About Us
Who is RAINS CAT RESCUE?
We are a nonprofit cat rescue in Columbus, Ohio, devoted to one simple idea: every cat deserves safety, care, and the chance at a loving home.
Our Story and Our Work
RAINS CAT RESCUE was created to answer a need that exists in every community: cats who fall through the cracks. They are the kittens born under porches to unsterilized mothers, the cats left behind in empty apartments, the strays who once knew a home and lost it, and the shy cats who need more time and patience than a busy shelter can give.
Based at 1833 Ferntree Rd in Columbus, we work with cats and kittens in need throughout our community. Our approach centers on foster-based care — cats live in real homes with dedicated caregivers rather than in cages, which lets them decompress, heal, and show us who they really are. That knowledge makes for better adoption matches and happier outcomes for cats and families alike.
Our work doesn't end at our own doors. We invest in education because an informed community prevents the crises we respond to: we teach cat-care basics, explain humane approaches to community cats, promote spay/neuter, and help people make decisions that keep cats safely in homes.
Our Mission
To improve outcomes for cats in need through rescue, compassionate care, adoption, foster support, and community education — and to reduce future suffering by promoting responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter, and humane solutions for community cats.
Our Vision
We envision a community where every cat is valued: where pet cats are safely indoors and well cared for, where community cats are humanely managed, where adoption is the norm, and where no cat suffers for lack of knowledge, resources, or compassion.
Why Cat Rescue Matters
Cats are among the most numerous companion animals in the United States — and among the most vulnerable. Unsterilized cats reproduce quickly, shelters fill beyond capacity, and outdoor cats face injury, illness, and harsh weather. Rescue organizations exist to catch the cats who fall through this system, give them care and dignity, and find them homes. Just as importantly, rescue gives people a way to help: adoption, fostering, volunteering, and education all turn concern into action.
How We Work
Rescue and care. We take in cats and kittens whose circumstances have left them without safety, and we ensure they receive appropriate care — including veterinary attention through licensed professionals — before adoption.
Foster-based model. Foster homes are the heart of our rescue. In a home, we learn each cat's personality, preferences, and needs — information that makes adoption matches more successful.
Thoughtful adoption. We get to know adopters and cats alike, and we prioritize fit over speed. A good match is one that lasts for the cat's entire life.
Community involvement. We welcome volunteers, support community members who find cats in need, and share educational resources freely — because rescue works best when the whole community participates.
Looking ahead. Our goals include growing our foster network, expanding our educational programs, and deepening our support for community cats — always guided by what genuinely helps cats most.
Our Values
Compassion First
Every cat who enters our care is treated as an individual with their own history, needs, and personality — never as a number.
Humane Treatment
We believe all cats — owned, stray, or community cats — deserve humane treatment and freedom from suffering.
Responsible Placement
Adoption is about matching, not just moving cats. We take time to place cats in homes where they can truly thrive.
Prevention
We promote spay/neuter and responsible pet ownership because preventing suffering matters as much as responding to it.
Education
An informed community keeps more cats in homes and fewer cats in crisis. Sharing knowledge is core to our work.
Honesty & Transparency
We communicate openly about what we do, what we know, and what we don't — trust is the foundation of rescue.
Leadership & Transparency
RAINS CAT RESCUE is a registered nonprofit organization, EIN 87-3472154, located at 1833 Ferntree Rd, Columbus, OH 43219. We believe transparency builds trust, and we are committed to openness about our mission, our programs, and our operations.
As our organization grows, we will publish leadership information, impact metrics, and financial details on our Impact & Transparency page as they are officially available. We would rather share verified information a little later than unverified information right away.
Questions about our organization? We welcome them — reach us at 614-336-4622 or through our contact page.
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.