CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Dozens of cat lovers were in kitty heaven Sunday afternoon as they filled Old Glory Distilling Company looking for a “fur-ever” friend at the Kitten Shower and Gift Registry hosted by the Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County.
The event started with 98 cats ready for adoption, and it didn’t take long for the cages to start emptying as 92 cats and kittens found new homes. Even though you couldn’t tell it with everyone wearing a mask, there had to be a lot of smiles on their faces as people left the event carrying their favorite choice of a feline.
Along with the Humane Society, other area pet rescue nonprofits participated in the event. They included Puurrfect Paws Rescue, Ron & Wendy’s Kitty Cat Adventures, Cats Are Us, APSU Paws to Care and Companion Pet Rescue of Middle Tennessee.
Aaron Clendening came all the way from Nashville to find a cat for his family. “About six weeks ago we had to put our cat that we had for 16 years down, so it was time to get another pet. They are loveable and unique. I used to work a 16-hour shift and I would come home and my cat would pounce on my back. We just love kittens,” said Clendening.
Adoption fees included spa-neuter, vaccines, dewormer, FIV/FeLV test and flea prevention. Collection points were also set up so attendees could make financial donations or donate cat food, litter and other pet supplies for the rescue organizations.
On the subject of health, for those people attending the event, temperatures were taken at the door, masks were required, Old Glory hand sanitizer was available, and families were also asked to practice social distancing. To reduce congestion, everyone was also asked to limit attendance to the adoption areas for those who were serious about adopting.
Executive Director of the Humane Society of Clarksville-Montgomery County Amy Shaver said the event was needed after the Humane Society and many other agencies were shut down for 10 weeks because of COVID-19.
“These rescue groups that are represented here today took in about 300 kittens off the streets. All of these kittens are in foster homes and they need homes so this was kind of our way of giving back and apologizing for having to shut down. It was our way of trying to help everybody get as many of these kittens adopted as possible,” Shaver said.
For more on pet adoption and care visit clarksvillehumanesociety.org, email humanesociety@clarksville.com or call 931-648-8042.