A New York kitten rescue is facing backlash after posting that MAGA supporters and conservatives are not welcome to adopt its animals.
“MAGA? Nope. Conservative? Nope. ‘I’m not political’? Nice loophole. Still nope,” Itty Bitty City Kitties wrote on Facebook alongside an image of a kitten carrying the message, “NO. F***ING. MAGA.”
Itty Bitty City Kitties describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit kitten rescue, welfare, and adoption organization based in New York’s Rockaway Beach.
“Our Mission is saving the tiniest of orphan felines, neonatal infant kittens, helping them to grow and thrive,” the organization said on its website.
Kittens on top of a cat tree at Itty Bitty City Kitties based in Rockaway Beach, New York City. (Provided by Itty Bitty City Kitties/Samantha Knox)
Image of the facility at Itty Bitty City Kitties based in Rockaway Beach, New York City. (Provided by Itty Bitty City Kitties/Samantha Knox)
Image of the facility at Itty Bitty City Kitties based in Rockaway Beach, New York City. (Provided by Itty Bitty City Kitties/Samantha Knox)
Image of the facility at Itty Bitty City Kitties based in Rockaway Beach, New York City. (Provided by Itty Bitty City Kitties/Samantha Knox)
Asked by the Washington Examiner whether a kitten could thrive in the home of a conservative, rescue director Samantha Knox said the organization considers an applicant’s conduct and character.
“When an individual publicly promotes, encourages, or celebrates cruelty toward human beings, it raises legitimate concerns regarding their fundamental capacity for empathy toward any vulnerable living creature,” Knox said. “We evaluate applicants based on individual character and observable conduct.”
The rescue has been more explicit on Facebook.
“If your politics involve racism, bigotry, dehumanizing immigrants, or cheering on cruelty toward vulnerable people, please kindly f*** right off,” one post said.
In another post, the organization wrote, “Applications are open for people whose values align with ours, and yes, references will be checked to make sure you’re not a racist piece of s***.”
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The kitten featured in the original post is 7-week-old Tamogotchi, who was rescued along with 10 other kittens after they were abandoned without food or water, according to Knox.
Knox said the organization does not review private voting records or ask applicants about their political party registration. However, it does review applicants’ social media activity.
If an applicant’s public activity demonstrates “rhetoric or actions that celebrate, promote, or encourage cruelty, discrimination, or harm against human beings or animals,” Knox said, the application will not be considered.
Knox also argued that the organization can consider political affiliation in its adoption decisions because it is not a protected class under federal public accommodation statutes. She said the organization establishes eligibility standards based on “applicant conduct, character, and demonstrated empathy to ensure animal safety.”
The Washington Examiner asked Knox whether an applicant with a clean background check and no history of animal abuse or neglect would be considered a safe home, regardless of political affiliation.
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“Where there is clear, documented evidence of public conduct or statements celebrating violence, hostility, or cruelty, that behavior directly factors into our assessment of whether the home is safe and suitable for a fragile animal,” Knox responded.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals disagreed with the rescue’s approach.
“There is a homeless kitten crisis, and to bar people from providing a loving home because their political views aren’t yours is as outrageous as saying no to someone because they are Jewish or Buddhist or from Lithuania,” PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk told the Washington Examiner.
“The only relevant factor is do they have the time, patience, money for veterinary care (which can be expensive) and love in their heart for that kitten (preferably for two so the kittens can keep each other company).”
Knox said any online claims that PETA has the ability to shut the organization down are unfounded.
A kitten being bottle-fed at Itty Bitty City Kitties based in Rockaway Beach, New York City. (Provided by Itty Bitty City Kitties/Samantha Knox)
Backlash follows Facebook post
The rescue said it has received an onslaught of hostile messages following its posts, including threats, profanity, and racial and anti-LGBT slurs.
On Wednesday, Itty Bitty City Kitties posted screenshots of more than a dozen direct messages it said it had received.
“MAGA is having an epic crash out over our simple adoption policy: I do not adopt vulnerable kittens to humans who condone cruelty,” the rescue wrote.
Some messages came from people identifying themselves as Trump voters or conservatives who said they loved cats or had previously adopted animals from the rescue. Other messages contained explicit racial and anti-LGBT slurs.
The rescue responded to the messages in another Facebook post Thursday, describing some of the commenters as “unhinged.”
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“Imagine having to work alongside someone like that every day,” the organization wrote. “Like, what if someone this insane is a teacher in a preschool? Or a nurse in a retirement community? Do these people work with vulnerable humans? I shudder to think.”
Other commenters objected to the adoption policy and argued that political views should have no bearing on whether someone can provide an appropriate home for an animal.
“I have cared for many animals over the years,” one commenter wrote. “I have three cats who are well fed, loved and [treated] like part of our family, which they are. I’m also conservative, Republican, gun owner, white male, heterosexual and a loving grandfather. Wise up.”
Rescue has history of political posts
The adoption controversy is not the first time Itty Bitty City Kitties has used its social media accounts to comment on politics.
On July 12, the rescue posted a photograph on Facebook stating, “The best way to wake up on a Sunday is finding out Lindsey Graham is dead. 10/10. No notes.”
“Not the hateful white f***bag I wish was dead, but I’ll take it for now,” the accompanying caption said, apparently referring to President Donald Trump.
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The rescue has also posted criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and weighed in on the controversy involving Macklemore and Ed Sheeran.
Despite the backlash, Knox said the rescue has experienced an increase in donations and volunteer sign-ups from people who “align with our commitment to strict safety and care standards.”
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
