Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids

Home
United States
Cedar Rapids, IA
Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids

Established in 2008, Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids is a 501c3 animal medical organization dedica Ellie’s plight became our inspiration. This is our passion!

Our Story

This is the story of how Critter Crusaders was founded. In Feb 2008, a two year old Siberian Husky named Ellie, was surrendered to the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter by her owner. Going blind from cataracts, the shelter was unable to afford the medical procedure that would restore her sight and make her adoptable. As shelter volunteers, we interacted with Ellie and could see the bleak real

ity of her future. She was one of countless other shelter animals in need of medical attention. Things became crystal clear to us. Homeless animals deserved access to medical care as a means to increase their adoptability and make them healthy. Our goal was set for Ellie. Raise the money and restore her sight. With the financial help of many generous people across Eastern Iowa, that goal was a success! Ellie received sight saving surgery in Ames. After recuperating, she was adopted in May 2008 by a family from Omaha, NE. On Friday, June 6th, 2008, Ellie and her family returned to Cedar Rapids to make an appearance at Grant Wood School to an all school assembly. They were there to say “Thank You” to the students who had helped raise funds for Ellie’s surgery. One week later, on Friday, June 13th, the Cedar River crested in a catastrophic event that changed lives forever. Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities experienced an epic flood, which wiped out the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter and displaced hundreds of pets from their homes. That disaster strengthened our conviction to help our local homeless animals. In February 2009, Triton, a 6-week-old puppy with a badly broken front leg, limped into the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. With the help of many doctors and a great foster family, we were able to facilitate a complex surgery that included growing new bone while in an external fixator device. From start to finish this was a 4 month commitment of time and resources, and once again the public responded to our request for financial help. Our non-profit was first formed in the name of Friends of Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. On March 19, 2009, we became an official 501c3. Later our name was officially changed to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids on April 21, 2011. Our role has greatly expanded over the years to include partnerships with local rescues and shelters in Eastern Iowa. We are committed to assisting homeless, abused and neglected animals with advanced medical care that saves lives, mends broken bodies and restores health, happiness and adoptability. A true second chance at life. The commitment to form Critter Crusaders came from Ellie. The vision we had for her then, is the mission we continue today. One dog and one horrible time in Iowa’s history inspired us to succeed on behalf of all local homeless animals. We exist to provide the care they desperately need and deserve.

09/13/2025

‼️EMERGENCY‼️DONATIONS DESPERATELY NEEDED‼️
‼️Graphic Photos‼️

Late last night, CC was contacted by Haley, a wonderful member of the Humane Society of Des Moines Co. In Burlington, IA. A tragic house fire occurred this past Monday and a kitten was severely burned. The homeowners were out of town, luckily. The kitten was found injured five days after the fire. Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids was called.

Haley volunteer to bring kitten Reba emergently to Blue Pearl in Cedar Rapids, where she was admitted and remains today. Her burn injuries include the face, ears, tummy and paw pads. They have stabilized her and she is receiving copious amounts of pain control. She does have a fever and Monday, surgeon Dr. Rhonda Aper will assess how much of that dead and infected skin will need to be removed. The doctors believe her eyes are ok at this point. Through her discomfort, Reba, estimated to be 4-5 months old is purring and making biscuits regardless of her circumstance.

Burn injuries are the worst. Reba will require multiple surgeries and bandage changes. Many days if not weeks of hospitalization but her will to survive surpasses any amount of pain or disability she suffers.

Critter Crusaders did not need this case. We are struggling with funds as It is. But how on earth do you turn down a case like this? We just can’t. Our hearts won’t let us. We fully expect this to be a HUGE case and bill….many thousands of dollars. We can expect Reba’s injuries to be at least six or more months to heal, if she survives. We are hopeful she will. Please help us help this kitten. 100% of your hard earned funds will go to Reba’s medical costs.

She is worth saving. She wants to live. we want her to. We thank you.💔🐾

Donations can also be made on our secure website at:
CritterCrusadersCR.Org. You can close your payment options including Venmo, Pay PAL, Apple and G Pay along with all majore credit cars at the time of check out.

