PORT ORCHARD — From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29, there’ll be all new politicians in the Port Orchard City Hall, and though they weren’t voted into office, they’ll surely be a welcome site.
Kitsap Humane Society is holding “Kitty Hall” for the first time ever in Port Orchard, Poulsbo (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8) and Bainbridge Island (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15).
“The city halls will be taken over by all things kitty,” said Denise Caruso, KHS marketing director, “including adoptable cats and kittens looking for homes. KHS will be giving out Kitty Hall-themed giveaways and have booths with information for animal owners.”
Caruso said Kitty Hall, while new in Kitsap, is something other cities including Seattle have done with “great success.”
“It is a wonderful way to increase awareness of all the cats and kittens that shelters get in during the busy summer months,” Caruso said. “The mayors of Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island and Port Orchard have been great in supporting the concept and the events.”
Port Orchard Mayor Robert Putaansuu said, “In partnership with the Kitsap Humane Society, the City of Port Orchard supports adoption of all animals and hopes that our Kitty Hall Day will be able to help place all the kittens and cats in that ‘purrfect’ home!”
Caruso said booths at Kitty Hall will have information available on low-cost spay/neuter opportunities for cats; barn cats; how to foster kittens; volunteer opportunities; and cat behavior. KHS will also accept donated items from its wish list to help support the cats and kittens. That wish list includes towels, blankets and linens; washable cat toys; plush cat beds; Stretch & Scratch cat scratchers; kitty condos; litter; canned (wet) cat and kitten food; stainless steel food and water bowls; and more. For a full list of wish-list items and more details on brands, visit www.kitsap-humane.org/support-us/in-kind-donations.
“Kitsap Humane Society is so excited to host our first ever Kitty Hall events,” said Samantha Fairweather, KHS adoption coordinator. “We think they will be a great way to connect with the community and to promote cat adoptions and our other cat-related programs like fostering, vet care and volunteering. KHS took in over 3,500 cats and kittens in 2016 and is on track to take in at least that many kitties again in 2017. We know Kitsap County is full of cat lovers!”
As of Aug. 4, KHS had 50 kittens and cats available for adoption.
Kitsap Humane Society is a private, nonprofit charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908. KHS admits more than 6,000 animals per year and has one of the highest lives-saved rates in the U.S. KHS’s vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home. For more information, visit kitsap-humane.org.
Michelle Beahm is the online editor for the Kitsap News Group. She can be reached at mbeahm@soundpublishing.com.
