Quarter auction event in Newfield raises funds for Nomadic Paws

The Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit specializing in orphaned and abandoned kittens under eight weeks old, prioritizing those with special needs. The rescue is run solely by a husband and wife: Ian Yaeger and Kayla Campbell.

The rescue was incorporated in May 2022, but the couple was rescuing kittens on their own for six years prior to the incorporation. The first three kittens they rescued were Hurricane Matthew’s kittens, taken in at five weeks old. The rescue continued to expand from there.

On Oct. 20, the Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue Quarter Auction fundraiser was held at the Newfield Fire Hall. The event was a cross between an auction and bingo. Several donations from local individuals were auctioned off and bid on. All of the proceeds went straight to the rescue, which brought eight kittens to the event. All of those kittens were adopted by the end of the night.

According to Campbell, executive director of Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue, roughly 30 people attended the fundraiser, which was more than she had expected. In total, $176 was raised for the rescue. Campbell said that money will go toward food, litter, deworming, medications and anything else the kittens may need.

Campbell said that to rescue a kitten, there is an application process. This process includes gathering background information on those looking to rescue, reference checks, veterinary checks and a home check that can be either in person or virtual. Campbell said that every kitten is given the opportunity to be adopted. If they do not get adopted, they stay. 

According to Campbell, the organization occasionally rescues kittens by going out and trapping them, but typically Nomadic Paws gets calls from people who have found a kitten. The rescuers then go and pick it up.

“In 2023, we have taken in 90 kittens,” Campbell said. “It’s just the two of us. We do everything ourselves: we do not use fosters, and we don’t take a salary. Everything goes to the kittens.”

The rescue is considered nomadic. They are based in Texas but are currently located in Newfield. Campbell’s husband, Yaeger, assistant director of the Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue, was born and raised in Trumansburg. The couple came to New York on an end-of-summer visit and decided to stay and help as many kittens as they could. However, they are willing to travel the distance to rescue a kitten in need.

“[Our location] does not stop us from jumping in the car and driving all over the place to get kittens,” Campbell said. “I’ve driven to New York City to pick up kittens, and we just went to Niagara Falls to pick up kittens.”

According to Campbell, when they arrived in Newfield, the phone calls started pouring in, and they haven’t stopped since. On a typical day, they receive anywhere from two to five phone calls regarding kittens that need rescuing. 

“Every penny, every donation that comes in goes directly to these cats,” Yaeger said. “That includes both of our paychecks.”

Many kittens come in that are not doing well, and that means there are lots of costs. Some very small kittens need to be put in incubators when they arrive because they can’t yet regulate their body temperature. Campbell said her work involves than just cute kittens; sometimes it’s administering an IV when a kitten is crashing.

“Ninety percent of them come in with severe upper respiratory infections, intestinal infections, fleas, ear mites, worms — and all of that has to be treated immediately,” Campbell said. “It can be very taxing.”

Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue tries to save as many kittens as possible and is always looking for donations. Any donation goes a long way in helping these kittens. You can donate to the rescue through its Facebook page.