February 2026 Newsletter

Meant to Be: Rudolph’s Journey to Becoming Miso

When Rudolph came to Centerville Pet Rescue, he was already a heart-stealer — a gentle, cuddly kitten who loved laps, soft head bumps, and quiet moments of connection. What he didn’t know was that someone out there needed him just as much as he needed them.

Renamed Miso, his forever story began during a simple Friday visit to That Fish Place – That Pet Place. Miso and his adopter locked eyes, and in that instant, everything clicked. “Something screamed inside of me that he was the one,” they shared. An application was filled out on the spot — and by the very next day, Miso was home.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

After a long and difficult season, and nearly ten years after losing a beloved cat named Peanut, Miso’s adopter was searching for comfort, grounding, and a place to pour love. Miso stepped into that space effortlessly, offering unconditional affection, quiet companionship, and the steady presence only a cat can provide.

“He’s really been a bright spot in a dark time. I don’t think he understands how much I need him.”

We think he does — in every purr, every cuddle, and every moment he chooses to stay close.

Miso’s story is a beautiful reminder that rescue works both ways. Sometimes, the right cat doesn’t just find a home — they find the person who needs them most.

Christmas Tree Lane Fundraiser: Thank You, iComm Interactive

This past holiday season, Centerville Pet Rescue was proud to participate in Christmas Tree Lane at Penn Medicine Park, joining local nonprofits in a festive community fundraiser that spread holiday cheer while supporting meaningful causes.

We’re happy to share that our tree received 103 votes, each one helping to support the cats in our care. Every vote represented someone taking a moment to learn about our rescue and show their support, and we are truly grateful to everyone who stopped by and voted.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous tree sponsor, iComm Interactive, whose support made our participation possible. Their sponsorship allowed us to create a tree filled with photos celebrating our adopters, volunteers, and the many lives changed through Centerville Pet Rescue. We are incredibly thankful for their partnership and continued commitment to helping animals in need.

Christmas Tree Lane was a wonderful opportunity to be part of a community-wide holiday tradition, connect with new supporters, and share our mission in a highly visible and joyful setting. We appreciate everyone who helped make this experience special and look forward to participating again in the future.

Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us make a difference for cats, one season at a time.

Finding a Friendly Cat Outside: What to Do First

Coming across a friendly cat outdoors can be both heartwarming and concerning. When a cat approaches for pets, rubs against your legs, or seems eager for attention, it’s natural to assume they’ve been abandoned and want to help right away.

However, many friendly outdoor cats are actually beloved pets who slipped out, became disoriented, or wandered farther than intended. Before assuming a cat has been dumped or needs rescue placement, there are important steps you can take that often lead to a happy reunion.

Start With a Microchip Check

If the cat is approachable, the first and most important step is to have them scanned for a microchip. Most veterinary clinics and animal shelters can do this quickly and at no cost.
A registered microchip can immediately reconnect a lost cat with a worried family.

Ask Around the Neighborhood

Lost cats are often found very close to home.
Try knocking on nearby doors and asking neighbors if they recognize the cat. Look for a breakaway collar or identification tag, even if it’s worn or partially missing. A few conversations can solve the mystery faster than expected.

Spread the Word Locally

If no owner is immediately identified, sharing information greatly improves the chances of reunification.
Consider posting clear photos and details in local lost-and-found pet groups, neighborhood forums, and community apps such as Nextdoor. You can also create a found-pet listing through Petfinder’s lost pet registry.

Hanging flyers in the neighborhood, local businesses, and veterinary offices is also very effective. Be sure to include clear photos, nearby cross streets, and the date the cat was found. Notifying local shelters of a found cat — even if you are temporarily caring for them — helps owners searching multiple avenues.

Rescues Should Be a Last Step

If you’ve exhausted reunification efforts — no microchip, no response to posts or flyers — then reaching out to a rescue or shelter may be appropriate. It’s important to understand that many rescues are currently operating at or beyond capacity and may be limited in their ability to take in additional cats.

By attempting reunification first, you help reduce strain on rescue organizations while giving lost pets the best chance of returning home.

A little time, patience, and community teamwork can make all the difference. Your kindness and willingness to help could be exactly what reunites a family with a cat they’ve been missing.

Upcoming Events

Microchip & Nail Trim Clinic at Love Your Pet Event

Centerville Pet Rescue is excited to participate in the annual Love Your Pet Event at That Fish Place – That Pet Place.

This fun, community-focused event is a great opportunity to celebrate the pets you love while taking care of a few important essentials that help keep them safe and healthy.

Microchipping Clinic

Microchipping is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your pet. Unlike collars or tags that can break or fall off, a microchip provides permanent identification that can be scanned by veterinarians, animal shelters, and animal control agencies nationwide.

Each microchip contains a unique identification number linked to your contact information in a secure database. If your pet is ever lost, this dramatically increases the chances of being reunited quickly and safely.

