September - It's cuddle time with your rescue!

September 2026

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 lost and forgotten, the sick, neglected, abused, injured and abandoned animals in our community. We believe every life is worth saving!

Donate!

Fun Guy (above) is a 14-week-old sassy man with a lot of love to give. In classic "tuxie" fashion, he came to us with an attitude, but he was quickly made into a cuddle bug who simply cannot get enough affection. With that adorable little face, who can resist giving in to pets and scratches at his beck and call! He's a playful dude and enjoys wand toys and stuffed toys. He adores other kitties and could possibly be fine with calm and respectful dogs and children. Otherwise, this vocal boy will be your truest companion and follow you all around the house!

WE ARE HAVING AN ONLINE HALLOWEEN PET COSTUME CONTEST

Start getting your creative hats on! Castaway Critters will be holding a Virtual Halloween Pet Costume Contest from October 1 thru October 30.

We say Pet because it is open to any kind of pet. You have a goat? It can be entered. You have a rabbit? It can be entered. You have an Iguana? Well, you get the picture. You will want to get in on this as there will be some prizes.

Starting on October 1, you'll be able to enter or start voting for your favorite photo.

For more info on Rules and Prizes, and where to enter, stay tuned to our Facebook page and we will be posting everything soon.

SAVING THE HURT, THE ABUSED, THE NEGLECTED AND DISCARDED

In line with our mission, this month’s story highlights Petey, a brave rescue who survived the unimaginable. After being thrown from a moving vehicle and hit by the trailing car, he was rushed 90 minutes away to a specialty hospital in Malvern, PA. Doctors successfully repaired his severely broken leg, while a second fractured leg is thankfully healing on its own. Though Petey still has a long road to recovery, he is currently healing comfortably in a wonderful foster home and is expected to make a full recovery. We will continue to do our best to find out who may have done this to Petey and get him the justice he deserves.

LITTLE CAESER FUNDRAISER

SEPTEMBER 1 THRU 30

School is back in session, and so are sports, band and endless after-school activities! Save your time and sanity on busy nights with Little Caesars Pizza Kits--from personal pizzas to family bundles. Quick, easy and stress-free.

From now until Sept. 30, click on this link to get started: Products | Little Caesars Fundraising.

If you live near a Little Caesars, you can use a Meal Deal Code to pick up your order directly at the store. Don't live near a Little Caesars? No worries, they ship anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week" runs from September 14 to September 20

Let’s be honest: not every animal in a shelter is outgoing, playful, or eager to cuddle. Some pets are naturally shy, while others need time to trust after going through difficult pasts. Others end up overlooked simply because they are seniors or have special needs.

None of this means these animals don't deserve a place to call their own—they just need a different kind of home. Many thrive in quiet environments where they can enjoy a warm bed, a full bowl of food, and the freedom to interact purely on their own terms. Or may just need a little bit extra care. Giving a pet space to feel safe and comfortable is its own form of love.

"Less adoptable" doesn't mean unadoptable—it simply means these animals are looking for a very specific home. If you want to make a lifesaving impact with a pet that fits your lifestyle, take a look at some of these wonderful animals. They might be your perfect match if you are looking for:

An Independent Companion: A low-maintenance pet who is content doing their own thing without demanding constant attention.
A Loving Senior: A gentle older pet who just wants a comforting presence to share their golden years.
A Dedicated Caregiver Goal: A pet needing simple daily medication from someone who isn't afraid to give them a little extra routine care.

SO DOGGONE CUTE

Meet bonded besties Lulu & Rusty! At 10 years young, these lovable senior ladies are looking for their forever home—together! They're total people-lovers, great with other small dogs, and perfect for families with kids over 8. They do require a cat-free household. Since they're an inseparable pair, they must be adopted together.

Pa Kennel 04736

🐾 Ready to make Lulu and Rusty 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 8-month-old Choc who is as sweet as her name. She is always up for a game and loves to show off what a great hunter she is. She has already charmed her older foster brothers taking turns with treats and brushing. She loves to follow her foster mom all over the house and stand up for head scrubs. She doesn't like to be held but will climb in your lap for pets. Choc is very neat in the food and litter areas.

Upcoming Events

See our Facebook page for more info

September 5

Petco Meet & Greet

5125 Jonestown Rd., Hbg.

11:00AM - 2:00PM

September 12

Petco Soup & Bake Sale

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. 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 almost 15,000 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.