Oakland TNR Coalition

Oakland TNR Coalition Visit our website for more information!

Oakland TNR Coalition is a volunteer-run, foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit cat rescue founded in 2019 with a focus on TNVR in Oakland, Pittsburgh and surrounding city neighborhoods.

As Volunteer Appreciation Week wraps up, we want to give a massive THANK YOU to everyone who makes our work possible—fro...
04/26/2025

As Volunteer Appreciation Week wraps up, we want to give a massive THANK YOU to everyone who makes our work possible—from our core team to our fosters and volunteers. Whether you’re helping with transporting, trapping, fostering, running adoptions, taking care of Petco cats, or doing any of the million things in between, we truly couldn’t do this without you.

These are just a few of the incredible faces behind the scenes who have helped us change the lives of around 750 cats and kittens since our start in fall of 2019. That includes nearly 600 adoptions and 136 TNRs (we’ll admit we’re best at the “R,” but hey, fewer cats on the streets is always a win!).

Thank you for being the heart of this work. We appreciate you more than words can say.

GUESSING GAME TIME!Our Greenfield momma and 7 adorable all-orange kittens are doing well in foster — and now we want you...
04/24/2025

GUESSING GAME TIME!

Our Greenfield momma and 7 adorable all-orange kittens are doing well in foster — and now we want you to guess how many girls are in the bunch!

Drop your guesses in the comments below!
(If you know orange cats… you know this might be tricky!)

Once we reveal their sexes, we’ll be kicking off a Naming Contest Fundraiser—you’ll get a chance to help name these cuties and support our rescue efforts. So stay tuned, you won’t want to miss it!

Ready, set… GUESS!

Meet our second momma and kittens of the season! Last week we mentioned being able to help a little family in Swissvale ...
04/24/2025

Meet our second momma and kittens of the season!

Last week we mentioned being able to help a little family in Swissvale thanks to the folks who stepped up to foster. Momma Cappuccino’s babies were found snuggled up in a cat tree, nearly the perfect spot to catch her. Last Wednesday, we set the trap up at the opening and within 30 minutes she was in!

On day two in rescue, momma seemed disinterested in nursing, and her energy was off. Thankfully, she finally fed the babies that night, but we took her to the vet Saturday just to be safe. She got antibiotics (and had to be sedated for the exam—$345.05!), and she’s now back home, caring for her babies.

The kittens — Affogato, Cortado, and Mocha — are doing okay, but we’re keeping a close watch. A couple have crusty eyes, which the fosters are treating with warm compresses and terramycin. The tiniest one isn’t gaining weight like the others, so they’re also doing supplemental feedings to give them the best shot. Sadly, there was one deceased kitten in their original shelter, so we’re being extra cautious.

Last week we also TNR’d a tom from the colony. There are just a few more cats to fix that we’re working on this week!

We’re stretched thin with kitten season ramping up, and donations or supplies would mean the world right now!

Donate to support momma’s and the babies care:
Venmo: venmo.com/u/OaklandTNR
PayPal: paypal.me/oaklandtnrcoalition
Givebutter: bit.ly/otnrc_donate

Send supplies (we especially need non-clumping newspaper litter, kitten wet and dry food, and potty pads):
Chewy wishlist: bit.ly/otnrc_chewylist
Amazon wishlist: amzn.to/4c7DMG1

Want to make a real difference? Become a foster!
bit.ly/otnrc_foster

We’re less than 2 weeks away from our 3rd Annual Cats N Tats Flash Tattoo Fundraiser with PMA Tattoo at Abjuration Brewi...
04/22/2025

We’re less than 2 weeks away from our 3rd Annual Cats N Tats Flash Tattoo Fundraiser with PMA Tattoo at Abjuration Brewing + Parkway Theater!

And this just in… THE FLASH IS HERE!
Swipe to see the fresh designs from 5 incredible artists who are donating their time (and killer skills) to support the cause again this year.

