The Retirement Roost Rescue

05/05/2026

Please make sure you take your nets down when you’re done. Wildlife gets stuck in them more than people realize… turkeys, baby deer, owls, and so many others.
It takes 30 seconds and can save a life.

10/24/2025

Looking to adopt or help cats in need? Please check out the amazing group that saved Cuddles and John Wick, two of our own rescue stories here in Vermont. Saving Belladonna is a small but mighty rescue working in the heart of NYC. They focus on helping, saving, and preventing more stray, feral, and abandoned cats.

Right now, they’re caring for 41 cats inside, which means they’re at capacity and cannot take in more. They need to adopt out these sweet babies so they can bring in the hundreds of cats they feed daily on the streets. Cats for adoption include bonded pairs, seniors, and a few shy or special-needs cats who deserve a chance. Sadly, new cats keep being dumped in their colonies, and they’re trying hard to get their numbers down to so they can keep rescuing more.

If you’re looking to adopt, please start here. They will happily drive cats to the right homes. These kitties just need love, patience, and a safe place to land.

Follow and support
Based in NYC | Transport available!!!
Adopt, share, or donate — every bit helps save lives

10/13/2025

In Memory of Cuddles

The last few weeks have been heartbreaking and a few days ago writing this post seemed unimaginable. We lost two chickens at the end of September, which was a reminder that we desperately needed safety upgrades - which were made.

On October 9th at 10:00am, the bobcat that’s been visiting often went after our rescue cats - something I researched a lot and never thought would end like it did. Cuddles hid behind the garage but ran out when John was in danger. She stood her ground for over a minute before the bobcat noticed her. She put up one hell of a fight, but I’m so sad to say she didn’t make it.

Almost four years ago Cuddles came to Vermont through two amazing rescues and hundreds of amazing supporters - and with her fav cat pal John Wick. They were once called “unadoptable” due to their past lives, inability to trust humans, and feral like behavior. My now 6 year old son named her, and she was unofficially his cat. Explaining this kind of loss to a child is heartbreaking.

John is now safe inside. Despite my husband’s allergies, he’s been incredibly supportive. John’s been purring, cuddling, even getting along with our dog - he and I are healing together.

Rescue work is full of love, loss, hope, and unfortunately heartbreak. Cuddles was John’s protecter, it’s been clear for years she kept him safe. She was brave, entertaining, gentle, and so loved. Every morning I open my eyes I hope it was a nightmare but remember the footage I saw on the security cameras and my heart breaks all over. She was so special and she did not deserve to go out like that.

The bobcat has been back but John is safe while we figure out the next steps.

- The Retirement Roost Rescue
“Giving forgotten animals a safe place to rest.”

09/28/2025

It’s been a busy season here at the rescue! We’ve been quiet on updates because we’ve been hard at work rearranging our setup, digging, measuring, and building a secure fenced-in area so our 31 residents (including 3 roosters!) can safely mingle together.

Our mission has also been shifting and lately we’ve been focusing on educating and assisting in rehoming efforts rather than actual intake. The honest reason is, it’s a lot to add to my plate during some months/seasons. No matter what, our overall mission has been to ensure that every bird has the chance for a safe and happy future.

Unfortunately, wildlife pressure has been intense this year, and we’ve had to make some quick decision repairs and reinforcements after a few heartbreaking losses.

Our current repair/update project has cost $454.74 so far, with a beautiful $50 donation. Our account has been at $0 for a while since I only fundraise for project/vet expenses or when k really need h**p. Otherwise, the food cost and small things here and there are full donated by me. I’m working on applying for small grants, but in the meantime, any support is deeply appreciated.

I have some items I plan to raffle off to those who donate, I just don’t have time to go full out with fundraising right now. This bobcat is too eager and the chickens want more space. Note: they do have a 12x12 run and a 12x8 coop, plus one in the hospital/intake pen that’s 6x4 with a 8x4 run. But these chickens deserve to be spoiled.

This rescue is a true passion of mine, and your help means the world - not just to me, but to every retired hen and rooster who gets a safe place to call home.

If you’d like to support, donations will go directly toward securing this new safe space for our flock. Every little bit truly makes a difference.

We have Venmo, who takes a certain percentage, or you can Venmo me directly to donate the full 100% - just mention ‘rescue’ or something so I know.

Shoutout to my amazing husband and patience son who dedicate their free time with me and my friends who have donated and helped along the way!

Venmo: retirementroostrescue or Rosemary-Rittenhour

Stay Passionate!

07/25/2025

This time of year I'm flooded with messages about abandoned and unwanted roosters. I can only take in so many and at this time I'm at capacity physically and financially.

I've been relying heavily on my website as a resource to send to people, which includes a few rescues and sanctuaries available for intake. However, sometimes it's helpful to have local people as resources too.
If you would like to be added to my website as a possible home for abandoned chickens, most likely roosters, and these animals will have a safe and secure life - meaning not killed.

