Questions. Answers.
volunteer/foster questions
How do I volunteer with NBAR?
To become an NBAR, you must create an account through our Volunteer Portal Page (click here for the direct link). Once you have a profile, you can select what date/time work best for you to come in and train. After you can completed training, you will be able to sign-up for any shifts that fit your schedule.
What would I do as an NBAR volunteer?
Scooping poop - the stuff you do at home for your cats! In addition to that vital task, our volunteers keep the center clean and healthy for both the cats and people. We vacuum, sweep, mop, do dishes, laundry, wash window etc etc. Of course, we spend time cuddling and socializing with the kitties once all the cleaning is done.
Can I volunteer with a group/school project or for service hours?
We are a very small facility and cannot handle more than groups of 3-4 people at a time.
Can I do my court-ordered community service hours here?
Sadly, no. We do not participate in any court-order hours.
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
Volunteers can be any age - if you're willing to clean kitty poo and vomit, we're more than happy to have your help! If you're 15 or younger, you will need a parent/guardian with you; if you're 16 and over, you can come on your own!
How do I foster for NBAR?
Fostering is a critical part of our operation! We need fosters year round, but especially in the summer. We always need homes for pregnant/nursing moms, orphaned kittens and bottle babies. Create an account on our volunteer page and we'll be in touch with you to get you started. (Click here for our Foster Page)
To become an NBAR, you must create an account through our Volunteer Portal Page (click here for the direct link). Once you have a profile, you can select what date/time work best for you to come in and train. After you can completed training, you will be able to sign-up for any shifts that fit your schedule.
What would I do as an NBAR volunteer?
Scooping poop - the stuff you do at home for your cats! In addition to that vital task, our volunteers keep the center clean and healthy for both the cats and people. We vacuum, sweep, mop, do dishes, laundry, wash window etc etc. Of course, we spend time cuddling and socializing with the kitties once all the cleaning is done.
Can I volunteer with a group/school project or for service hours?
We are a very small facility and cannot handle more than groups of 3-4 people at a time.
Can I do my court-ordered community service hours here?
Sadly, no. We do not participate in any court-order hours.
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
Volunteers can be any age - if you're willing to clean kitty poo and vomit, we're more than happy to have your help! If you're 15 or younger, you will need a parent/guardian with you; if you're 16 and over, you can come on your own!
How do I foster for NBAR?
Fostering is a critical part of our operation! We need fosters year round, but especially in the summer. We always need homes for pregnant/nursing moms, orphaned kittens and bottle babies. Create an account on our volunteer page and we'll be in touch with you to get you started. (Click here for our Foster Page)
donation information
How do I donate to NBAR?
We are 100% run on donations! You can donate online through PayPal and Amazon or you can drop donations off at our Adoption Center during business hours. Check out our donate page for info and way to help.
Can I donated open bags of food to you?
Yes, absolutely. We can use any kind of food (dog or cat). We can use opened bag and food that is recently expired.
What kinds of items can NBAR use?
We're pretty crafty and can use just about anything you'd like to donate.
We don't have a use for:
Other than those few things, we can use just about anything; if we can't use it directly, we probably know somebody who can. And don't forget, our Pantry can use both cat and dog items. To see items we currently need, head over to our donate page.
We are 100% run on donations! You can donate online through PayPal and Amazon or you can drop donations off at our Adoption Center during business hours. Check out our donate page for info and way to help.
Can I donated open bags of food to you?
Yes, absolutely. We can use any kind of food (dog or cat). We can use opened bag and food that is recently expired.
What kinds of items can NBAR use?
We're pretty crafty and can use just about anything you'd like to donate.
We don't have a use for:
- Newspapers (our cats get towels/blanket in their condos)
- Comforters (too big for our needs)/pillows
- Used litterboxes (first, it's kind of gross, and second, our condos only allow a certain sized litterbox to fit in them; our free-roam cats use modified totes).
