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We never turn our backs on the “hard cases”, and in fact open our arms to them. Our mission is to offer hope and new beginnings to the sick, neglected, abused, injured and abandoned animals in our community. We believe every life is worth saving!
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Meet Brie (above)! This sweet 6-month-old kitten was rescued alongside her siblings after being found all alone outside. Today, she’s thriving, super friendly, and full of playful energy! Brie would love a home with a buddy—especially her brother, Asiago! While they aren’t officially bonded and can be adopted separately, they’d certainly love to stay together if given the chance. Brie gets along great with other cats and small dogs, and she is fully vetted and ready for her next chapter. Could you be the forever home she’s been dreaming of?
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OUR ONLINE HOWL-O-WEEN COSTUME CONTEST IS OVER. AND THE TOP 3 WINNERS ARE.....
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FIRST PLACE -- BARNUM! Shhh, don't tell anyone but, based on his shadow he is a superhero at night.
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SECOND PLACE -- NELSON! He is a rescued 2 year old gelding.
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THIRD PLACE -- BENTLEY! Every rescue cat deserves to know they’re priceless. Bentley has his own homemade Ty costume to prove it!
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SAVING THE HURT, ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND DISCARDED
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While "rescue" is often pictured as a single, dramatic act of saving a life from immediate danger and guiding it toward a second chance, its true meaning encompasses a much broader spectrum of compassionate care. For animals facing untreatable physical agony or severe, unresolvable behavioral trauma, rescue takes the form of a quiet mercy—humane euthanasia that absorbs the burden of sorrow to end a life defined purely by suffering. For others who are unadoptable due to complex behavioral histories, chronic medical conditions, or wild origins, rescue transforms into sanctuary—a lifelong promise of safety, dignity, and specialized care where they can live out their natural lives without ever needing to fit into a traditional home. Ultimately, to rescue is not merely to pull a creature back from death, but to look at a vulnerable life, evaluate what will grant it the greatest dignity and peace, and have the courage to provide it.
This is why rescue work is so hard. It isn't just about playing with happy, healthy animals or celebrating guaranteed happy endings. It’s about carrying the weight of decisions that keep you awake at night, haunted by the heartbreaking cases and endless "what-ifs"—what if we had found them sooner, or what if we had just waited a little bit longer to see if they may pull through?
Greta’s story is hard to read, but it’s a reality we can’t ignore. By the time she reached us, an untreated injury had left a deep, maggot-infested wound that went straight to the bone. We share these devastating cases not to shock you, but to shine a light on the tragic consequences of animal abandonment. Domestic animals simply cannot survive on the streets. If we stay silent, nothing changes—together, we must spread awareness and protect pets from this kind of suffering.
| | Clear your calendar for Friday, November 20th!! For one Extraordinary day each year, Lancaster County transforms into a community-wide celebration of generosity, supporting hundreds of local organizations - including ours! This day is a major fundraiser for us, and we invite you join us for 24 hours on Friday, November 20th from 12:00am to 11:59:59pm, to raise much needed donations for our animals. Your support can help us unlock extra bonus money throughout the day. Follow us on Facebook and we'll be updating you all day long on how you can help us win. When the day comes, go to: ExtraGive to be "Extraordinary". | |
Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week (HARA) Week - November 8 - 14th, 2026
Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week (HARA Week)—celebrated every November—is essentially a nationwide high-five to the incredible, head-scratching, belly-rub-demanding bond we share with our animal counterparts. Created by the Animals & Society Institute, it’s a time to celebrate the science and heart behind why our pets feel like genuine family. Research shows that interacting with our animals sparks a rush of oxytocin—the same "love hormone" behind parent-child bonding—building a constant feedback loop of trust and affection. Pair that neurochemical magic with their daily companionship, unconditional loyalty, and irresistible baby-like traits, and it’s no surprise our brains treat them as full-fledged kin. So, go ahead and show off those endless camera roll photos with pride—they really are your babies!
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OUR SCENTSY FUNDRAISER IS OPEN UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER!
Purchasing Scentsy products through our animal rescue fundraiser is a simple yet powerful way to bring high-quality, fragrant warmth into your home while directly saving lives. Every purchase helps provide essential care, food, medical treatment, and safe shelter for animals in need as they await their forever homes. Scentsy’s high-quality, flame-free wax warmers, long-lasting fragrance bars, and pet-friendly home goods not only fill your space with inviting scents, but your order turns everyday home essentials into crucial funding for rescue operations. By choosing to shop our fundraiser, you’re indulging in premium products while ensuring that deserving animals get the second chance, comfort, and care they truly deserve.
Just go to Castaway Critters to check out all of the goodies.
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KITTY CUTENESS
Butch is a former feral with a story as unique as his signature black eye patch—just like the Flying Dutchman himself. Found in an outdoor colony after surviving his first six months on his own, this handsome 1 1/2-year-old boy has traded the wildlife for cozy beds and quiet companionship. Dutch may not be a fan of being held, but he absolutely loves being near his people—especially snuggled up beside you at bedtime. He’s great with other cats, does well with respectful dogs, and enjoys considerate kids who understand his independent spirit. Sweet, quirky, and full of charm, Dutch is the perfect mix of adventurous pirate and loyal best friend.
🐾 Ready to make Butch a part of your family? Fill out an adoption application here: https://www.castawaycritters.org/apply-to-adopt.
| | | Don't miss a thing! Follow us on Facebook for all the latest news and updates on what we are doing and to see the animals that are waiting for their forever home. Like 6-month-old Klondike who is a fun-loving kitten who thinks playtime is always a good idea. Whether he's chasing toys, romping with a kitten friend, or showing off his playful side, this boy knows how to have a good time. He would love to have another friendly kitty in his forever home to keep the fun going. Klondike may take a few days to warm up to his new surroundings, but once he realizes he's safe and his new people are there to love him, watch that personality shine! He'll happily play with you, come over for some pets, and before long, you may find this boy climbing right into your lap. He's the kind of kitten who gets better and better the more you get to know him -- and the payoff is a sweet, affectionate lap kitty who wants to be part of the family.
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Upcoming Events
See our Facebook page for more info
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November 7
Petco Meet & Greet
5125 Jonestown Rd., Hbg.
11:00AM - 2:00PM
November 21
Petco Meet & Greet
5125 Jonestown Rd., Hbg.
11:00AM - 2:00PM
CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ANY EVENTS THAT MAY BE SCHEDULED AFTER THIS MAILING.
And don't forget that you can also meet some of our available cats and kittens in the habitats at Petco Mechanicsburg, 6416 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg and Petco Colonial Park, 5125 Jonestown Rd., Hbg. and Petco High Pointe Blvd., 4621 High Pointe Blvd, Harrisburg, whenever these stores are open. We are very grateful for our partnerships with these fine stores!
| | As Castaway Critters celebrates 25 years of rescue work, being named Harrisburg Magazine’s Simply the Best Non-Profit Animal Rescue makes this milestone anniversary extra special. Castaway Critters has been a sanctuary for the forgotten, the fragile, and the brave. Since our journey began in 2001, we have dedicated a quarter-century to answering the calls that others might shy away from—running toward the most difficult cases with open arms and steady hope. From large-scale rescues including the neglected and abused to the quietest senior souls, our mission has remained unchanged through the decades: to ensure that no animal feels abandoned and that every "castaway" finds their way home. As we celebrate this milestone in 2026, we look back on over 11,000 lives we transformed and forward to a future where our commitment to love and rescue remains as fierce as it was on day one. We spend every day trying to be Simply the Best. | | | | |
