Our Rescue Kitties

Today, we have some great news to share with the CUDDLY community. After months of planning, hoping, and working around the clock, our 26 rescue cats have officially landed in Chicago! Their fresh start is finally here, but before we get swept up in the celebration, we wanted to look back on the obstacles we had to overcome to make this success possible. 

Life for animals in Azerbaijan is devastatingly difficult. Every day, our rescue is flooded with pleas to take in cats who’ve suffered in nightmarish pet shops, where they endured unspeakable neglect in the name of profit, or cats who’ve been discarded after their health concerns made them an inconvenience for their owners. Our shelter was already overcrowded, and we were at a breaking point. We would be forced to close intake unless we could find homes for the cats already in our care. 

We were running out of options. Emotionally and financially, our team was stretched impossibly thin. That’s when we made the decision to take a leap of faith. We emptied our savings to book a rescue flight to the US, where loving foster homes were waiting… but even then, we were $5,000 short. 

So, we turned to the CUDDLY community and shared our story, desperate for any and all support. And slowly, donations began to trickle in. Every dollar brought us closer to our goal. But just when we thought our dream was within reach, another setback struck—our flight had to be delayed due to unexpected plane maintenance. But that delay gave us some valuable extra time. We had a few more days to raise the remaining funds… and you showed up. 

Thanks to your incredible kindness, our rescue cats made it. For maybe the first time in their lives, they’re stepping into a future full of love and possibility. This mission would not have been possible without YOU. Your compassion, generosity, and unwavering belief in second chances saved these 26 rescue cats. 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us turn heartbreak into hope. Our precious kitties have a new beginning, and it’s all because of you. We cannot thank you enough. Our appreciation and gratitude are boundless.