Lenawee County Cat Rescue Seeks Public Support Ahead of Busy Season

Little Mews Rescue in Adrian says it needs at least $150,000 to sustain operations and care for growing number of cats.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:51pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of a cat playing with a toy in a warm, softly-lit room, conveying the gentle, comforting atmosphere of the cat rescue.The volunteers at Little Mews Rescue work tirelessly to provide a nurturing environment for the growing number of cats in their care.Adrian Today

Little Mews Rescue in Adrian, Michigan is asking the public for financial and volunteer support as the cat rescue heads into its busiest time of year. The rescue currently houses over 250 cats and is in urgent need of at least $150,000 to cover rising costs, especially for medical care and daily supplies like cat food and litter. The rescue is also seeking more volunteers to help with the expected influx of kittens during the spring and summer months.

Why it matters

Cat rescues play a vital role in providing care and finding homes for abandoned and stray felines, but they often struggle with limited resources, especially during peak seasons. Little Mews Rescue's plea for public support highlights the ongoing challenges these organizations face in meeting the community's need for animal welfare services.

The details

Little Mews Rescue in Adrian, Michigan currently houses over 250 cats, with about 20 ready for adoption. Volunteer Hayley Baross said rising costs, especially for medical care, are putting a strain on the rescue's resources. In addition to financial support, the rescue is seeking more volunteers to help with daily operations and an expected influx of kittens during the spring and summer months. Founder and director Dona Olsen said the rescue also needs to complete renovations on its building, adding to the financial burden.

  • Little Mews Rescue is heading into its busiest time of year, known as 'kitten season', when intake requests increase significantly.
  • The rescue currently houses over 250 cats and is in urgent need of at least $150,000 to sustain operations.

The players

Little Mews Rescue

A cat rescue organization located in Adrian, Michigan that provides care and adoption services for abandoned and stray felines.

Hayley Baross

A volunteer at Little Mews Rescue who manages the constant routine of feeding, cleaning, and providing care for the cats at the facility.

Dona Olsen

The founder and director of Little Mews Rescue, who oversees the rescue's operations and is working to complete renovations on the building.

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What they’re saying

“We are in desperate need of funds. We have a bunch of medical cases that are pretty expensive and a little bit more dire than just regular spay and neuter surgeries.”

— Hayley Baross, Volunteer

“We go through tons of cat litter and tons of cat food, and that is our biggest need. Donations are always accepted on our website.”

— Hayley Baross, Volunteer

“We need at least two or three volunteers a day to come in here and help just take care of the cats, clean up, make sure they have food and water, take them out and play with them, make sure they're socialized and exercised.”

— Dona Olsen, Founder and Director

“I would say at least $150,000, because a building this big needs a lot of work and it needs to be done.”

— Dona Olsen, Founder and Director

What’s next

Little Mews Rescue is actively seeking financial donations and volunteers to help with the increased demand for their services during the upcoming kitten season.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by animal rescue organizations like Little Mews Rescue, which rely on community support to provide vital care and services for abandoned and stray cats. The rescue's urgent need for funding and volunteers underscores the importance of public engagement in sustaining these essential community resources.