But wait—there’s more:
DJ Johnny Marco will be spinning all day, plus delicious eats from ShadoBeni, Safari Eats, and Pupusas Helen to keep you fueled.

We’ll also have handmade, blown glass art from Headtriiip Glass available for purchase, AND our rescue merch and goodies — with 100% of merch proceeds going to support the cats.

So mark your calendars: Sunday, May 4th
Tattoos. Beer. Food. Music. Cats. You don’t wanna miss it.

*Reminders
- Tattoo will be on a first come, first serve basis. Check in will be at PMA, folks will then be directed to Abjuration/Parkway Theater to await their tattoo time. Flash will range $80-120 depending on size. Venmo or Paypal preferred.
- Raffles will be CASH only. 1 ticket for $2, 5 tickets for $8, or 10 tickets for $15. Winners will be drawn and contacted by the end of the event at 9:00 pm.
- Abjuration Brewing will be donating $1 for every pint and .50 for every half pour that day!

Meet Pierogi! Rescued from a small colony in Carrick, Pierogi is a very small but lovely cat. She is more than ready to ...
04/18/2025

Meet Pierogi! Rescued from a small colony in Carrick, Pierogi is a very small but lovely cat. She is more than ready to find her permanent home.

This girl is a very chatty girl who demands a lot of affection. Always making biscuits, Pierogi is quick to warm up. She absolutely loves some good scratches and practically throws herself into your hands. While not a fan of being held traditionally, she will happily take a ride on your shoulders. She is not super playful but loves to climb and cause mischievous chaos. She will find the highest shelf to nap on, and make sure to explore each and every shelf, window sill, and countertop. She spends her free time window watching and climbing up and down anywhere she can reach.

Pierogi can entertain herself and doesn't need a feline companion, but she will tolerate another polite cat in the home with slow introduction. She is also okay with dogs. She seems to be a bit anxious in the dark, so she behaves best with a nightlight or the TV on at night, especially when she's first adjusting to your home.

Pierogi is about a year and half old, spayed, vaccinated, flea treated, dewormed, microchipped, and tested FIV/FeLV negative. She is available at the Waterfront (Homestead) Petco Adoption Center.

Three awesome previous fosters of ours have reached out to offer foster homes for the orange momma and her seven little ...
04/17/2025

Three awesome previous fosters of ours have reached out to offer foster homes for the orange momma and her seven little orange babies — and we are SO grateful!

It’s no surprise this family caught some attention, orange cats do have a very dedicated fan club! Thankfully, the outpouring of support meant we could say yes to taking in a mom and her three kittens from Swissvale we trapped today. We’re also glad to now have another foster lined up for the next inevitable litter. Every season, we’re short on foster homes for nursing moms and babies, and we’re glad to grow that capacity this year. We now have 3 mommas and babies in foster care!

That said, while kitten season is in full swing and everyone’s swooning over the babies, we’re still in urgent need of fosters for adults. We still need placement for the adult cats who came in with this group, and we’re constantly fielding messages about adult cats on the street who need a safe place to land.

Whether you can take in a spicy litter, a semi-feral adult, or a single, sweet adult — we need you. Our rescue runs on community support, and we can’t do this without you!

Ready to foster? Drop us a message or apply through the link below!

Foster application —> bit.ly/otnrc_foster

*Please note that all resident pets in the home must be spayed/neutered and current on vaccinations. Any OTNRC fosters will need to be kept separate from resident pets unless otherwise stated.*

Over the weekend, we were contacted about a situation in Greenfield that got out of hand fast — as these things often do...
04/15/2025

Over the weekend, we were contacted about a situation in Greenfield that got out of hand fast — as these things often do. A kind woman had taken in two unfixed adult cats, not realizing how quickly the situation could escalate. In just 1.5 years, those two cats turned into over 15.

