Our Amazing Team
Meet the Hearts Behind the Rescue
A Kitten Place began with two women who couldn’t ignore the smallest cries for help. Michelle Bass and Alicia Pollock turned their passion for rescuing vulnerable kittens into a volunteer-run mission serving the Tampa Bay area. Their leadership — alongside an incredible community of fosters, adopters, and donors — continues to guide the rescue’s work every day.
Michelle Bass
President/ Co-Founder
- Co-Founder since 2019
- Graduate certificate in non-profit management
- Extensive rescue and non-profit experience
- Focused on neonatal and special needs kittens
Read my Story
I am a wife and mother of two, and a lifelong animal lover. While attending the University of South Florida in my late teens and early twenties, I knew wanted a career that involved helping animals, even though I wasn’t yet sure what that path would look like. An internship at the SPCA in Pinellas County helped me discover my true calling and sparked a long-term dream of rescuing animals and one day opening an animal shelter.
I developed a strong passion for nonprofit work and earned a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from USF. Over the years, I worked with several non-profit organizations, including Southeastern Guide Dogs, the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
When my children became more independent, I decided it was time to combine my nonprofit experience with my passion for animals and start a kitten rescue. Alicia and I met through rescue work and quickly realized we were a strong team who could rely on one another. Together, we made the decision to start A Kitten Place.
Our focus is on neonatal kittens, special-needs cases. and critical care kittens, while also rescuing pregnant cats–both feral and friendly–providing them a safe place to have their final litter.
Our motto, “No Kitten Left Behind,” reflects our commitment to the special needs of the cats and kittens in our care.
Alicia Pollock
Vice-President/ Co-Founder
- Co-Founder since 2019
- Over a decade of animal rescue experience
- Proud foster and adopter of several special needs pets
- Passionate for nurturing special needs and injured kittens
Read my Story
With over 13 years of experience in animal rescue, I have dedicated my life to helping the most vulnerable members of the feline community. In 2019, Michelle, a fellow rescue, and I recognized a significant gap in the rescue world: the need for a dedicated organization to care for neonates and special needs kittens. This realization led to the founding of A Kitten Place, where my passion for nurturing special needs and injured kittens continues to drive the organization’s mission. Our commitment to these delicate lives is at the heart of every rescue, ensuring that each kitten receives the care and attention they need to thrive.
On a personal note, I have a long-standing career with Progressive Auto Insurance, where I have been employed for the last 27 years. Currently, I serve as a System Consultant. Mike and I currently have two rescue dogs, one with special needs. We have five rescue cats; three that are tri-pawed rescues, a rescue kitten with an esophageal stricter, and a typical ‘4-legger’ healthy rescue cat. My daughter graduated from University of Central Florida and resides in Riverview. She also has a huge heart for animals and has adopted three rescue cats of her own. Plus, she serves as a foster parent for A Kitten Place.
Why We Started A Kitten Place
“After years in rescue, we saw too many neonatal and special-needs kittens turned away because they needed more care than shelters could provide. We created A Kitten Place so the tiniest, most vulnerable kittens would always have a chance to survive, heal, and find loving homes.”
Help Us Save More Kittens
A Kitten Place is 100% volunteer-run, so every dollar you give goes straight to saving vulnerable kittens and cats and helping them find loving homes.
Even a small gift of $5 or $10 makes a real difference — it can provide food, litter, medicine, or a warm, safe place to grow.
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