Please comment below or email me with your name and either a phone number or email where people can reach out to you. Please include your city and state.

My email is [email protected]

04/16/2025

It’s baby chick season!

Which means... people are about to start rotating their flocks, ditching hens, and realizing that “Henrietta” is actually a Henry.

I’m building a go-to list of folks who can talk chicken, aka people who can help rehome or take in birds in need and have the same mission as our rescue.

If you’re someone who can step in for:
Roosters
Injured or sick birds
Seniors retired hens
Anything feathered and forgotten

Please email me your:
Name
Location (town + state)
Contact info
What you can take in

Let’s get ahead of the chaos and build a network that can keep these birds safe.

We do not assist in situations that don’t align with our values - like treating animals as disposable. But sometimes situations are urgent, and it’s better to have a plan in place than panic when a bird needs help.

[email protected]
southern Vermont

Feel free to share
Stay passionate!

04/16/2025

It’s baby chick season!

Which means… people are about to start rotating their flocks, ditching hens, and realizing that “Henrietta” is actually a Henry.

I’m building a go-to list of folks who can talk chicken, aka people who can help rehome or take in birds in need and have the same mission as our rescue.

If you’re someone who can step in for:

Roosters
Injured or sick birds
Seniors/retired hens
Anything feathered and forgotten

Please email me your:
Name
Location (town + state)
Contact info
What you can take in

Let’s get ahead of the chaos and build a network that can keep these birds safe.

We do not assist in situations that don’t align with our values — like treating animals as disposable. But sometimes situations are urgent, and it’s better to have a plan in place than panic when a bird needs help.

[email protected]
southern Vermont

Feel free to share

Stay passionate!

03/29/2025

Meet Mrs. Noodles.

An elderly lady ordered two batches of chicks from a local feed store. She noticed one was being picked up, which came up in conversation when she was speaking with a friend of mine.

My friend knew it wasn’t right to leave this one to fight for her survival. Thankfully she stepped in and snuck this sweet girl home.

She reached out to me for help because the chick cannot use one of her legs. I explained that chickens have an instinctual behavior to be mean and pick on one if it is weak or different. The reason why they do this is because in the wild, a weak chick could attract predators or compete for limited sources. So, chicks will often target the weakest member it’s a primal, protect the flock instinct

At first I thought she may have injured her leg during shipment, but they were from a local feed store and the injury was either due to a slippery brooder floor or other chicks.

I never take in chicks, and I usually don’t deal with leg issues. However, here I am!

Let’s root for Mrs. Noodles.

01/23/2025

These five ducks started showing up at a pond not long ago, obviously abandoned domesticated ducks. Due to their domesticated state, they - like all other domesticated animals - lack the skills needed to survive.

With no shelter or survival skills, four became frozen in the pond and hawks started eating them alive.

An amazing lady melted them out of the ice and is giving them temporary shelter. Key word, temporary.

My friend reached out to help, so now I’m reaching out for help. We will make the logistics work. One is badly injured, all need a good home.

Please message me if you have room or share to spread the word.

Link to the story:

No animal deserves this. Five domestic ducks were dumped at a pond, completely defenseless. They had no survival skills, no way to find food, and no chance against the brutal cold. Then it got worse. As temperatures dropped, four became frozen into the ice, trapped and helpless. Hawks began attackin...

09/09/2024

Amazing Miller update! This photo makes my heart melt because his eyes and expression shows a more relaxed cat. Thank you Fur the Love of Animals 🤍

✨NEW FOSTER✨

Last Thursday, Fur the Love of Animals welcomed a new foster cat. Dubbed “Millie” by Rose of The Retirement Roost Rescue who was amazing and temporarily provided care to the stray, it turns out he’s actually a “Miller.” Prior to arriving at the house, this little guy received veterinary care thanks to Rose and the team at Windham County Humane Society. He is now up-to-date on his vaccines and neutered. He also tested negative on his FIV/FELV test.

With his clean bill of health, we can focus our efforts elsewhere. Estimated to be around 2 years old, this lil’ fella only weighs about 6.5 lbs. Over the next few months we’ll be helping him steadily gain weight in addition to providing gentle support in preparing him to live in a home after being out on his own.

When he’s ready, we’ll be putting him up for adoption. 🤍

Since arriving late last week, we’ve been keeping our visits to a minimum to allow him space to decompress. Every time we go into his room it takes several minutes to find him—he excels at hiding and squeezing himself into tiny spaces. 😂 Jared began calling him Houdini, and it has stuck.

Stay tuned for regular updates!

If you’d like to support Houdini’s care, you can make a monetary donation by clicking on this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4VEA6V8X79XX2 Interacting with and sharing our social media posts is also super helpful!

Thank you for your support. 🙏🏼