Two Kittens Are Easier Than One — and Other Truths From a One-Woman Rescue
LA rescue founder Devin explains why fostering beats adopting, why black cats still wait longer, and what 'no kill' really means.
Why foster a kitten instead of adopting one?
The 'no kill' label on a shelter doesn't mean no animal dies. It often means the shelter turns pets away, then becomes overcrowded, leading to hidden euthanasia of the youngest or slightly sick animals. That's the reality Devin stepped into when she left corporate law to run an independent rescue on her own. She's the entire staff — a one-woman show. So when people say fostering is too sad because they'd have to say goodbye, she points out that a human's brief heartache is nothing compared to a kitten dying in a crowded facility. Fostering pulls a cat out of that system, freeing a kennel for another, and gives the foster cat a chance to learn social skills before adoption. The rescue covers supplies and vet care. If the foster doesn't work out, the cat is still better off than staying in a shelter where turned-away intakes, overcrowded kennels, and quiet euthanasia for the young or sick are the actual outcome.
What is single kitten syndrome and why are two kittens actually easier than one?
Raising a single kitten can lead to behavior problems like biting, scratching, and anxiety, a pattern Devin calls 'single kitten syndrome.' Kittens learn bite inhibition and play boundaries from littermates, so a solo kitten misses out on that education. Devin explains that two kittens will wrestle, chase, and groom each other, burning off the energy that otherwise gets directed at your furniture or your hands. Adopting a pair is not double the work — in fact, it's less, because they keep each other occupied and you don't have to be the sole playmate. If you genuinely want just one cat with a predictable personality, Devin's advice is to skip kittens altogether and adopt an adult whose temperament is already known. Two bonded kittens often get adopted faster as a pair, too, since shelters and rescues prefer not to split them.
Why are black cats and female tuxedo cats harder to adopt?
Coat color and gender biases still shape adoption speeds. Devin, who runs a Los Angeles–based rescue, sees pure black cats gaining traction because public awareness campaigns have dismantled the old superstition that they bring bad luck. That same push hasn't reached female tuxedo cats, who now wait longer than most for adoption. She attributes this not to behavior but to appearance—their stark black-and-white fur seems to read as 'unremarkable' to adopters scrolling through photos. In practice, this means they stay in shelters while more striking or conventionally 'cute' kittens get picked first. For a reader, the takeaway is concrete: bypassing the visual bias and adopting a female tuxedo cat directly relieves the overcrowding that leads to euthanasia in city shelters. Devin's own rescue prioritizes these overlooked cats, and they consistently become affectionate companions once given a chance.
What is TNR and why does it matter so much?
Trap-Neuter-Return — TNR — is the single most important part of animal rescue, says Devin. It's the only method that stops the endless kitten cycle before it starts. Instead of trapping cats and removing them, TNR humanely traps feral or community cats, gets them spayed or neutered, then returns them to their territory. Those cats continue to live out their lives but no longer reproduce. Devin’s nonprofit funds independent local trappers in LA who do this groundwork. Overcrowding in shelters is a direct result of unchecked breeding; every litter that never happens is a litter that doesn't end up in a shelter or on the street. TNR also stabilizes colonies — established cats keep new strays from moving in. It's not glamorous, but it's the only scalable solution to the animal crisis hitting Los Angeles and many other cities.
What does 'no kill' shelter really mean?
A 'no kill' label is not what most people think. It doesn't guarantee every animal leaves alive. What it often means, Devin explains, is that the shelter simply stops taking in animals — so they turn pets away at the door. That creates a bottleneck: animals stay in overwhelmed facilities, unsocialized and stressed, and some are euthanized for being very young, slightly sick, or too feral to handle. The term has become a marketing tool that hides the reality. Municipal shelters with open-admission policies can't legally turn animals away, so they're forced to euthanize for space. Meanwhile, 'no kill' shelters pick their intakes, which just pushes the problem elsewhere. Devin's point is that the solution has to be TNR and community support, not a label that makes people feel good about the shelter's reputation.
How can I help rescue efforts if I can't foster?
The biggest financial strain on any rescue is veterinary care, and that cost has skyrocketed since corporate buyouts of vet clinics. Devin left a corporate law career to run this rescue single-handedly, so every dollar you give goes directly to paying those inflated vet bills or buying food and supplies. Even a small monthly donation can cover a week of food or a vet visit. You can also volunteer at your local shelter with feeding, cleaning, or paperwork, which frees up staff time. If you have a yard or garage, you could provide a temporary safe space for a cat recovering from surgery — that's a low-commitment form of helping. And never underestimate the power of sharing an adoptable cat's photo: you never know if a friend or acquaintance is looking for exactly that cat.
Why adopt an adult instead of a kitten?
Adopting an adult cat, rather than a kitten, is a direct response to the overcrowding crisis. Adult cats are often passed over because people want the cuteness of a kitten, but that leaves adults stuck in shelters — and adults are more likely to be euthanized for space. Devin explains that if you truly want one cat with a predictable personality, an adult is the only choice: a kitten's personality is still forming, and a single kitten can develop 'single kitten syndrome' — behavior issues like aggression or anxiety from being raised without other cats. Adults have already shown their temperament, and they also teach each other social boundaries, so a pair of adults will entertain each other and learn to play gently. Shelters are packed with healthy adult cats whose only crime is not being kittens. By adopting one, you free up space and give a cat a home that knows exactly what it's getting.
Compiled from published reference material: www.catster.com
