Mission + Vision
The mission of the Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society is to provide a safe and peaceful haven for homeless, abandoned or abused animals. We will help decrease the number of cats and dogs being destroyed in kill shelters through the work of our adoption, trap-neuter-return, and education programs.
The vision of the Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society is a world where every companion animal is respected, fed, warm, happy, and not in danger of being killed because it is temporarily homeless.
Our Story
In 2010, sisters Christie and Michelle Arlotta formed Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society; an organization that puts a positive light on animal rescue efforts. They knew that they wanted to change the fate of homeless, abandoned, or abused animals, while offering them a safe and peaceful haven during the transition.
Through the help of our leadership and animal care volunteers, board members, donations, and grants, we are able to operate our adoption, trap-neuter-return,
and education programs to further our mission. We are a volunteer-run, New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an adoption center in Milltown. Every year, special events, including the annual spring gala Paws for Celebration, are held to celebrate the organization’s accomplishments as well as raise much-needed funds to continue saving precious lives.
We are not a religious organization and we mean no disrespect of any organization that identifies with the concept of karma or the study of zen.
Karma Cat + Zen Dog vows to treat all persons with respect and consideration – regardless of race or color; religion or creed; national origin, nationality, or ancestry; sex, pregnancy, or breastfeeding; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; disability; marital status or domestic partnership/civil union status; and/or liability for military service.
Karma + Zen
Rescuing an animal must create good karma – though this is not why we do it. To rescue an animal is to literally save a life – to change their fate or destiny. Saving a friendly animal from a harsh life outside, from a hoarding situation or from having litter after litter because they are not spayed … lives saved. If some good karma comes along with it – bonus!
Zen can be considered a state of mind – particularly one that is calm. When we thought of the rescue process – going from a situation that is probably far from ideal to one of calmness and safety – the state of zen came to mind. That is the goal – to move animals into that calm state so that they can flourish and, in turn, find their forever homes.
Karma – one of the first cats rescued under our name – along with her five newborn babies, “The Meepers”. Karma and her babies were found living under a pile of old scrap wood outside. They were cold, wet and hungry. Karma weened her babies and allowed us the privilege of handling and socializing them. All her babies were adopted out to loving forever homes and Karma was spayed and vaccinated – ready to be put back outside with her colony. However, Karma decided she didn’t really want to live outside anymore – she was officially adopted in 2011.