About

We are a group of Crazy Cat people who want to make sure that kitties make it home safely.

This blog was created as an outlet to chronicle the “adventures” of the Underground Railroad Rescued Kitty Network (URRKN). 

Please check out our Facebook page – and ask to join our group if you like what you see and think you want to help – to see what we’re all about.  https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/URRKN/

If you have other questions that aren’t answered there, please leave a note for us here.  We celebrated our two year anniversary in October 2013 and we’re growing (and learning as we go!)

Thanks for checking us out!!

54 thoughts on “About

  1. I am currently living in Louisiana, Missouri right across the river from Illinois! I would be more than happy to help out with transports if needed. On the map, we are in northeast Missouri in between Hannibal and St louis! I know Tina through ICHC.

  2. I help Feral Feline Friends with fostering cats, TNR at UT. I would like more information about your program and how I might be able to help with transportation in the future. I have a Toyota van. I also have ideas about fundraising for your group.

  3. Hello–Elaine Nichols of Michigan here! Jessica Konig connected me to you. I am Mom and Foster Mom to 8 and work through Michigan Siamese Rescue. I am also Foster Auntie (that means I go over and help out to 15 others. Love dem babies! I hope we can work together transporting the O cats and Sully next weekend. Please feel free to call me on my cell and email me at Would love to talk to any of you. I am getting my paperwork ready to send to you for my authorization into your group. Thanks!

  4. Laurie Harry in Minnesota – I do not choose to use Facebook or twitter, so is there any other way I can offer to help? I found this blog through the I Can Has Cheezburger site.

    • Hi Bruce – can you tell me a little bit more about what you’re trying to do so I can give you the right info? It sounds like you have kitties and they’re moving to another location? Just want to make sure I’m not over-simplifying the situation? Send me an email at tlablanc@urrkn.com with a little more info about what you’re trying to have happen with the kitties and I can give you specific info.
      Thanks!

  5. I am planning to rescue a deaf 13 year old cat from the Golden Paw Society in Huntingdon, New York on October 4th or 5th. However, have been having car trouble and am really afraid to take my car into Manhatten. I live in Reading PA, about 2 1/2 hours away. Is there any way you could help me get him to his forever home? I would really like to be able to go get him, if anyone providing transport could take me along. And once my car is fixed, I would love to be able to help your group provide transport anyhwere within 3 hours drive of my home.

  6. Hi–a friend of mine who lives in Tucson says that you need a driver to do a leg from Lancaster to Bakersfield, CA (and back). We would be happy to help, as long as we don’t have to board any more fuzz warts for any long stretch of time. I could not find anything on your blog, so I don’t know how my friend knows that you need this. Please let us know if we can help.
    Susan

  7. I would try a small private airport so many people have private jets. I sure a cat lover wife of one of these jets could help. I live in Fl. and am flying up to save one in Chicago. Best wishes

  8. Hi. I’m wondering if anyone knows of people who are into rescuing cats and have a place to rent. I have my own cats and some that were abandoned and I want to find a place to live where I can take them with me and not put them in a shelter. I have found some places but because I’m epileptic and I can’t drive to see them, have also had those places rented out before I could even see them.

  9. Southwest Airlines is AWESOME for transporting rescued kitties anywhere in the USA.

    Southwest has an amazing “in cabin” small pet transportation option that could be utilized by URRKN volunteers.

    A single passenger can have up to 2 cats per flight at $75 per cat in an ‘under the seat’ bag [the kitties should be friends!].

    If you use an under-the-seat carrier such SturdiBag™. I have used the LARGE size for an adult cat AND her 8 week old kitten, and you could fit 2 medium sized cats inside this bag or 1 very large cat.

    To keep the kitties calm during the transportation, I used these homeopathic ‘calming’ products (not sedatives) and had excellent results:

    • NaturVet Naturals Quiet Moments Calming Aid Plus for Cats
    • Bach Pet Rescue Remedy

    It is important to test the carrier and the calming treats before the travel day to make sure the kitties can cope!