Other than those few things, we can use just about anything; if we can't use it directly, we probably know somebody who can. And don't forget, our Pantry can use both cat and dog items. To see items we currently need, head over to our donate page.
adoption questions
I heard NBAR cats are the best, how do I adopt one?
Our cats are so amazing thanks to our wonderful volunteers and fosters who spend countless hours working with them. Head over to our adoption page to get the info on adding one of these kitties to your family and to see who's available.
How much does it cost to adopt from NBAR?
Our prices range from $150 - $350+. The adoption fees reflect the included costs of standard vaccinations and medical exams, spay/neuter, grooming, feeding, daily care, etc., where appropriate. All our cats are fully vetted before they leave our care - in most cases, you won't have to visit the vet with your new kitty for an entire year!
Do I need to set-up an appointment time to meet cats?
Nope! We are open for walk-ins:
We are closed around the holidays, so email us if you're planning on visiting during those times.
I've always had declawed cats in the past, why can't I declaw a cat I adopt from NBAR?
Declawing is cruel, physically and psychologically, and completely unnecessary. A cat’s claws function as part of its fingers and toes, therefore declawing amputates the last joint of a cat’s toes. The surgery and recovery is extremely painful. Declawing impedes a cat’s ability to walk and play as well as protect and groom themselves. Psychologically, cats need to claw as part of their grooming ritual and many cats knead with their claws to express comfort. Declawed cats tend to have higher levels of anxiety because they feel defenseless and often become biters. They also tend to react to stress by acting out such as by not using their litter boxes. Frequent clipping of the tip of the claw can help alleviate damage due to scratching. A volunteer or your vet can show you how to properly clip claws. Give your cat plenty of appropriate things to scratch and gently correct your cat if it scratches the wrong things. A little patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency in training alleviate the vast majority of scratching problems.
Why can't I just let my adopted cat roam outside?
You must keep the cat indoors at all times unless the cat is on a leash equipped with proper identification or confined safely in a catio, stroller or backpack.
The average life span of a cat is 15-20 years when kept indoors and given proper care. The average life span of a cat who wanders outside is two years. Cats are killed and injured by cars every day on neighborhood streets as well as major roads. Other dangers include contracting diseases from other cats, getting hurt in fights with other animals, and being poisoned or abused by people who find it annoying for cats to wander onto their property.
The number 1 cause of death of cats in the US is being killed in the shelter system. Many shelters, when they are full with cats, will kill them for space. Many good-hearted people take what they think are lost cats (but in reality, are just cats with families who let them wander freely) to a shelter to be saved. Unfortunately, they are often killed for space and never reunited with their family. Cats in shelters have a less than 2% chance (with no ID, or 25% with ID; data per American Humane Society) of being reunited with their family, so keeping them inside is the safest and most responsible thing an owner can do.
Our cats are so amazing thanks to our wonderful volunteers and fosters who spend countless hours working with them. Head over to our adoption page to get the info on adding one of these kitties to your family and to see who's available.
How much does it cost to adopt from NBAR?
Our prices range from $150 - $350+. The adoption fees reflect the included costs of standard vaccinations and medical exams, spay/neuter, grooming, feeding, daily care, etc., where appropriate. All our cats are fully vetted before they leave our care - in most cases, you won't have to visit the vet with your new kitty for an entire year!
Do I need to set-up an appointment time to meet cats?
Nope! We are open for walk-ins:
- Wednesdays - Thursdays - 4-6PM
- Saturday - Sunday 12-2p
We are closed around the holidays, so email us if you're planning on visiting during those times.
I've always had declawed cats in the past, why can't I declaw a cat I adopt from NBAR?
Declawing is cruel, physically and psychologically, and completely unnecessary. A cat’s claws function as part of its fingers and toes, therefore declawing amputates the last joint of a cat’s toes. The surgery and recovery is extremely painful. Declawing impedes a cat’s ability to walk and play as well as protect and groom themselves. Psychologically, cats need to claw as part of their grooming ritual and many cats knead with their claws to express comfort. Declawed cats tend to have higher levels of anxiety because they feel defenseless and often become biters. They also tend to react to stress by acting out such as by not using their litter boxes. Frequent clipping of the tip of the claw can help alleviate damage due to scratching. A volunteer or your vet can show you how to properly clip claws. Give your cat plenty of appropriate things to scratch and gently correct your cat if it scratches the wrong things. A little patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency in training alleviate the vast majority of scratching problems.