At only 2.5 years old, mom had already had three litters. A few kittens were given away to friends, but when they couldn’t find more good homes, the family knew they needed help. We had just posted about the risks of giving away unfixed cats and kittens, so we’re grateful they reached out before things got worse — this could’ve easily been 30-40 cats in no time.

In addition to momma cat, we took in the remaining cats from her first litter (1–1.5 yrs old — an orange & white boy and a dilute calico), two orange twin boys from her second litter (~6 months old,), and her current litter of 7 tiny babies (~1 week old).

The family is keeping their original boy and we’ll be helping to get him neutered.

This is such a clear example of how quickly things can spiral when you don’t know where to turn — and how important access to spay/neuter resources really is. Two cats can become 20 before you even realize it. If you or someone you know is overwhelmed or unsure what to do, reach out. There is help!

We’re urgently looking for foster homes to help care for these sweet cats and kittens. If you’ve ever thought about fostering — now’s the time. We provide supplies, support, and guidance, you provide the love.

We also need donations as we now have 12 new mouths to feed. Any contribution helps us provide food, medical care, and a safe space for these kitties!

Become a foster: bit.ly/otnrc_foster

Send some supplies:
Chewy wishlist—> bit.ly/otnrc_chewylist�Amazon wishlist—> amzn.to/4c7DMG1

Make a donation:
Venmo —> venmo.com/u/OaklandTNR
PayPal —> paypal.me/oaklandtnrcoalition
Givebutter —> bit.ly/otnrc_donate

Me when I’m hungry vs. me after a little treat.(It’s wild what a single treat tube can do!)Shy cats like Calzone remind ...
04/12/2025

Me when I’m hungry vs. me after a little treat.
(It’s wild what a single treat tube can do!)

Shy cats like Calzone remind us just how powerful patience (and snacks!) can be. He struggled in his first foster home, likely due to some old street beef with the resident cat. So he came back to us and spent some time in an intake kennel while we figured out next steps.

Unfortunately, he really shut down during that time and wanted nothing to do with people. But this weekend, he moved into a new foster home, and while he’s still very scared, he’s starting to take tiny steps forward.

Socializing shut-down or semi-feral cats isn’t easy. It’s slow, often frustrating, and definitely not for the faint of heart. But the breakthroughs? They’re magical.

We’ve got a handful of scared cats who just need one person to believe in them. If kitten chaos isn’t your vibe, maybe a quiet cat with a guarded heart is more your speed.

Give a shy cat like Calzone a second chance and become a socialization foster today!

Foster application —> bit.ly/otnrc_foster

We’re so excited to be back at the Carnegie Science Center for another unforgettable 21+ Night tomorrow night from 6pm-1...
04/10/2025

We’re so excited to be back at the Carnegie Science Center for another unforgettable 21+ Night tomorrow night from 6pm-10pm!

This time, it’s all about our furry (and scaly!) friends — Paws & Claws. Come meet Pickles, our sweet, sassy girl who’s still on the hunt for her forever home!

We’ll also have all your favorite goodies for sale — t-shirts, koozies, stickers, patches, and of course our handmade cat toys, including our fan-favorite catnip kickers and adorable cork toys.

Head to the Science Center’s event page to check out the “Know Before You Go” slides to see all of the night’s activities!

It’s going to be a purrfectly fun night — grab your tickets now on the Science Center website!

If we had a dollar for every time we’ve picked up kittens from our founder’s local Buy Nothing group… we’d have two doll...
04/10/2025

If we had a dollar for every time we’ve picked up kittens from our founder’s local Buy Nothing group… we’d have two dollars. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s kind of weird that it’s happened twice.

Yinz might remember our first Buy Nothing baby, Fish Fry. Now, meet our latest freebies: Beatbox and Buzzball! This adorable sibling duo isn’t from our usual kitten source (aka the streets), but an unfixed brother-sister pair being given away online, for free? That just screamed disaster.