    Here is a ‘copy/paste’ of the Southwest Airlines “Small Pet” Policy:

    “Southwest Airlines accepts small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs. All in-cabin pets must be carried in an appropriate carrier, as indicated below and are subject to a $75 Pet Fare each way per pet carrier. The pet carrier counts as either a carryon item or a personal item. For more information on taking your pet, click here. Shared itineraries, or AirTran-only itineraries booked through Southwest channels, cannot be purchased for Pets.

    Learn More:

    http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=network_connectivity_booking&question=netconbook01

  10. I live in Hampton VA and i have two special kitties of my own named Thunder and Cassee (pronounced “Casey”). I am here to help if a kitty needs a ride thru Hamptob Roads…my email is bigblue0524@gmail.com. I do not do social media of any kind….especially not Facebook or twitter…please feel free to contact my via email.

  11. Hello. I’m Sonny. A friend at the Lonoke County animal shelter, Nona Poole, asked me to look at the website. I believe she was given the info by a friend of hers, Sharron. We are in Lonoke Co. AR. We have two sources to adopt out rescues. Certain criteria is met before transporting. Usually they go to North East USA. We really need a another source for the adoption process and we could help with partial transport to other areas of the USA. You may already be talking with somebody, perhaps Sharon or Nona. Looks like you guys are hard at it and thank you. We have so many critters that need adopted. Hope to speak with you in the near future. Sonny Ellis

    • I just heard about Urrkn today & reading your comment. I live in Marianna, AR & love animals & have 3 rescue kitties now. Would like to know more about how I could help w/transportation.

      • That is wonderful!

        Thank you so much for the offer to drive but the only way for me to keep track of the offer is by you signing up as a driver.

        Are you a member of URRKN yet? If not please join here:

        https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/

        If so then here is how to sign up as a conductor:

        Please do not wait for an event near you to sign up as a driver or host. If you know that we have people interested and know where they are that helps us plan the best routes for the kitties. Please sign up and send in your docs today. Just follow this link and it has a full set of instructions to become a pin in our map!

        https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFNveXFvenBTX3BWY0RBMFV1d0RZMFE6MQ#gid=0

        Please watch this video so that you will be ready when its your turn to be a URRKN Conductor!!

        You can change the slideshow from automatic to manual by clicking the middle button in the bottom right hand corner of slide, and then clicking the forward button when ready to view the next slide.

        http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a677a4e7a45314e7a633d0d0a&blogview=true

        Closeout service alert and slideshow will begin.

        #URRKN

      • Do you need a kitty transport?

        Yay! Another kitty gets to go HOME!
        Please be sure that you’re a member of URRKN: https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/
        There is a lot to do but lets take care of starting the process first. Please fill this out.
        http://tinyurl.com/kitty-goes-home

        You can count on us to get your new kitty home. We have been doing this for more than two years and have surpassed 2000 drivers ready to get your kitty home.

        Size matters
        When considering which transport to use to get your new family member home, size really does matter.
        A couple things to consider prior to making your final decision:
        Reliability: URRKN has NEVER missed a transport due to not enough drivers. We get kitties HOME safely every time.
        We have more than 11,000 members to help us get your kitty home. Take a look at our past events, then take a look at others. Like I said URRKN has never failed a transport, we are proud of that. Our members go above and beyond to get your kitty to you. We have the most dedicated and compassionate team anywhere.
        After that it would be a great idea to go over this so that you fully understand how we work:
        https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/327211987376870/

        How much does it cost to transport?

        URRKN runs on Donations. Your Gift will be greatly appreciated. For more information please see this link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/336717769759625/

        Also we want to make it clear that every one of our transports is custom designed to meet the needs of the kitty in transport. On that note not every transport is approved.
        On the first review of your request you will be hearing from our transport director.
        So after you will get a call from our screener. Currently, we are receiving a large volume of requests. Each request is important to us, and will be handled on an individual basis.

