At Cat Noir Rescue, our mission is to give a voice—and a forever home—to the cats that are too often overlooked: black cats. Rooted in compassion, education, and action, we work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray and abandoned cats, with a special focus on black cats, who face the highest rates of shelter euthanasia due to outdated superstitions and low adoption rates.

Our story began with a little black kitten named Black Beauty, found on a Minnesota farm by our founder, Marissa, when she was just four years old. That cat sparked a lifelong love for black cats and a deep understanding of their magical, misunderstood nature. Growing up around feral cat colonies on a rural farm, Marissa developed a natural intuition for feline behavior and care at an early age. Her childhood was filled with taming shy barn cats, helping provide food and shelter, and observing the complex dynamics of colony life.

With an innate ability to read cat body language and behavior, Marissa now uses her experience to guide fosters, support adopters, and help ensure successful placements—especially for cats who need a little extra patience and understanding.

Today, Cat Noir Rescue is based in Los Angeles and operates as a foster-based rescue. Every cat in our care gets the love and attention of a real home—not a shelter cage—while we work to find their perfect match. We provide medical care, socialization, and behavioral support through every step of the journey. And while black cats are our priority, we believe every cat deserves love, regardless of color.