09/12/2025

Update on kitten Peaches!

This youngster came to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids as an owner surrender. A wonderful man named Bruce took this stray kitten in about a month ago. His own cat was not pleased with the new addition, though. On Friday August 29th, Peaches became gravely ill. He took her to Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids and that is where our story begins with her.

After a phone call looking for help with this pretty girl, CC took her case. Peaches had a very high fever, lethargy and anorexia. Our fear was FIP or FIV in a young cat under a year of age. The doctors went to work on her with X-rays, lab work, blood cultures and they began to treat her for mycoplasma. This is a blood bacteria that can be fatal in dogs and cats and is alway high on the differential list as a culprit of fevers of unknown origin. Peaches was admitted and received critical care for several day. She responded very well to treatment fo mycoplasma.

Peaches was released on Sept. 2nd to Blue Pearl veterinary technician Decoda Ender who has done a remarkable job attending to her medications and monitoring. Peaches has absolutely morphed into the wonderful kitty that Bruce said she was! She is amazing! We will have a recheck soon on this beautiful young lady but for now, all systems are go for a full recovery! Once she is released from CC’s care, she will be adoptable through our great friends at A Purposeful Life Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. We thank everyone who donated to her almost $4000 critical care bill. It was so worth it! More to come on Peaches return to health and happiness!❤️🐱🐾

09/11/2025

We have so many pet patients to catch you up on over the next couple of days!

Little Summit, with our friends at Cedar Valley Pit Bull Rescue has come a long way since his life-saving critical care hospitalization at Iowa State University Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital, through Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. This puppy dynamo was in the fatal grip of severe respiratory distress from bilateral pneumonia when we took his emergency case. Summit was seen two weeks ago at Premier Animal Wellness & Surgery in Independence for a recheck post hospitalization. Tomorrow he returns to Dr. Gray for chest X-rays to make sure everything is on track for his full recovery.

Veterinary medicine amazes us each and every day and so do all of you…our dear friends, supporters and advocates. Without your prayers and donations, we would not have been able to save this kid. What an amazing team! We will update you all on tomorrow’s appointment and if everything looks good, Summit will be released from our medical care and onto his new, healthy life! That is what we wish for all pets.❤️🐾

09/08/2025

Read Kim from our great friends at Paws of Hope Animal Rescue accounting of Tinkers amazing last 36 hours of rescue! ❤️

🌽🐾 Cat in the Cornfield: Tinkerbell’s Safe Return! 🐾🌽

After days of searching, sweet Tinkerbell has been found and is now heading back home to Missouri! 💕

Her devoted mom refused to give up and was back out searching first thing this morning. When we arrived today, we heard the corn rustling 🌽—and just then, Jan from Critter Crusaders called to say Lisa had Tinkerbell in her arms! Moments later, Lisa walked out of the cornfield, safe and relieved, with Tinkerbell. 💖

Tinkerbell is now secured in her carrier and on her way back home where she belongs. 🏡❤️

This was truly a community effort, and we are so grateful for all the organizations that pulled together in the last 24 hours:
🐶 Critter Crusaders
🐶 Fur Fun Rescue
🐶 S.A.I.N.T Rescue
🐶 Cedar Valley Humane Society
🐶 MADR
🐶 Iowa Humane Alliance

Together, we turned heartache into hope. 💕

09/08/2025

❤️TINKER BELL HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE IOWA CORNFIELD❤️

They are happily headed home to Missouri! More to come! Yay! ❤️

09/08/2025

We have an update on the kitty who jumped out of a car on highway 13 in Cedar Rapids Sunday. Tinkerbell.

To recap, Tinker bell jumped from her mom's moving vehicle when German Shepherd Ace, stepped on the automatic window control. They were traveling on Hwy 13 in CR from Wisconsin to Missouri. This happened at 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids received a frantic phone call from Lisa, who had been there all night looking for her kitty. We responded immediately to the scene to assist. Our first call was to Kim from Paws of Hope Animal Rescue. This organization specializes in animal recovery. No one does it better. They arrived mid afternoon with traps and trail cams. Lisa and CC searched the cornfield prior to that. Our fear was that Tinker sustained injuries and might be immobile.