        We look forward to helping you get your very special kitty home!
        ~Tina ❤ #URRKN

    • Hi Sonny
      We do not find homes I am so sorry. We also usually visit this page when we post a new story. Looks like we will need to fix that. When you do have a kitty that needs a ride here is what you will need:

      Do you need a kitty transport?

      Yay! Another kitty gets to go HOME!
      Please be sure that you’re a member of URRKN: https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/
      There is a lot to do but lets take care of starting the process first. Please fill this out.
      http://tinyurl.com/kitty-goes-home

      You can count on us to get your new kitty home. We have been doing this for more than two years and have surpassed 2000 drivers ready to get your kitty home.

      Size matters
      When considering which transport to use to get your new family member home, size really does matter.
      A couple things to consider prior to making your final decision:
      Reliability: URRKN has NEVER missed a transport due to not enough drivers. We get kitties HOME safely every time.
      We have more than 11,000 members to help us get your kitty home. Take a look at our past events, then take a look at others. Like I said URRKN has never failed a transport, we are proud of that. Our members go above and beyond to get your kitty to you. We have the most dedicated and compassionate team anywhere.
      After that it would be a great idea to go over this so that you fully understand how we work:
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/327211987376870/

      How much does it cost to transport?

      URRKN runs on Donations. Your Gift will be greatly appreciated. For more information please see this link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/336717769759625/

      Also we want to make it clear that every one of our transports is custom designed to meet the needs of the kitty in transport. On that note not every transport is approved.
      On the first review of your request you will be hearing from our transport director.
      So after you will get a call from our screener. Currently, we are receiving a large volume of requests. Each request is important to us, and will be handled on an individual basis.

      We look forward to helping you get your very special kitty home!
      ~Tina ❤ #URRKN

  12. For anyone trying to get in contact with URRKN,,, try going through their Facebook page, because trust me… this group is nowhere even remotely close to being dormant/dead. To be honest I don’t even know what this part of URRKN is here and must being something thats rarely used, maybe forgotten about or possible someone forgot to close it? (shrug… I don’t know).

    Anyway… check out their Facebook cause its getting posts 24/7. Oh and they helped me out a year ago and got my 3 kitties from Arkansas to Missouri… great people/group.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/

      • Not a problem and glad people here are finally getting the attention they need. I have been in their position in the past and can only imagine the frustration as I myself was rather mentally and emotionally drained during my months of trying to find help… till I finally got pointed to your group which came through within a few weeks.

        It’s been a year now since my babies went to Colorado and I still get emotional being separated from them, but I’m still hopeful that my current disability case will come to a positive end and foresee the day that I can get the URRKN Choo Choo Train to take my babies on a second trip… back to me 🙂

        As for this page… have to be honest it can be rather confusing for those not all too familiar with surfing the net. Personally I would make it so no messages could be posted since from what I see this page was really designed for postings of stories. But hey… who am I? (lol)… I guess as long as someone is paying attention it’s all good.

        And too everyone here looking for help… hang in there… the URRKN Choo Choo Train is much more reliable than any real person train 😉

  13. well everyone my comment above was to a message i received from someone informing me that the site i was followed thru urrkn links was dormant but i do not see that message above i only see a message from urrkn followers and Founder Tina ! awesome ! Tina you mentioned that i was taken care of but when? i have not received any info or comments or contact or messages or replies or a phone call yet either from anyone at urrkn…..in fact i had to finally make a call to a number i found somehow by chance and they encouraged me to remain patient…..i followed a link from your homepage and can you direct me forward to what i am to do next ive completed forms & requests & submitted them to your links also….. am i supposed to be posting to a different link and i hope you have my correct info. And Are you going to be able to help me? Please let me know something, Thankyou,Lisa

    • Hi Lisa I replied to you personally 3 times from my email. Sent you a text and spoke to you on the phone.
      Here is the information that you need and did you add Twebb@urrkn.com to your email address book as I requested?

