Charles River Alleycats

08/08/2026

Happy International Cat Day! 😻🐾 Thank you to everyone who helps us help community cats. We're so grateful for you 🫶

07/07/2026

Hi! We recently rescued a mom and her newborn babies. Unfortunately she had some medical issues and had to be rushed to the ER twice. All is good now but if you’d like to help with the medical bills, please click the link below. Or just enjoy her story that comes with a happy ending.

A young mom cat had just given birth to four newborns when a medical emergency put her life at risk.

07/01/2026

Last week, a Milton resident posted that she'd been seeing a cat in her yard for about a week. She hadn't thought much of it—until her husband started moving a log pile. Suddenly, a frightened mama cat darted out...revealing four tiny kittens hidden underneath.

A local trapper dropped everything and drove over immediately.
When she arrived, landscapers and contractors were working just three feet away from where this little family was hiding under a few logs. Every loud machine, every passing airplane above, and every person in the area increased the chance that mama would panic and move her babies somewhere else. Time was of the essence.

A trap was set but mama had other plans. She circled the trap. She sniffed the trap. She walked right up to it...and refused to go inside.

Then Mother Nature joined the challenge. Rain. And more rain. The cat family was hunkered down. Finally, as the rain eased, the contractors packed up for the day, and darkness settled in, everything became quiet.

At 10:00 p.m., after 12 hours, mama made the decision we'd been waiting for. She walked into the trap. With mom safely secured, her four tiny babies were scooped up easily and reunited with mom. Everyone safe at last.

This is what rescue really looks like. It isn't glamorous. It's long days, late nights, unpredictable weather, endless patience, and never giving up on an animal that needs help.

If stories like this warm your heart, please consider making a donation to Charles River Alleycats. Your generosity allows us to answer the next call, save the next family, and give cats like this mama and her babies the future they deserve. We are all volunteers and your donations go directly to vet care for the animals. Or send us some food from our Chewy wishlist because Mama eats 6 cans a day!

https://givebutter.com/CRA-2025
https://www.chewy.com/g/charles-river-alleycats_b113515167

06/06/2026

SOS! MAYDAY!! TRAPS NEEDED!

We have received so many requests to rescue mom and kittens, however, we are backlogged because we don't have enough kitten traps to cover all the requests we are receiving.

Help us by donating to :

https://givebutter.com/CRA-2025

Or buy us a trap directly from trucatch :
https://www.trucatchtraps.com/giftr/registry/view/uid/WV1YC/K

THANK YOU!!!

05/07/2026

TRIGGER WARNING!! SENSITIVE CONTENT — Animal suffering/injury

Charles River Alleycats Rescue was alerted to a mom cat and kittens living in a yard after residents heard kittens crying throughout the night and reached out for help. Knowing it was an emergency, CRA responded ASAP.

At first, there was relief when rescuers found mama and her kittens still there safe together. But upon closer inspection, they discovered something heartbreaking — one of the kittens was stuck in a cruel glue trap.

The tiny kitten was terrified and struggling to free himself, only becoming more trapped as the adhesive pulled at his fur and skin. CRA immediately tried to help using olive oil, but the glue was too strong and the frightened kitten panicked as rescuers worked carefully to free him.

Once gently covered with a towel, he calmed down enough to be rushed to MSPCA for emergency care.

With mineral oil, patience, and incredible care, the veterinary team was finally able to free him from the trap.

The care team named him Gorilla — after Gorilla Glue.

Thankfully, Gorilla’s story had a happy ending. But most animals caught in glue traps are not so lucky.

Glue traps cause unimaginable suffering. Animals can tear off fur, skin, nails, and even limbs trying to escape. Many die slowly from dehydration, starvation, exhaustion, or shock. These traps don’t just harm rodents — kittens, birds, squirrels, rabbits, and even pets can become victims.

GLUE TRAPS should be outlawed. They are cruel, unnecessary, and inhumane.

If you or someone you know uses glue traps, please throw them away and help educate others about the suffering they cause. Humane alternatives exist.

Thanks to Charles River Alleycats Rescue and the MSPCA, Gorilla got the second chance he deserved.

Donate: https://givebutter.com/CRA-2025

04/11/2026

A kind woman who had worked with Charles River Alleycats a few months ago reached out to us again—and just in time.

While feeding her TNRed colony, she discovered a mama cat and her newborn kittens inside one of the shelters. Knowing how important it was to act quickly and quietly before mama moved them, she contacted us right away.

The rescue wasn’t easy. Mama refused to leave the shelter—even for tuna—and after an hour of trying, we had to switch plans. The trapper carefully secured the trap directly up against the shelter opening, while the caretaker gently nudged the shelter—hoping mama would run straight into the trap. It was risky. Very risky. So many things could have gone wrong. With everyone in position and hearts pounding… the plan was executed and IT WORKED!

Mama was safely trapped, and her two tiny kittens were rescued.