From there, many other organizations were contacted by CC for assistance. By 7pm Sunday night, we had the additional following animal rescues/shelters on scene.
S.A.I.N.T. Rescue (Saving Animals in Need Today)
Fur Fun Rescue
Cedar Valley Humane Society
Iowa Humane Alliance

Matt at MADR MEDIA / Midwest Aerial Drone Recovery arrived at 7:30pm, flying grid patterns across the cornfield until 10:30pm. No sightings from the air. Major thanks to Matt for a late, cold night assisting this sad situation.

Before the arrival of the groups mentioned above, Tinker was spotted at the edge of the cornfield by her mom, Lisa. CC and Paws assisted Lisa in an attempt to capture Tinker, but proved unsuccessful. At the very least we know she is alive and appearing remarkably uninjured.

Our organizations will continue to monitor and search for Tinker through the use of cameras, traps and minimally invasive search efforts. We want her to stay in the area. We feel that she will if she is not disturbed.
Lisa will travel back home to Missouri and we will continue to keep everyone advised. The last thing we want to do is chase this girl onto very busy Highway 13.

We can not thank the above mentioned rescues enough for their teamwork and response to our requests for assistance. This Eastern Iowa/CR area has long been known for our wonderfully cooperative organizational efforts on behalf of the unfortunate pets that we all serve. That reputation is well deserved. We also thank all of you as well for your advocacy, care and concern.
Now let's get Tinker bell home. ❤️🐱🐾

09/08/2025

‼️Please note an additional adjustment in Blue Pearl CR’s Emergency Schedule impacting ER Services today, Monday Sept. 8th. Hours are 7am with closing at 11pm.‼️

09/07/2025

Searching for Tinker bell. Paws of Hope Animal Rescue is now on scene. 5:51pm.❤️

09/07/2025

Drone needed! DRONE FOUND! THANK YOU.
Please call Jan at 319-350-8295 only if you are available to come out.
We received a phone call from a frantic lady who was traveling from Missouri to Wisconsin. At about 12:30am this morning, her Kitty jumped out of the moving vehicle around the Bertram Highway 30 and 151 area.

Critter Crusaders is on scene and this Kitty is in a cornfield. Linn County Sheriff's Department assisted last night and they did spot the kitty but we're unable to get it. We have also notified Kim at Paws of Hope. We are looking for a drone.

If anyone has access to a drone to come out before dusk we sure would appreciate it. I have linked In the location. The kitty's name is Tinker bell.
Shared location
https://www.google.com/maps/place/41.93240,-91.54406/

09/05/2025

In memory of John Gibson.❤️🐾
This is from Critter Crusaders own Deb Bowers. Deb has been with CC for at least the past 15 years. We recently suffered a tragedy with the sudden loss of Deb’s life partner, John Gibson. John was an important part of our organization as well. He was a Cedar Rapids Police Officer who lived a life of service to others. John leaves us with his legacy of love of animals and kindness towards all. Deb has donated all of the funds collected at his celebration of life to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. We can not thank her enough. God bless our John and Deb.❤️🐾

From Deb:
“Animals were always an important part of John’s life. His love for them stretched from the hunting fields to the comfort of the couch—there wasn’t an animal he didn’t respect and cherish. In his honor, I have donated 100% of the memorial contributions to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, a cause that was very dear to him. I know John would be happy to know that he is helping homeless and injured animals find healing and the care they deserve”.

If you would like to add to this memorial, donations may be made at www.crittercrusaderscr.org