      Do you need a kitty transport?

      Yay! Another kitty gets to go HOME!
      Please be sure that you’re a member of URRKN: https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/
      There is a lot to do but lets take care of starting the process first. Please fill this out.
      http://tinyurl.com/kitty-goes-home

      You can count on us to get your new kitty home. We have been doing this for more than two years and have surpassed 2000 drivers ready to get your kitty home.

      Size matters
      When considering which transport to use to get your new family member home, size really does matter.
      A couple things to consider prior to making your final decision:
      Reliability: URRKN has NEVER missed a transport due to not enough drivers. We get kitties HOME safely every time.
      We have more than 11,000 members to help us get your kitty home. Take a look at our past events, then take a look at others. Like I said URRKN has never failed a transport, we are proud of that. Our members go above and beyond to get your kitty to you. We have the most dedicated and compassionate team anywhere.
      After that it would be a great idea to go over this so that you fully understand how we work:
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/327211987376870/

      How much does it cost to transport?

      URRKN runs on Donations. Your Gift will be greatly appreciated. For more information please see this link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/URRKN/336717769759625/

      Also we want to make it clear that every one of our transports is custom designed to meet the needs of the kitty in transport. On that note not every transport is approved.
      On the first review of your request you will be hearing from our transport director.
      So after you will get a call from our screener. Currently, we are receiving a large volume of requests. Each request is important to us, and will be handled on an individual basis.

      We look forward to helping you get your very special kitty home!
      ~Tina ❤ #URRKN

      Please if you need further assistance do not post to the blog contact Terri directly. Your best and most up to date information will be coming from her. Thank you.

      • Tina, i followed your links and filled out the request forms 2 times for each kitty as stated in your forms and submitted them and watched them as they were being sent until confirmation showed that they were sent so please confirm that you have them i filled them out and sent them along to the “kittygoes home link” days ago….thankyou! Lisa …..

  14. i havent received any feedback or followup or emails or info from urrkn about my request ,or forms i submitted and have no idea what is going on about getting help to get my 3 kitties to me…..anxiety…and im so worried ….

  15. Tina , Everyone, Thankyou for caring & sharing. i do believe somehow i have missed emails or messages and comments and i must apologize ahead of time as i am trying to do everything from my cell phone which has been and still is quite challenging…..there are so many links and posts from different posts & comments and it can get quite confusing…..facebook also can and has been quite confusing and overwhelming while using it from my phone especially when feeling anxious and not much time….i have just recently found comments on fbk from years ago lol….okay so thankyou so much for feedback, it certainly helps knowing there really are people out there trying to help and that you have received my request and are working on it….Thankyou, sincerely, Lisa

  16. My Story ,sorry without being too personal… I had to leave My 3 babies my kitties behind in Long Island NY…..almost 2 weeks ago…..I am temporarily Unemployed….living In Washington state…..While Making family Arrangemnts & searching future employmnt…..Unfortunately Amtrak would not allow Pets on board, It was Shocking to me….Pet Travel companies wanted money that i did not and still dont have and they were not ready for immediate transport either….none of the facilities & rescue organizations on longisland had room for cats & no temporary fosters nor was anyone willing to take on my family….they are a Forever Family together Trio…..My 2 girls Are Mother & Daughter….Mother spooky was rescued from A neglected ,abusive environment & gave birth soon afterwards to daughter Vayda…..My boy Hunter The girls “bodyguard” we found in dead of winter in our barn, newborn, near dead cold,hairless, pulseless slightly chirpin’ a trembling cry approximately 4 yrs ago…..i revived him cpr,warmth,bottle fed back to life…He Is HUMAN….side by side we stride…..he’s my shadow…..They are a happy little trio ,they are spayed and healthy & happy knowing they have A mama who really cares and will always love them…..I can only imagine how abandoned they must feel….i was hoping to gather enough money ASAP somehow, loan, financing….to get them here & be on their way right behind me but that too has not come through…..They have been through so much and temporarily They are in an unwanted environment with my x husband who does not want nor is he really capable of caring for them as they should be….he recently had seizure/stroke and is emotionally & financially stressed as his house is being foreclosed on….Im so upset for All of us…..but still remaining hopefull,Thanks again for Caring…i guess it is like theraphy writing and messaging for now…i need to search for more help tho ,bye for now, ms L I Lisa xox

