A local no-kill cat rescue is calling for donations to use in its annual online auction in September.
The nonprofit Furry Friends requires about $230,000 a year to operate, which includes costs for medical procedures and cat food, said Marketing Director Diane Stevens. The cat rescue runs solely on donations and volunteers.
“We will spend money to do an operation so that the kitties can live on to have a happy life,” Stevens said.
Community members have already donated items like framed artwork, sculptures, cat towers and an array of gift baskets, she said.
Stevens said she hopes to receive donations for experiences, such as escape room tickets, kayaking and movie passes.
This year’s theme revolves around the magical world of Mary Poppins, which Stevens is calling the “Meowy Pawpins” online auction. Fans of the movie can even bid on themed gift baskets.
Auction items will continue to be added to the website until the event begins in September.
Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery is also joining the fundraiser by donating 20 percent of its proceeds from Sept. 13 to Sept. 17.
Stevens said last year Dr. Virginia Huang raised about $5,000 for Furry Friends.
The rescue shelter is home to about 130 kittens and cats, and around 30 are ready to go home with adoptive families. Before a cat or kitten can be adopted, they receive all the required vaccines, as well as spay or neuter operations.
“There’s going to be a whole lot of them that are becoming ready for adoption,” Stevens said.
The nonprofit uses donations to pay for dental cleanings, which cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000, she said. Some rescues need more attention, like the kitten named Prince.
A fairly young cat, Prince, suffered internal damage after an object was dropped on him, Stevens said. The owners took him to a veterinarian for euthanization, but the doctor called Furry Friends to see if they wanted to take him in.
“We felt like we needed to take care of this kitten,” she said.
Prince had surgery to repair some of his organs and he is in recovery.
Furry Friends strongly encourages people interested in adoption to make an appointment before coming to the shelter. Petfinder.com also allows potential pet parents to look at available kittens.
The 13th annual auction will be held from 8 a.m. on Sept. 15 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 18. Bid winners can pick up their prizes from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 19 or from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 20.
People can contribute to the auction until Aug. 1 by going online to furryfriendswa.org/donate.
Those interested in donating can also purchase items online and have them shipped directly to the shelter. The nonprofit created an AmazonSmile account, which contributes half of a percent of the profit from Amazon purchases to Furry Friends.
