Considering a new companion?  Don’t miss kittens on parade

by Christy Doherty

 

Their pawprints are feather soft, and too many to count on the broken road paved with hope for a forever home. Cat Adoption Team works nonstop to unite homeless kitties with loving families, and to train volunteers to join their ever-expanding team.

 

Felines arrive at CAT at every age and stage, including “bottle babies,” refugees from wildfires, and older campaigners from other states — like Morello.

 

Morello’s sweetness, strength and kindness from day one belies the cruelty he has experienced, including large wounds on his sides and bullet fragments in his head. Still, all he wants is a lap to purr in. While being treated at CAT, a lung tumor was also found. Still, an adopter has stepped up, even though Morello’s life may be brief.

 

Whether the furry soul is a kitten or an older chap, the goal is to finally come home, forever – however long or short forever may be.

 

Currently CAT is gearing up for its Kitten Palooza annual adoption event. Despite the pandemic, it promises to be great fun and successful. CAT’s largest event is more than 10 years running.

 

“The first year, we did 25 adoptions, which was a big day for us,” says Heather Svoboda Miller, CAT Communications and Development Manager.

 

Before the pandemic, Kitten Palooza saw more than 500 visitors and close to 100 adoptions of cats and kittens.

“Of course, during the pandemic we simply can’t have an event that big,” says Svoboda Miller. “We switched Kitten Palooza last year from a one-day in-person event to a two-day virtual event with a drive-thru pickup parade. We still had more than 70 kittens for adoption all at the same time, and all listed in one place on our website.” While there were a few snags, she says, “Overall, it was a huge success with 73 kittens finding loving new homes.”

 

Changes this year include Kitten Palooza concluding CAT’s first ever Online Kitten Week, June 20-27. Featured will be daily virtual activities on CAT’s Instagram and Facebook pages such as behind-the-scenes videos, how-to’s, trivia, and more — all about kittens, of course.

 

Friday, June 25, up to 75 kittens will be ready for adoption applications at catadoptionteam.org/adopt starting at 10am and running until all kittens have homes. Saturday, approved adopters will attend virtual adoption counseling sessions helping to ensure great matches and successful transitions. On Sunday, adopters will participate in a drive thru “Palooza Pick Up Parade” at the shelter in Sherwood.

 

If you or someone you know is considering a new feline family member or would like to lend a hand to the care of homeless cats through fostering or volunteering, visit catadoptionteam.org.