Pets of the Week
Animal Welfare Society "Kitten Shower" is this Saturday
YORK and OGUNQUIT - The Animal Welfare Society (AWS) is urging local schools, scout troops, church groups, bridge clubs, bowling leagues, businesses and any other groups to take the "Project Kitten Challenge" by collecting the largest amount in total weight of desperately needed kitten supplies.
Competing groups are asked to collect donations of Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR), dry and canned kitten food, cat litter and toys and to deliver the donated items to the AWS shelter in Kennebunk on Saturday, May 5, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Expecting over 600 new mouths to feed, AWS recently launched the Fifth Annual "Project Kitten" campaign in order to raise public awareness of the cat overpopulation problem in Southern Maine and generate much-needed donations of supplies to help care for hundreds of anticipated new arrivals.
Sponsored by AMICA Insurance and the Kennel Shop, adoption, sterilization and involvement are central themes this year.
Honorary Campaign Chair Eva Matteson from the Coast 93.1 morning show, will announce winners of the "Project Kitten Challenge" on May 5 at 1:30 p.m. during the official weigh-in ceremony at the Kitten Shower.
In addition to bragging rights, the winning group will win a special group prize and will be featured in a future AWS newsletter and on the website as the 2007 Project Kitten Champions.
The public is invited to visit AWS for the Kitten Shower to bring donations and participate in educational and fun activities, learn more about fostering kittens, meet shelter staff and volunteers and share the excitement of the official weigh-in ceremony. AWS will also be hosting a "Cat and Kitten Alumni Photo Contest." For only $5, your cat or kitten can be entered into the contest and possibly win the title of 2007 Project Kitten Alumni Winner.
"The Kitten Shower offers the AWS a chance to educate our clients about the importance of spaying and neutering, the adoption option and the challenges that animal shelters face each year," said AWS Executive Director Steve Jacobsen. "Introducing the ‘Project Kitten Challenge' seemed like a good way to add friendly competition, excitement, and fun to an important campaign that will also bring in supplies to care for hundreds of kittens in 2007."
In 2006, the Animal Welfare Society provided foster care for over 449 kittens, with almost all eventually adopted from the shelter into permanent homes. According to the Humane Society of the United States, a fertile cat can produce an average of three litters per year with an average of between four and six kittens in each litter. The AWS message of prevention and preparedness advocates for the spaying or neutering family pets as well as caring for the hundreds of unwanted kittens that come to us every year.
For more information on "Project Kitten" and AWS spay/neuter assistance programs, contact Jill Fogg at 712-4959 or jillszop@yahoo.com or visit the AWS website at www.animalwelfaresociety.org.
