Purrrr-fect time to pick up a feline pal — or pair, with a ‘two-fur’ offer

By Midge Raymond

With local rescue groups still overflowing with cats and kittens, those wishing to bring home a new family member for the holidays will have opportunities to do so on two upcoming December weekends.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, Ashland-based Friends of the Animals (formerly Friends of the Animal Shelter) will partner with Feral Cat Advocacy (FCA), Melly Cat Rescue, and Hero Tails Animal Sanctuary for a Feline Fair at the Rogue Valley Mall, which is donating space. The event is sponsored by Lithia & Driveway.

“There are so many cats out there who need homes,” says Friends of the Animals Executive Director Sky Loos, “and we really need to open up space in our foster families, so thanks to Lithia’s support, we’re able to do a reduced adoption fee of $50 per cat, and we will be offering a two-fur as well, so you get the second cat at no additional charge.”

There will be up to 50 cats available to adopt at the Feline Fair, many of whom have been in foster care with Friends of the Animals. Having recently changed the organization’s name and mission statement, Loos says that “while we’ll continue to provide volunteer support to Jackson County Animal Shelter to help the animals, we’re also going to be expanding our programs to provide services to the community of Southern Oregon in general. We’re trying to keep animals out of the shelter system altogether. And so we’ll be doing more of these cat adoption events, and we hope in the future to do similar events for dogs.”

The last Friends of the Animals cat adoption event, in October, was “extremely successful,” Loos says. “We adopted out 25 cats, and we’re hoping to do that many, if not more, again.” 

While the goal is to get cats and kittens home for the holidays, Loos notes that prospective adopters shouldn’t go into the adoption process lightly. “Cats are forever; they’re not just for the holidays,” she says. “While a cute little fluffy kitten is appealing, keep in mind that that cute little fluffy kitten is going to grow up into a cat, and it’s a lifetime commitment.”

In another upcoming adoption opportunity, Committed Alliance to Strays (C.A.T.S.), which has more than 350 cats in its program, will have up to 60 cats available at its weekend-long event starting Friday, Dec. 15.

“Think about what you want in a cat before you come in,” advises shelter manager Sandra Fowler. “We view cats as a member of your family. You’re going to have them 10, 15, 20 years. It shouldn’t be a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

For the C.A.T.S. event, Fowler recommends making an appointment for a more efficient visit. “We will see everyone, but those with appointments will be helped first.” Prospective adopters can make appointments and also get an early look at adoptable cats and kittens by visiting the C.A.T.S. website.

And of course, a cat or kitten may not be the right gift for everyone, so cat lovers who are looking for the perfect gift can purchase a C.A.T.S. Kitten Sponsorship. For $200 per kitten, this gift will ensure that kittens get everything they need to become adoptable, including testing, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and a microchip. Fowler says it’s a “great gift for someone who is hard to buy for or has everything already.”

Author and Ashland resident Midge Raymond is co-founder of the boutique publisher Ashland Creek Press. She is also a member of Friends of the Animals.