Why can't I just let my adopted cat roam outside?
You must keep the cat indoors at all times unless the cat is on a leash equipped with proper identification or confined safely in a catio, stroller or backpack.
The average life span of a cat is 15-20 years when kept indoors and given proper care. The average life span of a cat who wanders outside is two years. Cats are killed and injured by cars every day on neighborhood streets as well as major roads. Other dangers include contracting diseases from other cats, getting hurt in fights with other animals, and being poisoned or abused by people who find it annoying for cats to wander onto their property.
The number 1 cause of death of cats in the US is being killed in the shelter system. Many shelters, when they are full with cats, will kill them for space. Many good-hearted people take what they think are lost cats (but in reality, are just cats with families who let them wander freely) to a shelter to be saved. Unfortunately, they are often killed for space and never reunited with their family. Cats in shelters have a less than 2% chance (with no ID, or 25% with ID; data per American Humane Society) of being reunited with their family, so keeping them inside is the safest and most responsible thing an owner can do.
intake of animals
Can I surrender my cat to NBAR?
Space is always a limitation, please contact us ASAP if you think you may need to surrender your cat in the not too distant future. If we have room to accept your cat into our care, we ask that your bring the animal in a secured carrier. We also require any and all vet papers and documentation you have for your animal. Depending on the medical and disposition of the animal you are surrendering, we charge a give-up fee of $25-50 per animal. Please email us to discuss surrendering your cat(s) and to request give-up forms.
We want to help every cat we can, but often times we are not able to meet the specific needs and care requirements of your particular cat. There may also be situations where coming into our care would be detrimental to the overall health and well-being of your cat.
A wonderful service to use when rehoming your pet is: rehome.adoptapet.com
Can I surrender my dog to NBAR?
We are a cat rescue, and do not have the resources to take dogs into our care. If you need to surrender your dog, we suggest searching on adoptapet.com for shelters/rescues in the area that would be able to help you. You can also use rehome.adoptapet.com to find an adopter for your dog.
There are feral/wild cats in my yard, can I bring them in?
Not every cat belongs indoors in a home. Yes, pet cats should be indoors and sheltered from the numerous dangers that are outdoors. Pet cats that are allowed outdoors are in great peril. But feral cats, being leery of humans, are less at risk for most of these harms. It's natural for us humans to want to help these feral cats and kittens. Feral/wild cats can take care of themselves - they are adapted to their environment/community. Imagine someone taking YOU and forcing you to live in the WILD. Same difference! The best thing you can do for these guys is TNR - Trap-Neuter-Return.
We do not do TNR, it is a huge operation to do so. We would suggest contacting All About Animals who has the resources to help you with TNR.
Will you take these feral kittens I found?
During kitten season (spring - late fall), we are so overwhelmed with kittens and pregnant cats, we simply do not have the time to socialize feral kittens. For all intents and purposes, feral cats are wild animals. If you find a feral kitten, you can, through love and a whole lot of patience, tame it.
By taming a feral kitten, you are preparing that kitten to be placed for adoption. You will be turning a hissy, spitting little demon into a sweet, playful kitten that can have a wonderful indoor home. It can be a long and time-consuming process, depending on the age of the kitten (the younger the kitten, the more easily that kitten can be tamed), but taming a feral kitten will be one of the most rewarding acts of kindness you will ever give to another creature. We suggest trying to tame kittens 6 weeks and younger. After that, taming is very difficult and might not be possible.
