After decades of tireless dedication to cats and the people who care for them, Karen Little is retiring — but her legacy is just getting started.
As the founders of Alley Cat Advocates, Karen and Hoyt Little have helped transform the landscape for community cats in Louisville and beyond. Through Karen’s leadership, more than 86,000 cats have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and given a chance at healthier lives. She has mentored shelters across the country, presented at national conferences, and built a powerful partnership with Louisville Metro Animal Services — helping significantly reduce cat euthanasia in our community.
To honor Karen’s extraordinary impact, we are proud to launch the Karen Little Legacy Campaign with a goal of $86,000 — representing the 86,000 cats whose lives she has changed. These funds will allow Alley Cat Advocates to continue providing gold-standard care for community cats and expand the lifesaving work Karen began.
Thanks to the generosity of a supporter, the first $8,600 in donations will be matched dollar for dollar by generous donor and support, Heather Falmen. That means your gift today will go twice as far to ensure Karen’s life-saving mission continues well into the future.
Karen Little officially retired on February 13th, 2026, and was recognized by Louisville Metro Council. Watch Karen be Recognized!
Karen may be retiring, but with your support, her legacy will live on in every cat helped, every caregiver supported, and every life saved.
Make your gift today in honor of Karen Little and help us carry her vision forward.