Cuddling an adoptable kitten at the 2016 Kitty Hall
Kitty Hall returns on August 21 in Seattle City Hall to promote the Seattle Animal Shelter cat fostering programs and cat adoptions.
“It’s a celebration of felines, the Seattle Animal Shelter, SAS foster programs and our wonderful, supportive Seattle community,” said Interim Volunteer Supervisor Laura Mundy.
Although previous Kitty Hall attendees proved they will wait in long lines to play with kittens, SAS will reduce this year’s wait times by providing two to three tents, instead of just one. SAS will fill tents in the Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall with kittens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and some will be available for adoption, according to Mundy.
SAS volunteers will be on hand with information on fostering programs, on-site adoptions, pet licenses for cats or dogs, a kitty photo booth and donation opportunities. All donations will go to the shelter’s Help the Animals Fund, said Mundy.
As an SAS cat foster parent, Lauren Foster said to come excited and bring your kids.
“Your cheeks are going to hurt from smiling so much,” said Foster.
A job worthy of her namesake, Foster got involved with SAS through the cat program by fostering two cats – Teddy and Madge. She said the SAS team supported her through her experience by providing vet needs and advice on cat care.
Since cats are social creatures, they feel more comfortable in a foster home while they wait for adoption. SAS suggests that cats suffering from “shelter stress,” senior cats, injured cats or those recovering from surgery should be in foster care.
The goodbyes were rough, but the time Foster had with the cats made it worth it.
“I look at it as a summer fling, […] you let yourself fall in love even though you know it’s going to end,” said Foster.
Foster allowed herself two months to find the cats a new home and marketed the cats on social media with cute costumes and character biographies.
“Some people think that if you just hit the key notes, like if the cat is female, then they will get adopted, but you have to dig deeper,” said Foster.
The right person can create a loving, temporary home for a cat in need of adoption, according to Foster.
At Kitty Hall, the Cat Foster Team will have more information on fostering and how to visit a cat in foster care for adoption. Visit the Kitty Hall webpage for more information about the event and the SAS volunteer webpage for more information about volunteer opportunities.
Story by Erin Berge, SAS volunteer