After posting an explicit warning that MAGA supporters, conservatives, and apolitical applicants need not apply, a New York City kitten rescue is defending its screening process against mounting criticism — including from PETA, which called on the group to scrap the ideological ban. "Homeless animals don’t care which side of abortion you are on or whether you believe in global warming or support Palestine or Israel, or if you don’t vote at all, ever: they care if you love them and will give them a good home," PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk told Fox News Digital. "We hope this policy, which is humancentric, is reconsidered and abolished," Newkirk said.
The dispute centers on Itty Bitty City Kitties, a Rockaway Beach-based rescue that describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit specializing in orphaned and neonatal kittens, feral-cat welfare and adoptions. The organization is also listed among New York state’s registered pet rescues. ONE OF NATION'S LARGEST CHRISTIAN FOSTER AGENCIES WILL NOT ALLOW LGBTQ COUPLES TO ADOPT CHILDREN In a social media post reviewed by Fox News Digital, the rescue laid out a series of political positions it said could disqualify prospective adopters.
Still nope." An accompanying image of a kitten bore the message, "NO. MAGA." The post drew wider attention after Libs of TikTok posted it on X, prompting questions about whether the language represented the rescue’s actual adoption practices. Fox News Digital contacted Itty Bitty City Kitties and asked whether an applicant could be rejected for identifying as MAGA, conservative or apolitical.
Samantha Knox, who has publicly identified herself as the director of Itty Bitty City Kitties, defended the organization’s screening approach by saying its overriding responsibility is the welfare of the animals in its care. "As an animal welfare rescue, our primary responsibility is ensuring the animals in our care go to safe, compassionate homes," Knox told Fox News Digital. She said the organization considers "public conduct and demonstrated values" and argued that a record of "celebrat[ing] cruelty" can raise concerns about an applicant’s suitability to care for an animal.
"A history of celebrating harm or abuse, be it toward people or animals, is one of the biggest red flags in animal rescue," Knox said. "We stand by our mission and will never place a vulnerable animal with anyone, ever, who we feel is a danger to the welfare of the animal." OREGON SETTLES WITH CHRISTIAN MOTHER DENIED FOSTER CARE ADOPTION OVER GENDER IDENTITY BELIEFS Fox News Digital followed up with a narrower question, asking whether a person who identifies as MAGA or conservative, but has no documented history of animal cruelty, threats, neglect or violence, would be eligible to adopt. "Itty Bitty City Kitties does not screen or reject applicants based on registered political party affiliation," Knox responded.
"MAGA is a political movement and ideology, not a recognized political party." Knox said adoption evaluations instead concern "conduct, ethical alignment, and animal safety." "We reserve the right to reject any application where an applicant’s expressed values, public statements, or actions demonstrate a failure to meet our safety and welfare standards," she said. NEW JERSEY POLICE PULL OUT 3-FOOT PYTHON FROM WOMAN'S CAR GRILLE, BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS Asked again whether a MAGA or conservative applicant without a history of cruelty, threats, neglect or violence could adopt from the organization, Knox did not provide a yes-or-no answer. "Media-driven requests to force complex animal welfare evaluations into a binary ‘yes or no’ premise fundamentally misrepresent how responsible adoption screenings operate," she said.
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