What if your kitten never comes around? First of all, don't blame yourself. Taming feral kittens is a tough job, and not every kitten can be tamed. Sometimes you will end up with one super sweet kitten, while its litter-mate remains shy and scared, even though you took all the same steps. It is rare, but if this happens, the best thing to do is spay or neuter your kitten at 8 weeks of age, give the appropriate vaccinations, and find your kitten a suitable outdoor home.
More Resources Taming Feral Kittens (Feral Cat Coalition)
I found a stray cat/dog, can I bring it in?
If you have found a lost dog or cat, contact your local non-emergency police about the animal and where to take him/her. The best chance of reuniting a lost pet and their owner is through your local animal control services.
I found a pregnant cat, can you take it?
Please contact us if you found a pregnant/nursing cat. We do not accept pregnant/nursing cats into our care unless we have a foster home available. If you're able to foster, even if it's temporarily, please let us know and we will work with you to get these kitties to a safe place.
I found an wild critter, what do I do?
Wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, deer, etc, should be handled by professions. Seek advise/help through the following links:
Help! I lost my cat!
Few things are more stressful than knowing your beloved pet is missing. There are many tips for locating a lost pet on the Internet, but here are few we recommend.
I just saw a dog/cat get injured, what do I do?
We do not have any on-site medical care. If you have found an injured animal, please contact your local veterinary office or the Emergency Vet. In most cases, they will be willing to assist a homeless animal. If you see an animal hanging around with an obviously, but not life threatening injury, contact 4Paws1Heart for advise and possible assistance.
Space is always a limitation, please contact us ASAP if you think you may need to surrender your cat in the not too distant future. If we have room to accept your cat into our care, we ask that your bring the animal in a secured carrier. We also require any and all vet papers and documentation you have for your animal. Depending on the medical and disposition of the animal you are surrendering, we charge a give-up fee of $25-50 per animal. Please email us to discuss surrendering your cat(s) and to request give-up forms.
We want to help every cat we can, but often times we are not able to meet the specific needs and care requirements of your particular cat. There may also be situations where coming into our care would be detrimental to the overall health and well-being of your cat.
A wonderful service to use when rehoming your pet is: rehome.adoptapet.com
Can I surrender my dog to NBAR?
We are a cat rescue, and do not have the resources to take dogs into our care. If you need to surrender your dog, we suggest searching on adoptapet.com for shelters/rescues in the area that would be able to help you. You can also use rehome.adoptapet.com to find an adopter for your dog.
There are feral/wild cats in my yard, can I bring them in?
Not every cat belongs indoors in a home. Yes, pet cats should be indoors and sheltered from the numerous dangers that are outdoors. Pet cats that are allowed outdoors are in great peril. But feral cats, being leery of humans, are less at risk for most of these harms. It's natural for us humans to want to help these feral cats and kittens. Feral/wild cats can take care of themselves - they are adapted to their environment/community. Imagine someone taking YOU and forcing you to live in the WILD. Same difference! The best thing you can do for these guys is TNR - Trap-Neuter-Return.
We do not do TNR, it is a huge operation to do so. We would suggest contacting All About Animals who has the resources to help you with TNR.
Will you take these feral kittens I found?
During kitten season (spring - late fall), we are so overwhelmed with kittens and pregnant cats, we simply do not have the time to socialize feral kittens. For all intents and purposes, feral cats are wild animals. If you find a feral kitten, you can, through love and a whole lot of patience, tame it.
By taming a feral kitten, you are preparing that kitten to be placed for adoption. You will be turning a hissy, spitting little demon into a sweet, playful kitten that can have a wonderful indoor home. It can be a long and time-consuming process, depending on the age of the kitten (the younger the kitten, the more easily that kitten can be tamed), but taming a feral kitten will be one of the most rewarding acts of kindness you will ever give to another creature. We suggest trying to tame kittens 6 weeks and younger. After that, taming is very difficult and might not be possible.
What if your kitten never comes around? First of all, don't blame yourself. Taming feral kittens is a tough job, and not every kitten can be tamed. Sometimes you will end up with one super sweet kitten, while its litter-mate remains shy and scared, even though you took all the same steps. It is rare, but if this happens, the best thing to do is spay or neuter your kitten at 8 weeks of age, give the appropriate vaccinations, and find your kitten a suitable outdoor home.