Now the family is safe indoors and reunited. Mama will stay with her babies until they’re old enough, then she’ll be spayed and returned to the caretaker who watches over her.

Charles River Alleycats is already on track to rescue more cats this year than ever before. We already have an unprecedented number of Mama and kitten rescues which is unusual for this time of year. For this reason, we would like to remind you that we rely on your donations to rescue these poor helpless creatures who are homeless due to human's irresponsibility.

Please consider donating : https://givebutter.com/CRA-2025

03/17/2026

An amazing volunteer from South Shore Humane Society was told about a mama cat and her tiny kittens living in a basement in Roxbury. Knowing time was of the essence, she quickly reached out to her friend who just happened to be a trapper with Charles River Alleycats—and together, a plan was set in motion.

With care and quick thinking, the tenant who had been looking out for the little family safely scooped up the kittens and placed them into a carrier. They had entered the basement through a hole in the door to be safe from predators and the cold. Then the smart mama hid the family under a tarp inside for even more safety. Meanwhile, Charles River Alleycats successfully trapped the cautious but friendly mama cat, ensuring the whole family could stay together.

From there, everyone made their way to South Shore Humane, where this sweet little family is now safe, warm, and being lovingly cared for in foster.

The family will remain together in foster care until the kittens are old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted into forever homes.

We’re so grateful for the compassion of the caretaker, the dedication of the volunteers and partnership between and . Because of all of you, this family has a second chance. 🐾💕

02/05/2026

Looking for a Valentine’s Day fundraiser with impact *and* humor?

Well, you’re in luck. Because for just $20, we will neuter your ex! Stopping reproduction is our specialty, after all. ✂️🙀

Science is powerful, and so is closure.

Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Donate $20 to our Valentine’s Fundraiser
2️⃣ Include your ex’s name (first names only, please—c’mon… we’re petty, not reckless!)
3️⃣ We’ll match their name to a feral cat we trap this month
4️⃣ That cat will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated at a local clinic through our humane TNR program

Don’t let heartbreak go to waste. Your romantic suffering could help stop the breeding cycle and protect community cats around Eastern Massachusetts!

Married to your high school sweetheart? Lucky you. Surely you know *someone* who deserves this recognition. 😏 Or just support TNR because it’s one of the most effective, humane ways to reduce homelessness and euthanasia.

👉 Donate here: https://givebutter.com/neuter-your-ex

02/02/2026

It Takes a Village 🐾

When we say rescue is a team sport, this is exactly what we mean.

Multiple people from Charles River Alleycats were alerted to a mama cat and her five tiny kittens in Roxbury. The temperatures were dropping fast, and time was absolutely not on our side.

Two trappers headed out ASAP during the day. They carefully set traps and were able to catch four of the kittens—making sure not to trap mom yet, because the babies were too little to survive without her especially in the cold weather. That left mama and one kitten still outside, with even colder nights ahead.

Because mom and the remaining kitten weren’t showing themselves during the day, another trapper jumped in to help. Night shifts began. After a couple of long, cold nights… success.
First, the kitten was trapped. And just hours later, mama followed. 💙

Along the way, two adult males were also trapped, helping the whole colony in the process.

Thanks to persistence, coordination, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of heart, everyone is now safe, warm, and in the care of Coastal Cat Rescue

This is what happens when people show up for animals who can’t ask for help themselves.
This is rescue.
This is community.
This is why it takes a village. 🐱❤️

01/15/2026

💔🐾 Emergency Kitten Rescue in Brockton 🐾💔

Earlier this week, a dedicated feeder in Brockton—someone Charles River Alleycats has worked with in the past—heard the unmistakable sound of a kitten crying in distress in his backyard. With frigid temperatures outside and knowing how fragile kittens can be, he didn’t hesitate. He quickly secured the tiny kitten in a carrier and rushed him to the home of a CRA trapper.

Once there, the kitten was warmed as best as possible and assessed. What we found was heartbreaking. The kitten was lethargic, freezing cold, heavily infested with fleas, and had a massive chunk of p**p stuck to his backside—larger than a golf ball. It was clear this baby was in serious trouble and needed emergency medical care immediately.

Another CRA volunteer stepped in and rushed the kitten to Tufts Emergency Veterinary Hospital. There, he was treated for hypothermia, flea infestation, and flea-related anemia, and placed in an incubator to safely warm up. Soon, he was flea-free and even started to eat—phew. It was determined he needed to stay overnight in the E/R for continued monitoring, warmth, and treatment.

This little one has a long road to recovery ahead, but Charles River Alleycats is absolutely up for the challenge. 💪 The emergency vet bill is close to $1,000, and we could really use your help. If you’re able, please consider donating to help cover the cost of this lifesaving care.

https://www.charlesriveralleycats.org/donate

Thank you for supporting CRA and for being part of the village that makes rescues like this possible. ❤️