  17. wow,This is all very confusing….it seems the messages are out of order when reading because of responses and replies and comments to older messages…..i have faith that It will all piece together ……Lisa

    • Yes it’s confusing Lisa, but hang in there… I have faith that your babies will be reunited with you. I was at my wits end when it came down to me having to be give up my babies cause I was about to be homeless and couldn’t afford food or litter for them anymore, but this group came through and my babies are living up in Colorado with their new mommy and being cared for very well.

      I noticed that if you get an email, hit Reply and it will take you directly to that message… if you hit Comments it seems to randomly dump you all the way up top of the page within older messages. 🙂

  18. Thankyou so Much Bruce, So helpeful and so much appreciated and thankyou for the re-encouragement too! so desperate and worried and anxious, im hanging in there, sincerely, Lisa

  19. Cynthia, sometimes this part of the site goes unnoticed as it was really meant for stories… I think you might be best served by visiting URRKN’s Facebook page and either posting a message on the page and/or sending a message to them from there.

    Side note: Let me just say I wish you and your Bengal the best. Someday I would love to own a couple Marble Bengals as they are amazing creatures compared to your run of the mill domestics.

  20. Trying to become part of Dutchess & Sparrow transport liketo drive lynnville, Indiana to my.Vernon, illinois think part F. my number is 903-948-5458 ask for DeAnna [Lynne my middle name 🙂 ] needed to ask off work 2wk b4 if possible. I hit join on page was sent asking me it said I was going it doesn’t my personal information and all that need to be collected I believe I’m a part of the railroad network I just joined it the other day but I’ve never drove before so what do I need to do please helpthank you

  21. I’m trying desperately to contact him one of the Underground Railroad to get a Bengal cat named Oscar from Kansas City to upstate New York not too far from the Buffalo area I don’t know what I need to do or what you need to help me but please let me know Oscar needs a home by act by May 30th his people are leaving to go overseas and he appears to be with someone from Bengal cat rescue I’m having trouble emailing if I’m using an Android phone I have a lot of experience with Bengals I’ve had them for 15 years I just need to find a way to get Oskar here

  22. Sorry if you are getting this twice, but broke my phone today & it’s barely working. Tried to send message on FB, but couldn’t. We are a large cat & dog rescue organization in Atlanta (we’ve rescued one pig too:). We do not do out or state adoptions, but one of our adopters appears to have moved to Pittsburgh & we someone found our kit but we cannot locate the owners to save our lives & we need kit back. Can you please help us???? We r frantic. Another rescue will safe harbor for a couple of weeks, but that’s all they can do & I get it (seeing as I have 16 of our kits at my house one, not including my own. My phone is broke & I pray you can see what I’m typing Bcuz the screen keeps going in & out & I’m outta town w no computer. Plz email me. We would die if one of our kits were hurt, frightened, etc. thank you & God bless!!!

  23. I have found siamese kittens/cats on rescue sights that are on the other side of the country. I live 20 miles SE of St Louis. I lost my pookie bear in February. Who or how do I contact someone to help me get them here. Really miss my baby. Would rather rescue than purchase. Loved reading the rescue stories. Brought tears to my eyes.

  24. Loving home for cat who is in a shelter but is in another state
    …how does this work? Do you have a phone number i could call?

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