More Resources Taming Feral Kittens (Feral Cat Coalition)
I found a stray cat/dog, can I bring it in?
If you have found a lost dog or cat, contact your local non-emergency police about the animal and where to take him/her. The best chance of reuniting a lost pet and their owner is through your local animal control services.
I found a pregnant cat, can you take it?
Please contact us if you found a pregnant/nursing cat. We do not accept pregnant/nursing cats into our care unless we have a foster home available. If you're able to foster, even if it's temporarily, please let us know and we will work with you to get these kitties to a safe place.
I found an wild critter, what do I do?
Wildlife, such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, deer, etc, should be handled by professions. Seek advise/help through the following links:
Help! I lost my cat!
Few things are more stressful than knowing your beloved pet is missing. There are many tips for locating a lost pet on the Internet, but here are few we recommend.
- Your cat is probably not far from the house. Put food outside to keep him/her close by. If you can, put some litter box content or bedding around the house so they can smell something familiar - that's key.
- Check the area Animal Shelters and Human Societies for found cats. Be sure to check often, as the stray hold is only a few business days. (The two largest shelters in our area are: Humane Society of Rochester Hills and Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center)
- Post on this awesome Michigan Facebook page for lost pets For the Love of Louie
- Most importantly is to get EYES ON YOUR KITTY. Make a flier with a photo and circulate it around the neighborhood. The majority of cats are found this way. Put one on every telephone pole on your block and exiting each major intersection close to home.
- If you spot your cat and it's scared...and runs from you (which is not at all unusual when an indoor cat gets outside), contact All About Animals to borrow a live trap. Often that's what it takes to get the cat back safe indoors.
- An interesting article about strays provided by ASPCA
- Kitty Convict Project
I just saw a dog/cat get injured, what do I do?
We do not have any on-site medical care. If you have found an injured animal, please contact your local veterinary office or the Emergency Vet. In most cases, they will be willing to assist a homeless animal. If you see an animal hanging around with an obviously, but not life threatening injury, contact 4Paws1Heart for advise and possible assistance.
about us stuff
How does your pantry program work?
If you are in need of help from our pantry, please visit our pantry during our hours of operation: 12-2P every Sunday, except on holiday/holiday weekends. Volunteers will be there to assist members. Visit our Pet Food Pantry section for more information.
How long as NBAR been around?
New Beginnings Animal Rescue (NBAR) was founded in 2010 to the overwhelming number of people who need help caring for or re-homing their companion animals. NBAR is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and fosters to make a difference in the lives of homeless animals. Our mission is to serve Southern Oakland County communities as a No-Kill rescue organization that finds suitable homes for indoor companion animals.
Why are you guys so awesome?
It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
Do you work with local businesses?
We're so fortunate to share this community with amazing business partners. Be sure to show them some love because they have and continue to help us make the world a little better for kitties in this town.
If you are in need of help from our pantry, please visit our pantry during our hours of operation: 12-2P every Sunday, except on holiday/holiday weekends. Volunteers will be there to assist members. Visit our Pet Food Pantry section for more information.
How long as NBAR been around?
New Beginnings Animal Rescue (NBAR) was founded in 2010 to the overwhelming number of people who need help caring for or re-homing their companion animals. NBAR is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and fosters to make a difference in the lives of homeless animals. Our mission is to serve Southern Oakland County communities as a No-Kill rescue organization that finds suitable homes for indoor companion animals.
Why are you guys so awesome?
It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
Do you work with local businesses?
We're so fortunate to share this community with amazing business partners. Be sure to show them some love because they have and continue to help us make the world a little better for kitties in this town.
- Blue Cross Animal Hospital: 1514 W. 11 Mile, Royal Oak
- Wild Birds Unlimited: 28558 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak
- Jim Brady's Detroit: 1214 S. Main St., Royal Oak
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