunteers power everything we do. There's a role for almost every skill.
Volunteer With UsSupport the Rescue
Community support helps cover the everyday realities of rescue: food, litter, supplies, transportation, foster support, and preparing cats for adoption.
DonateCat Care Education
Knowledge keeps cats in homes
Many cats are surrendered for problems that are entirely solvable: litter box issues, scratching, introductions gone wrong, or simple misunderstandings about what cats need. Our Cat Care guide covers feeding, hydration, litter boxes, enrichment, grooming, safe indoor environments, introducing cats, kittens, seniors, and more — written for real households, not textbooks.
We also teach the community about outdoor cats: what community cats are, how TNR humanely stabilizes populations, and what to do when you find a stray cat or kittens.
Latest Articles
From the RAINS CAT RESCUE blog
August 10, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Prepare Your Home for a New Rescue Cat
Bringing home a rescue cat is exciting — and a little preparation goes a long way. Here's how to set up your home so your new companion feels safe from day one.
Read MoreAugust 3, 2026 · 6 min read
What New Cat Adopters Should Know
First-time cat adopter? Learn what to expect in the first days, weeks, and months — from decompression and litter boxes to budgets and veterinary care.
Read MoreJuly 27, 2026 · 6 min read
Why Foster Homes Matter in Cat Rescue
Foster caregivers are the quiet engine of cat rescue. Learn how opening your home temporarily changes outcomes for cats — and why fostering might be right for you.
Read MoreWhy Rescue Matters
Every cat's story deserves a safe next chapter
Cats end up needing rescue for reasons that say nothing about who they are. Families move and can't take their pets. Owners pass away or face illness. Kittens are born to unsterilized outdoor cats. A frightened pet slips out a door and is never found. A cat develops a solvable behavior problem in a home that didn't know where to turn for help.
Without rescue organizations, these cats face hunger, illness, injury, and overburdened shelters. With rescue, they get something different: safety, care, time to decompress, and a thoughtful path to a new home. Rescue also protects the wider community — humane population management through spay/neuter and TNR means fewer kittens born outdoors and fewer cats suffering in the future.
Rescue is ultimately a community effort. It exists because adopters open their homes, fosters open their spare rooms, volunteers give their time, donors give what they can, and neighbors look out for the cats in their own neighborhoods. There is a place in this work for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about adopting, fostering, volunteering, and helping cats. For more, visit our full FAQ page.
Where is RAINS CAT RESCUE located?
We are based at 1833 Ferntree Rd, Columbus, OH 43219, and we serve cats and community members in Columbus and the surrounding area.
How do I adopt a cat?
Start on our Adopt page to learn how our process works, then submit an adoption inquiry. We'll talk with you about your household and help match you with a cat whose personality and needs fit your life.
What does fostering involve?
Foster caregivers provide temporary in-home care — food, litter, a safe space, socialization, and communication with our team — until cats are ready for adoption. Visit our Foster page to learn more and apply.
I found a cat outside. What should I do?
Observe first: the cat may be a neighbor's pet, a lost cat, or a managed community cat. Our Lost & Found Cats page walks you through safe, step-by-step guidance.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Our EIN is 87-3472154. We make no claims about the tax treatment of donations; please consult a tax professional regarding your specific situation.
How can I help if I can't adopt or foster?
Volunteering, donating, sharing educational resources, and spreading the word about responsible pet ownership all make a real difference. Visit our Volunteer and Donate pages to get started.
Get cat-care tips and rescue updates
Join our newsletter for practical cat-care advice, adoption news, and ways to help cats in Columbus. We never share your email address with third parties.
Ready to make a difference for a cat?
Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, or give, every action helps a cat move closer to safety and a loving home.