As New England braces for another dangerous heatwave, cats and kittens left behind after their owner was unexpectedly placed in assisted living urgently need help.

The family had no idea their loved one had been caring for so many cats. When they discovered them, they immediately reached out for help because the house doesn’t have air conditioning. With the weather forecast, there was no time to wait.

So far, 16 cats and kittens have been brought to safety, including 14 tiny kittens, some just 10 days old. Among them are a nursing mother caring for her babies and another mom who is pregnant. Two adult cats escaped before they could be safely caught. Rescuers will continue returning to the property to bring them to safety and search for any other cats that may still be hiding. We are hoping to locate the other nursing mother(s), as the kittens range from 10 days to 5–6 weeks old and still need appropriate milk and care.

These little ones need us now.

The kittens need food, warmth, and around-the-clock care. The moms need nutritious meals, veterinary care, and a safe place to raise their babies. Before they’re ready for adoption, every cat and kitten will need vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and plenty of love.

The cats and kittens will be placed in loving foster homes where they can grow, heal, and receive the care they need until they are old enough and healthy enough for adoption. Second Chance is always in need of compassionate adopters willing to open their homes to pets in crisis. To learn more or submit an application, please visit our website.

Rescues like this happen without warning, but thanks to compassionate supporters like you, we’re able to say “yes” when animals have nowhere else to turn.

Will you help give these cats and kittens, and pets like them, the second chance they deserve?

https://givebutter.com/emergency-rescue

JULY 2 UPDATE:

How adorable is this tiny kitten getting a much-needed bath to wash away fleas? 🥹

Here’s the latest on our emergency rescue. Our team has its hands full caring for these kittens, nursing moms, and a pregnant mama. We also have some good news! Late yesterday, two of the missing cats were safely brought to Second Chance. We’ll be sharing more about them soon.

If you submitted a foster application, thank you! At this time, have fosters for all of the cats and kittens from this rescue, but we are always looking for more fosters! Our foster coordinator will be in touch soon with next steps.

We’ve also been overwhelmed by the number of people interested in adopting these sweet little ones. Right now, our focus is helping them grow healthy and strong. Some are only days old, and some haven’t even been born yet! When they’re ready, we’ll be excited to help them find loving homes.

In the meantime, if you’re hoping to adopt, please consider one of the many wonderful cats and kittens who are already waiting for families:
https://www.secondchanceanimals.org/adoptable-cats/

Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support. Your generosity, kind words, and donations mean the world to us. We’re already nearly halfway to our fundraising goal, and every gift helps provide food, medical care, and everything these little ones need.

Some of the cutest pictures are of cats lounging in the sun in what seems like the most uncomfortable position, with all four paws sticking up. And it makes you question, why do cats love to sunbathe so much? And what was the point of spending so much money on comfy beds when they chose to lay on top of the kitchen table chasing that single ray of sun?

Sunbathing goes deeper than just comfort. While cats do seek out sunshine to feel warm and relaxed, they’re also wired to prefer warmer environments. As they chase those rays around your home, it’s not just a cozy habit, it’s something instinctual.

While sunlight is not necessary for cats, it still plays a role in how our furry friends feel day to day. Unlike humans, cats cannot produce vitamin D through skin exposure to sunlight. Instead, they rely almost entirely on vitamin D intake through their diet. Commercial, balanced cat foods provide adequate levels, making supplements unnecessary and risky.

Even though sunlight isn’t needed for nutrition, it can still contribute to comfort, behavioral enrichment, and natural resting patterns. They’re not being rude by choosing the most uncomfortable window perch on top of your plants instead of the bed you bought them, they’re simply following their instinctual needs.

4 Reasons why Cats Love to Sunbathe 

1. Instincts Rooted in Warm-Climate Ancestors

Our furry friends have evolved into the loving animals we know today, but deep down they still carry the instincts of their ancestors. Like those ancestors that lived near the equator, they have a deeply embedded love for warmth in their DNA. Cats can thrive in warmer climates, and their natural body temperature is already relatively high, ranging from 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. They may instinctively seek out warm environments. 

2. Conserving Energy Through External Heat

Cat’s often act like little solar panels, soaking up the sun to stay warm. This action can help reduce the amount of energy needed for thermoregulation, which in turn allows cats to conserve calories for essential activities like hunting.

3. Natural Comfort and Relaxation

Yes, cats love the sun for the heat, but sunshine can also help promote comfort, relaxation, and normal resting behavior. The warmth allows their bodies to feel more at ease, helping them settle and rest more comfortably throughout the day. This is especially noticeable in senior cats or those with joint sensitivity, as they may naturally seek out warm spots more often. However, if your cat is showing signs of pain or discomfort, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, as sunbathing is not a solution for medical conditions.

