A New York City cat rescue organization has sparked controversy after publicly stating it will not allow individuals who support the MAGA movement or hold conservative views to adopt its kittens. Itty Bitty City Kitties, a Rockaway Beach-based nonprofit that focuses on rescuing and rehoming orphaned kittens, posted a list of political criteria on Facebook for prospective adopters, setting conditions that go beyond traditional adoption requirements.
The post, shared on Tuesday, clearly stated that applicants whose politics included support for "racism, bigotry, dehumanizing immigrants, or cheering on cruelty toward vulnerable people" would be rejected. It further emphasized a preference for adopters who embrace progressive values, including having "a tote bag collection, oat milk, an aggressively progressive group chat, a compost bin," and who have participated in some form of mutual aid donation. The message concluded by asserting that references would be checked to screen out individuals deemed racist.
Accompanying the post was an image of a kitten with a blunt caption saying, “NO. F–KING. MAGA,” underscoring the group's explicit stance. The social media message received swift backlash from some animal welfare advocates who criticized the politicization of pet adoption, a domain traditionally centered on animal welfare rather than human political views.
In particular, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) condemned the rescue’s approach. PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk told media outlets that homeless animals are indifferent to political issues such as abortion, climate change, or international conflicts, and that their primary concern is receiving love and proper care. She called for the organization to reconsider and eliminate what she described as a "human-centric" policy.
The post gained wider attention after it was circulated on the social media platform X by a prominent account known for highlighting left-leaning content. Questions arose about whether the organization consistently enforces such politically charged adoption criteria.
Samantha Knox, who was identified as the director of Itty Bitty City Kitties, defended the organization's screening process, stating that their foremost responsibility is ensuring that the animals find safe and compassionate homes. Knox emphasized the importance of carefully vetting potential adopters to align with the rescue’s mission and values.
Itty Bitty City Kitties is officially registered as a pet rescue in New York State and describes its work as dedicated to saving the smallest orphaned kittens and nurturing them through infancy.
As of Thursday, the organization had not provided additional comments in response to inquiries about its adoption policy.