Thankfully, the folks rehoming them were open to rescue help and already have a spay appointment scheduled for mom later this month. With an open foster lined up, we swooped in to make sure these two could be vetted and adopted out responsibly.

Beatbox and Buzzball are 8 weeks old, weigh in at a healthy 2 pounds, and are sweet as can be. They’ve gotten their first vaccine as well as flea treatment and dewormer and will hang out in foster care for about a month and once fully vetted will make their Petco debut!

Friendly reminder: giving away free unfixed kittens can and will lead to more accidental litters, backyard breeding, and/or unsafe rehoming situations. If you’re overwhelmed, reach out—local rescues like ours are here to help.

It’s back — and better than ever!Join us for the 3rd Annual Cats N Tats Flash Tattoo Fundraiser on Sunday, May 4 from 12...
04/06/2025

It’s back — and better than ever!

Join us for the 3rd Annual Cats N Tats Flash Tattoo Fundraiser on Sunday, May 4 from 12pm–9pm at PMA Tattoo with Abjuration Brewing and Parkway Theater & Film Lounge!

Get inked by the insanely talented artists at PMA, grab some delicious food from Safari Eats, ShadoBeni, and Helen’s and vibe to all-day sets by DJ Johnny Marco. We’ll also have gorgeous glass art from Headtriiip Glass. And don’t forgot our adoptable cats, merch, and raffle prizes!

Tattoos, tunes, food, and felines — what more could you want? Don’t miss it!

Flash sheets coming soon!

*Reminders
- Tattoo will be on a first come, first serve basis. Check in will be at PMA, folks will then be directed to Abjuration to await their tattoo time. Flash will range $80-120 depending on size. Venmo or Paypal preferred.
- Raffles will be CASH only. 1 ticket for $2, 5 tickets for $8, or 10 tickets for $15. Winners will be drawn and contacted by the end of the event at 9:00 pm.
- Abjuration Brewing will be donating $1 for every pint and .50 for every half pour that day.

Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to sweet Freyja.She saw Safe Haven Vet yesterday, and for a moment, we had hope. What h...
04/05/2025

Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to sweet Freyja.

She saw Safe Haven Vet yesterday, and for a moment, we had hope. What had felt like a mass in her abdomen turned out to be her spleen—something that, if her bloodwork came back strong enough, could have been removed with a decent prognosis. Many cats go on to live happy lives after splenectomy surgery.

But Freyja’s bloodwork told a different story. She was severely anemic—below transfusion levels—and her blood glucose was dangerously low. The odds of her surviving anesthesia, let alone the surgery, were almost nonexistent. Even with a transfusion and aggressive stabilization, we were looking at a very slim chance. Given the rapid weight loss and size of her spleen, cancer was most likely and probably had already spread throughout more than just the spleen.

Putting her through surgery or further treatment would have only caused her pain. So, we made the hard but loving decision to let her go.

We take a lot of comfort in knowing that Freyja had a truly good final week. She stayed with Ted and Sabrina, who made sure she was surrounded by love, warmth, and all the delicious food her heart desired. When we dropped her off on Sunday, she immediately made herself at home, settling into the cozy bed and making biscuits.

After 11 years on the streets of South Oakland, she finally got a few precious months of safety, comfort, and love. And in the end, she didn’t die alone or in pain. She passed softly and peacefully, held by people who truly cared for her.

We wish she had more time. But we’re so grateful she got the time she did.

Rest easy, Freyja. You were so loved.

Spring has officially sprung, and so have the kittens!Our volunteers had one chaotic weekend after we got a call from th...
04/04/2025

Spring has officially sprung, and so have the kittens!

Our volunteers had one chaotic weekend after we got a call from the from the new West O feeder….. they found kittens. Unfortunately, the female we trapped last week wasn’t their mom, and by the time we got the call, the kittens had already been moved.