4. Supporting Longer, Deeper Sleep

Cats spend a large portion of the day sleeping, often 12-18 hours. Natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms, the internal system that controls sleep- wake cycles and daily activity patterns in mammals, including cats. Providing consistent, comfortable environments and routines may help support normal activity levels and healthy rest patterns.

Is There Such a Thing as “Too Much Sun for Cats”?

Cats are generally very good at regulating their own sun exposure. In most cases, if they have access to both sunny and shaded areas, they will instinctively move when they’ve had enough.

However, problems can arise when cats don’t have the ability to make that choice. Too much sun exposure typically becomes a concern in situations where a cat is confined or unable to move to a cooler space.

Situations where overheating is more likely include:

• Being left in a car, even for a short period of time
• Staying in a carrier during transport without proper ventilation or shade
• Being in enclosed spaces or rooms with direct sunlight and limited airflow
• Any environment where there is no access to shade or cooler surfaces

In these situations, cats can be at risk for overheating, dehydration, or sunburn, particularly with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures. White or light-colored cats are also more prone to developing skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, especially on areas with thin hair coverage such as the ears, nose, and face.

The key takeaway is that sunlight itself is not inherently harmful – risk increases when exposure is prolonged or when environmental conditions limit a cat’s ability to regulate its temperature. 

Simple Ways to Give Your Cat More Time in the Sun

While sunlight is entirely out of our control and left up to the weather patterns, there are simple ways to make sure our furry friends are getting the most amount of sunlight each day. Small adjustments around your home can make a bigger difference than you might think.

Here are more simple ways to help your cat get more time in the sun:

• Rearrange furniture to open up sunny areas your cat can easily access
• Keep blinds and shades open as much as possible to let in natural sunlight
• Add window perches or shelves to create elevated sunbathing spots
• Rotate beds or blankets to follow where sunlight moves throughout the day
• Build an outdoor enclosure such as a catio so your cat can enjoy more consistent sunlight throughout the day

Letting Cats Enjoy the Sun

Sunbathing is a natural feline behavior. Whether they’re stretched out in a warm patch of light or slowly following the sun across the room, those moments aren’t random. They’re choosing comfort in a way that comes naturally to them.

The goal isn’t to keep your cat out of the sun, it’s to make sure they can enjoy it safely. As long as they have the option to move between warm spots and cooler areas, cats will regulate themselves just fine.

A few small changes can make a big difference. Opening up sunny spaces, adding a window perch, or creating a safe outdoor area gives your cat more freedom to move, stretch, and settle where they feel most comfortable throughout the day.

When a cat rests in the sun, they are engaging in a normal behavior that supports comfort and energy conservation.

Our Summer Vacation Foster Program for dogs is off to a great start! Click here for the latest update and how you can get involved.

The weather is warming up, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and try something new… so why not make a difference while you’re at it?

Starting May 14th, we’re launching our Summer Vacation Foster Program and looking for compassionate foster families to give shelter dogs a much-needed break from shelter life.

What’s involved?

• Short-term fostering (2–8 weeks)
• Giving a dog time to decompress in a home environment
• Providing one-on-one attention and love
• Helping us learn more about their personality to find the perfect forever home

Foster Requirements:

• Live within 30 minutes of one of our Second Chance Vet Hospitals (Southbridge, North Brookfield, Worcester, or Springfield)
• If renting, have landlord approval and know any pet restrictions
• Be willing to share your foster dog on social media and/or attend adoption events or meet & greets when possible

Once you submit your form, we’ll try to match you with a dog that fits your home and schedule. You’ll have a chance to meet before committing—so you can feel confident bringing your temporary companion home.

Ready to make your summer unforgettable? Complete the form below and give a deserving dog the break they’ve been waiting for.

Click HERE to get started

Recognize a Loved One or Special Pet at Second Chance

Second Chance Animal Services helps more than 64,000 pets each year through adoption, veterinary care, spay and neuter services, training, educational and community outreach programs, and our pet food pantry.

This is your opportunity to honor a beloved pet or special person while supporting this lifesaving work.

Through our Leaves of Love display at our North Brookfield Community Veterinary Hosplital, your tribute will be included on a paw shaped leaf and placed on the memorial tree, created in honor of Eunice Li Jones, a longtime friend and dedicated supporter of Second Chance. Together, these leaves form a meaningful symbol of love and compassion for the animals who need us most.

Each leaf is displayed for one year and may be renewed annually, allowing you to continue your tribute for as long as you wish. Your donation helps ensure every pet has access to medical care, kindness, and the chance for a forever home.