Cost: $25 per pet
Includes lifetime registration
Dogs must be leashed
Cats and other small animals must be in carriers
No reptiles will be microchipped

Nail Trims

Let our experienced team take the stress out of nail trims with our gentle, worry-free service. Proper nail care helps prevent discomfort, snagging, and injury while keeping your pet comfortable and mobile.

Cost: $15 per pet
Cats and small animals only
No dog nail trims available

Sales tax not included.

More to Enjoy at Love Your Pet

While visiting the Centerville Pet Rescue clinic, guests can enjoy everything Love Your Pet has to offer, including free activities, free raffles, vendors, special guests, demonstrations, and pet portraits throughout the store. This event is one of the biggest celebrations of pets of the year and is fun for the whole family.

Support the Rescue

Centerville Pet Rescue will also be onsite selling candles and jewelry and handing out Valentine cards featuring Morti. All proceeds help support our mission to rescue, care for, and find loving homes for cats in need.

Date: Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Location: That Fish Place – That Pet Place
Time: 10 am – 3 pm

2026 Spring Gift Card Bingo

Join us for another fun-filled afternoon of Gift Card Bingo to support the cats and kittens of Centerville Pet Rescue. After the incredible success of last year’s event, we’re excited to bring it back in 2026.

What to Expect

Doors open at 12 p.m.
Bingo begins at 2 p.m.
20 rounds of regular Bingo with gift cards as prizes.
Small games of chance and basket raffle entries can be purchased at the event.
Bring a donation for our cats and get extra raffle tickets!
Door prizes.
Great selection of hot food and tasty snacks available for purchase.
A welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.
Over 21 may B.Y.O.B.

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Location: York New Salem Fire Company
Time: Doors open at Noon Bingo starts at 2 p.m.

Why It Matters
Proceeds from this event help fund medical care, food, and shelter for the cats and kittens in our rescue program. Your participation directly supports lifesaving work in our community.

Tickets & Details

Tickets are just $35 and can be purchased using the link below. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for an afternoon of bingo, prizes, and supporting a great cause.

Happy Tails for Momma Rosie!

After patiently waiting for her turn, Momma Rosie has officially found her forever home. This devoted mama, who lovingly raised her kittens after being found abandoned, is now soaking up the quiet, comfort, and affection she so deserves. We are thrilled to see Rosie start this next chapter with a family who adores her, and we are grateful to everyone who helped share her story and advocate for FeLV-positive cats. Congratulations to Momma Rosie and her new mom Laura— this one truly warms our hearts.

Dr. Elsey’s Ongoing Litter Donations Support Our Rescue

Centerville Pet Rescue is incredibly grateful to Dr. Elsey’s for their recent donation of a full skid of cat litter—and for their continued generosity over many years.

This is not a one-time gift. Dr. Elsey’s has been a consistent, reliable supporter, donating skids of litter multiple times each year to help care for the hundreds of cats who come through our rescue. That kind of long-term commitment makes a real, tangible difference in our daily operations.

Litter is one of our most essential—and most frequently used—supplies. Donations like this allow us to direct more of our funds toward medical care, enrichment, and lifesaving support, while ensuring our cats remain comfortable and well cared for during their time with us.

We are deeply thankful for Dr. Elsey’s partnership, their belief in our mission, and their ongoing dedication to improving the lives of cats in need. Supporters like this are a vital part of everything we do, and we are proud to recognize them as a valued sponsor of Centerville Pet Rescue.

Winky Is Ready: A Gentle Survivor Looking for a Loving Home

Two months ago, Centerville Pet Rescue said “yes” to a cat who desperately needed help. Today, that same cat is healthy, stable, and ready for the next — and most important — step in her journey.

Meet Winky.

Winky was found at a manufacturing plant in Mount Joy, severely underweight and struggling to survive. When she arrived in our care, she weighed just 4.5 pounds, less than half of what a healthy adult cat her size should weigh. Much of her past remains a mystery. She arrived already ear-tipped — a small, painless procedure that removes the tip of one ear to indicate a cat has been spayed as part of a community or feral cat program — and missing one eye, which had clearly been surgically removed long before she found her way to us.

What was immediately clear, however, was her personality.

Despite everything she had been through, Winky was friendly, affectionate, and trusting from the start. Whether she was once someone’s pet or a community cat — a cat who lives outdoors and is cared for by people in the area rather than belonging to one single home, and who is not typically socialized to people — she never lost her love for people.

Over the past two months, Winky has made wonderful progress. With consistent veterinary care, proper nutrition, and a safe place to rest, she has gained strength and confidence. She is now stable, comfortable, and ready to find a home of her own.

Winky is a gentle soul who would thrive in a calm, loving environment where she can continue to blossom. Her missing eye doesn’t slow her down — it simply adds to her unique charm and story of resilience.

If you’re looking for a special companion with a big heart and an inspiring journey, Winky may be the perfect match.

To learn more about Winky or to apply to adopt, please submit an adoption application. Our team would be happy to help arrange a meet-and-greet.

Winky has come so far. Now all she needs is a family to call her own.