BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A local cat rescue group is asking for the public’s help to open a kitten orphanage in Bakersfield.

They may be cute and cuddly, but many cats or kittens may not be alive today if it weren't for the Orphaned Kitten Rescue and Adoption.

"We rescue kittens under four weeks, we bottle feed and get them their shots. It's just a real nice feeling to know you saved a baby from a certain death," said Peggie Soltis of OKRA.

Soltis said stray kittens have few options. Try to survive on the streets or try to survive in one of the county's few animal shelters.

"They have about a one in five chance of coming out of there and if they're under 8 weeks they have no chance. Its same day euthanasia. Those are the ones we rescue," said Soltis.

Currently 20 rescued kittens live at Soltis' small pet grooming shop in east Bakersfield.

"We're totally full right now. We're getting calls everyday from people who want to give us more kittens so we don't have room. We need some adoptions, and we need the money," said Soltis.

She said they need money to buy a home they plan to convert into a kitten orphanage. That's why she closed up her shop for the week and opened up a fireworks stand in hopes of raising enough money for a down payment.

Kathi Briefer-Gose said knowing she's helping rescue kittens by buying fireworks from OKRA really gave her a bang for her buck.

"Oh, I'm a big time animal lover and we adopted a kitten from OKRA three years ago. We need to cut down on the feral cat population in this town so I'm all for this," said Briefer-Gose.

Anyone who would like to buy fireworks to help OKRA can find the stand at 1800 California Ave., west of Mount Vernon.