To avoid mom relocating them, we set them up with traps and used the little ones as bait. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers rotating feeding shifts, and a VERY vocal litter, our plan worked! Sunday afternoon, momma came right to them, and now she and her babies are safe in foster care. She’s still figuring things out, so the fosters are doing supplemental feedings to keep them on track.

Inspired by a visit to Pittsburgh’s most famous (and delicious!) ice cream shop, Page’s, the afternoon mom was caught, we’ve given this sweet crew some fitting names: meet momma Large Marge and her babies Steak Hoagie, Scooter Crunch, Arctic Swirl, Yinzer Sundae, and Peaches!

Kitten season is officially here, and we’re hitting the ground running! Despite the stormy weather, our West O feeders trapped a big orange tomcat with extra toes (momma’s twin!), and South O volunteers caught a brown tabby girl — both were spayed/neutered yesterday and will be released his weekend!

We need your help! More kittens are coming, and we can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Become a foster: bit.ly/otnrc_foster

Send some supplies:
Chewy wishlist—> bit.ly/otnrc_chewylist�Amazon wishlist—> amzn.to/4c7DMG1

Make a donation:
Venmo —> venmo.com/u/OaklandTNR
PayPal —> paypal.me/oaklandtnrcoalition
Givebutter —> bit.ly/otnrc_donate

Sometimes, the universe can be unbearably cruel.Back in January, just before the polar vortex, we took in two South Oakl...
03/30/2025

Sometimes, the universe can be unbearably cruel.

Back in January, just before the polar vortex, we took in two South Oakland cats after their longtime caretaker sold her home—Fafnir and Freyja.

Fafnir was the easy one, only about five years old, healthy, and mostly social. Freyja, on the other hand, had spent 11 years on the same porch, with the same feeder and shelters. She was tricky to trap, but we finally brought her inside, and in early February, her senior wellness exam showed only mild, manageable health concerns.

She’s been elusive in her current foster home, hiding and hissing—until this week. Suddenly, she started coming out for dinner, rubbing against her foster’s legs, meowing, and even accepting pets. For a previously feral cat, such a sudden shift in behavior is always a red flag. Paired with her noticeable weight loss in just two weeks, we knew something was wrong.

Today, at Rivers Vet, our worst fears were confirmed. Freyja has fluid in her abdomen, and X-rays showed something in her intestines causing constipation. Given her rapid decline, the most likely culprit is the diagnosis every pet lover dreads—cancer.

For now, she’s still eating, drinking, and acting mostly normal, just with a bit less energy. She received fluids, an e***a, and anti-nausea meds, and we brought her home to keep her comfortable. We’re hoping to get her in for an ultrasound soon to confirm what’s happening and see if treatment is an option.

After 11 years surviving on the streets, Freyja has finally known the warmth and comfort of a home. We’re hoping we can give her more time. If her condition worsens, we’ll make the humane choice when the time comes—but right now, she deserves a chance. Tomorrow she’ll be heading to our favorite hospice fosters Sabrina & Ted, where she’ll get all the love and good eats she could ever want.

If you’d like to support Freyja’s care, donations are always appreciated. Most of all, please send her your love. She’s fought so hard to get here. We want her to have more days of safety, love, and comfort.

How to donate:
Venmo: venmo.com/u/OaklandTNR
Paypal: paypal.me/oaklandtnrcoalition
Givebutter: bit.ly/otnrc_donate

Exciting Bruno Health Update!!! With all the chaos in the world, we could certainly all use some good news. And well, we...
03/28/2025

Exciting Bruno Health Update!!!

With all the chaos in the world, we could certainly all use some good news. And well, we’ve got it — Bruno’s liver has fully recovered! Dr. Peterson believes he had a temporary biliary obstruction caused by a stone, but his liver enzymes and bilirubin levels are now completely back to normal. The earlier concerns about dehydration and stress-related glucose spikes have also leveled out.

