The Birth of a Mission: The History of MAKK’s Street Cat Rescue

Every local movement starts with a single observation. For the founder of MAKK’s Street Cat Rescue, that moment came in 2016 upon purchasing a first home in Connersville.

MaKenzie Grothe has always been an animal lover. When she moved into a new home ten years ago, 

what was meant to be a personal milestone revealed a heartbreaking community crisis: a neighborhood overrun by a colony of nearly 30 stray cats.

The reality of “street life” for these animals was flea infestations, kittens lost to traffic, and young females trapped in a cycle of endless pregnancies. This sparked a decade-long journey of advocacy that officially culminated in July 2024, when MAKK’s became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Grothe’s roots are humble and self-funded. In the early days, she worked month to be fixed and vaccinated as finances allowed.

The results were transformative. By managing the colony through what is known as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the population stabilized, fighting decreased, and the health of the remaining “regulars” soared.

“Cats truly thrive after something as simple as getting them fixed,” Grothe said. “Quality of life comes back as their bodies aren’t being depleted 24/7 from always being pregnant.”

Now an official non-profit, MAKK’s operates as a foster-based rescue. Their work is split into two vital pillars, which are Rescue & Rehabilitation: Finding “forever homes” for sick and injured cats and kittens and Community Management: reducing overpopulation through TNR for stray and feral colonies.

The passion for this work traces back to Grothe’s childhood and the influence of a grandmother who instilled a deep love for all creatures. This lifelong commitment, from fixing a first stray in high school to managing large-scale colonies today, is driven by a simple philosophy: “A little compassion goes a long way.”

The rescue is currently tackling a significant backlog. Since last August, MAKK’s has maintained a list of local stray colonies with dedicated caretakers who need help with sterilization and vaccinations.

To fund this mission, the rescue is currently hosting a T-shirt Fundraiser.

• The Impact: $8 from every shirt sold goes directly toward fixing and vaccinating Connersville’s community cats.
• Deadline: The last day to order is March 5.

How You Can Help

As a 501(c)(3) charity, all donations to MAKK’s Street Cat Rescue are tax-deductible. Contributions directly fund medical care and population control efforts that improve the lives of animals throughout the city.

Mail: PO Box 583 Connersville, IN 47331

Paypal: makksstreetcatrescue@gmail.com

Facebook: MAKK’s Street Cat Rescue

Email: makksstreetcatrescue@gmail.com

“It’s truly an animal crisis all around the world,” Grothe noted. “Too many animals, and not enough good homes. If I can make a small difference in the lives of a few, it makes it worth it to me.”