09/04/2025

‼️Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids Emergency Service Sept. 2025 ER Schedule.‼️
Here are the dates of Emergency Service (ER) Closures in September 2025 at Blue Pearl Cedar Rapids! Red slash marks denote days with interrupted or no ER Service.
All other specialties at the hospital are open Monday through Thursday/Friday, including Dermatology, Internal Medicine and Surgery. We thank Blue Pearl for posting their schedule to the public each month!
HERE IS A LIST OF CLINICS THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO ASSIST when CR Blue Pearl ER Service is closed. PLEASE CALL FIRST.
—————————————————————————————————
*Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails Open Monday -Friday 8
am-8pm. NOW OPEN BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY from 8am-6pm. Except for Holidays.
Call 319-351-4256.
——————————————————————————-
*Blue Pearl Pet Hospital Des Moines open 24/7. 515-
727-4872. PLEASE CALL AHEAD.
——————————————————————————-
*Anamosa Vet Clinic might take after hours
Emergency’s depending on the case. 319-462-4853
please call ahead.
——————————————————————————-
*IVS Des Moines 24/7 ER Open. 515-280-3100.
PLEASE CALL AHEAD.
———————————————————————————
*Iowa State ER Service 515-294-4900. Please call
ahead for approval.
———————————————————————————
*Somerset Vet Clinic in Ames. M-Friday URGENT CARE Until 10pm.
Please call ahead. 515-292-0400.
——————————————————————————————
*Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities. 5pm-8
am Monday through Thursday. Friday 5pm-Midnight.
Saturday and Sunday open 24 hours. Please call
ahead. 563-344-9599.
——————————————————————————————
*Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo
If you are a CURRENT, ACTIVE CLIENT at this hospital, Den Herder will take after hours emergency call. ONLY if you are a current active client, however.
319-232-5292.
—————————————————————————————————

09/03/2025

Fall Mini’s Photo Fundraiser is back! Please help us share!
Hard to believe but it is that time of year again! Sign up for the most affordable professional photo session imaginable with the very talented Taylor Merritt at Merritt Photography!

Taylor does this fundraising event for Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids every year! Please help us make this a success for the homeless, medically challenged pets that we serve. ❤️🐾

Address

PO Box 10111
Cedar Rapids, IA
52410

Telephone

+13193508295

Website

http://www.crittercrusaderscr.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service in Cedar Rapids?

Our Story

Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids is a 501c3 animal medical organization dedicated to providing medical care for the homeless shelter and rescue animals throughout Eastern Iowa.

The Story of How Critter Crusaders was Founded

In Feb 2008, a two year old Siberian Husky named Ellie, was surrendered to the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter by her owner. Going blind from cataracts, the shelter was unable to afford the medical procedure that would restore her sight and make her adoptable. Ellie’s plight became our inspiration.

As shelter volunteers, we interacted with Ellie and could see the bleak reality of her future. She was one of countless other shelter animals in need of medical attention. Things became crystal clear to us. Homeless animals deserved access to medical care as a means to increase their adoptability and make them healthy. Our goal was set for Ellie. Raise the money and restore her sight. With the financial help of many generous people across Eastern Iowa, that goal was a success!

Ellie received sight saving surgery in Ames. After recuperating, she was adopted in May 2008 by a family from Omaha, NE. On Friday, June 6th, 2008, Ellie and her family returned to Cedar Rapids to make an appearance at Grant Wood School to an all school assembly. They were there to say “Thank You” to the students who had helped raise funds for Ellie’s surgery.

One week later, on Friday, June 13th, the Cedar River crested in a catastrophic event that changed lives forever. Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities experienced an epic flood, which wiped out the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter and displaced hundreds of pets from their homes. That disaster strengthened our conviction to help our local homeless animals.

In February 2009, Triton, a 6-week-old puppy with a badly broken front leg, limped into the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. With the help of many doctors and a great foster family, we were able to facilitate a complex surgery that included growing new bone while in an external fixator device. From start to finish this was a 4 month commitment of time and resources, and once again the public responded to our request for financial help.

Our non-profit was first formed in the name of Friends of Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter. On March 19, 2009, we became an official 501c3. Later our name was officially changed to Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids on April 21, 2011.

Our role has greatly expanded over the years to include partnerships with local rescues and shelters in Eastern Iowa. We are committed to assisting homeless, abused and neglected animals with advanced medical care that saves lives, mends broken bodies and restores health, happiness and adoptability. A true second chance at life.

The commitment to form Critter Crusaders came from Ellie. The vision we had for her then, is the mission we continue today. One dog and one horrible time in Iowa’s history inspired us to succeed on behalf of all local homeless animals. We exist to provide the care they desperately need and deserve.

This is our passion!