Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection

AWLA's Kitten College went from saving just 92 kittens a year with 28 foster families to saving more than 1,500 kittens a year with almost 300 foster families. In this webcast, Marnie will tell us how they do it!

About Marnie Russ:

Marnie developed the Kitten College at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in Arlington, VA.  The first kitten nursery of its kind, Arlington went from saving 92 kittens a year in 2016 to 1547 kittens in 2022 all while maintaining a no kill live release rate.   

Marnie has been fostering neonatal kittens for over two decades, specializing in critical-care neonates and high-risk nursing/expectant queens.  Marnie is a recognized expert on caring for at-risk kittens. She is co-founder of the National Kitten Coalition and speaks nationally on the subject of at risk neonatal kittens.  Her advice and expertise is sought from shelters and rescues across the country.  

In 2023, Marnie assisted UC Davis and the University of Wisconsin to update their neonatal kitten guidelines for mass distribution.    

Marnie is a seasoned animal advocate who has previously worked for the ASPCA traveling across the country working with shelters as well as state and local governments to advance animal-welfare policy.   

Marnie sits on multiple Boards for spay/neuter organizations throughout the county including Fox Hollow Animal Project in Montana and Caring Hands Animal Support and Education – International Advocacy.  She annually travels to third world countries assisting in international spay/neuter projects to help impact the lives of street animals in underserved areas.   

If you have questions or comments about this webcast, you can add them to this discussion thread: https://maddies.fund/FosterConnectionMay2024