We give high-risk expecting queens and orphaned kittens a voice by offering them a second chance at life.

When a rescue determines it would be in the best interest of their organization to euthanize a kitten/s due to treatable health concerns (ringworm, pneumonia, panleukopenia, feline infectious peritonitis, etc.) we ask they first contact us to ensure we are not already at capacity.

We do not [normally] TNR (trap/neuter/return) as we currently have a staff of two, and we are plenty busy working our full-time careers and saving these sick kittens that we are unable to extend our scope into the world of TNR. However, we actively practice our version of ‘TNR’ by ensuring that expecting queens come here to have their last litter and that each and every kitten is fully vaccinated and spay/neutered prior to being placed up for adoption. We also assist those with low/no income by offering to vaccinate and microchip their fur-babies at no charge and spay/neuter at our cost.

During intake, we assess of the degree of care each kitten is going to need. They are cleaned, receive the first of three B12 injections, checked for anemia/stomatitis, dehydration, and ear mites, then gently bathed to remove any/all fleas. Depending on the severity of illness, initial introduction to food could happen prior to intake process. Then, they are placed in their own area for a three-week quarantine or until it’s safe for them to begin the socialization process (whichever is longer).

When kittens are old enough, or while they undergo treatment, they are dewormed because we know how susceptible kitties are to parasites. Once they are healthy, we start their vaccination series, and once they make weight they are spayed/neutered.

Each room in the house has a different purpose used to achieve our mission. From the bathrooms for initial quarantine, birthing rooms, and litter box training, to the spare bedrooms used for kittens requiring treatments (depending on the level of care or disease). The main office has been converted to an IUC, which holds multiple Brooders (incubators) for neonatal kittens who are critically sick or orphaned and in need of a temperature-controlled environment. The dining room is the Socialization Station, where kittens learn to get along with other kittens who are not their littermates. The kitchen is used as the primary treatment center, which we hope to one day save up enough for new countertops that don’t double as a large petri dish.

Once their health has improved, and they are able to socialize, we play with them and get them used to being around people. When they are ready to be adopted, we send the information to the shelter. At this point, all the adoptions go through the shelter/rescue. We take special care in making sure that the kitten isn’t returned to the shelter, potential adopters pick the kitten up from us.

At CCKC of Lacey, we believe feeling good starts on the inside, but it isn’t complete unless the outside matches, but we only groom cats/kittens for the three F’s: Fleas, Fungus (ringworm or yeast), or Filth.

A bath is with soap and water, but we go steeps beyond. We lovingly groom them.

We take every measure to minimize their stress level while they are bathed, dried, nails clipped, sanitary clipped, and fur shaped (if necessary).