There is still a small stone at the duodenal papilla (where bile enters the intestine), but since Bruno is doing so well, his vet is opting to monitor rather than medicate. Starting medication could move the stone and risk another obstruction, so instead, we’ll be repeating bloodwork and a quick ultrasound at the end of May.

Since Bruno is still looking for his forever home, this approach allows his future family to make informed decisions about his health along side us, without unnecessary medications. The hope is that the stone is small enough to pass on its own.

For now, Bruno is feeling great and ready to find his perfect match with his brother Toby! If you’re looking for the absolute PERFECT (and we mean it!) pair of senior boys, these guys are it!

🚨 SOS!! We need wet food! 🚨We just cracked open our last can of adult wet food! With so many mouths to feed, both in our...
03/28/2025

🚨 SOS!! We need wet food! 🚨

We just cracked open our last can of adult wet food! With so many mouths to feed, both in our fosters and out in the field, we’re in urgent need of a restock.

We know we’ve been a little quiet on social media (our volunteer running this page is juggling two jobs plus rescue work!), but rest assured, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes! In the past few weeks, we’ve had some amazing long-term residents adopted, moved kitties into foster, had a few important vet visits (including Ira’s dental tomorrow), wrapped up TNR for the small Carrick colony, and even started helping a new colony in uncharted territory im West Oakland.

As we continue TNR and brace for kitten season, we desperately need wet food—we have just a few cases left for kittens and none for adults. If you can help, please consider donating wet food via our Amazon/Chewy wishlist or sending funds so we can stock up ASAP!

Ways to help:
Wishlists:
Chewy —> bit.ly/otnrc_chewylist
Amazon —> amzn.to/4c7DMG1

Monetary:
Venmo —> venmo.com/u/OaklandTNR
PayPal —> paypal.me/oaklandtnrcoalition
Givebutter —> bit.ly/otnrc_donate

Thank yinz for always stepping up for the Pittsburgh street cats!

Kitten season is coming… help our amazing adult cats find forever homes!As the days grow longer and the weather warms up...
03/11/2025

Kitten season is coming… help our amazing adult cats find forever homes!

As the days grow longer and the weather warms up, we’re reminded of one thing — kitten season is nearly upon us. Our foster homes will soon be overflowing, but first we need to make room! Right now, we have so many incredible adult cats waiting for their chance at a forever home, many that have been overlooked for quite some time.

Looking for a cuddle buddy? We’ve got one. Looking for a bonded pair? We’ve got ‘em. Need a companion for your current cat? We’ve got that too. Prefer a sassy, independent kitty? You bet ya, we’ve got the perfect match!

Each of our adult cats has a unique personality and story — now they just need YOU!

Check them out on our Petfinder and share this far and wide to help us clear our foster homes before the chaos of kitten season begins!

Petfinder —> bit.ly/otnrc_adoptables
Adoption Application —> bit.ly/otnrcadoption

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Pittsburgh, PA

Telephone

+14122297103

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How it started

Our journey began with Lydia Swanson, who spent her time volunteering at the Scratching Post - Lewisburg Cat Cafeand the Lycoming County SPCA. She first discovered a small colony of eight cats in Oakland less than a half mile from the core of the University of Pittsburgh's campus. With advice from her local organization, Cherished Cats Rescue Alliance, she began an interesting journey into TNR, taking care of that colony as well as a 45 cat colony.

Lydia then met fellow cat lover, Elizabeth Constantino, who had recently happened upon a litter of five in the backyard of her Oakland residence. Four were returned to mom, leaving her to bottle-raise the fifth, abandoned kitten. With newly opened eyes to the reality the ever-growing population of feral cats, the two founded Oakland TNR Coalition, focused on the scientifically proven humane method: Trap, Neuter, Release.

Today, our mission is to team up with the local residents of Oakland, Pittsburgh to work on population reduction, vetting, and homing of the feral/stray/homeless cats in the community. We hope that you will continue to follow our journey and support us!