About Us

  • Licensed Rescue

  • Women Owned

  • LGBTQ+ Owned

  • Nonprofit

Our Mission

April’s Kittens rescues and medically rehabilitates critically injured, medically complex, and special needs cats who would otherwise face euthanasia, death, or homelessness. Through compassionate care and advocacy, we give vulnerable cats a chance to heal and thrive while working to make veterinary care more accessible in our community.

Our Specialty

At April’s Kittens, we focus on the cats who are most often left behind. The ones with complex medical needs, uncertain outcomes, or diagnoses that many organizations simply don’t have the capacity to take on. This work is at the heart of who we are.

Through hands-on experience in our own foster homes, we’ve built both the knowledge and the confidence to care for cats with conditions that are often misunderstood or stigmatized. This includes caring for cats with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), a neurological but non-progressive condition. We also regularly take on cases requiring intensive treatment, such as panleukopenia (panleuk), and conditions like ringworm that require consistency, structure, and patience to fully resolve. In addition, many of the cats we take in have complex medical needs that require extended treatment plans, hands-on care, and long recovery periods — the kinds of cases that ask for patience, commitment, and trust in the process.

More importantly, we are committed to breaking the stigma around these conditions. A diagnosis does not define a cat’s quality of life, personality, or future. Many of the cats we take in go on to thrive in loving homes because someone was willing to give them a chance.

 FAQs

  • We intake from high-population shelters in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, as well as euthanasia lists in neighboring states like Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Michigan. Many of our cats also come directly from the streets or through owner surrenders when families can no longer care for their pets.

    Our focus is always on making an impact locally — helping Chicago-area cats in crisis while supporting our regional rescue partners to save as many lives as possible.

  • We understand that sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, an adoption may not be the right fit. If that happens, April’s Kittens will always take our adopted cats back into our care - no questions asked. We only ask that all adopted cats be returned directly to our rescue and not rehomed, surrendered elsewhere, or released. Our goal is to ensure every cat remains safe and supported while we work to find them a new match.

  • All donations are deeply appreciated and directly support the cats in our care. Every dollar goes toward essential supplies and lifesaving needs - including food, litter, medical care, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and other necessities that help our cats stay healthy and happy while they wait for their forever homes.

  • Yes! We do same-day adoptions for approved applicants when the cat is fully vetted and ready to go home. Our goal is to make the process smooth and timely while ensuring every match is the right fit - for both the cat and their new family.

  • All of our cats receive full veterinary care while in our program. This includes being spayed or neutered, vaccinated with age appropriate vaccines, dewormed, and treated for any medical concerns that arise.

    We also specialize in medical and special-needs cases, providing extensive care — from surgeries and diagnostics to ongoing treatment — to ensure every cat has the best possible chance at a healthy, happy life.

  • We completely understand — adopting is a big decision, and we want you to feel 100% confident before making a lifelong commitment.

    That’s why April’s Kittens offers a full refund within two weeks of the adoption date. This gives you time to ensure the cat is the right fit for your home and lifestyle. If things don’t work out, you can return the cat within that period for a full refund—no judgment, just support in finding the best outcome for both you and the cat.

  • We understand that needing to surrender a pet is never an easy decision, and we truly appreciate you seeking out a safe and responsible option.

    April’s Kittens does accept owner surrenders, though our ability to help depends on available space and resources at the time. While we can’t guarantee placement for every request, we review each one carefully and do our best to assist whenever possible.

    If you need to surrender your cat, please contact us at info@aprilskittens.org with as much information as possible about your cat and situation so our team can review and determine how we can help.