What was once a few busy months each year has become a year-round challenge

The phrase “kitten season” may sound like something from a children’s storybook, but for animal rescuers it means one thing — an overwhelming number of kittens in need of help.

What was once a few busy months each year has become a year-round challenge. Warmer winters have extended kitten season, resulting in an unprecedented number of kittens being born. Animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout the region are overflowing and are often forced to turn away requests for help simply because there is no room or funding to care for every cat.

Furry Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill cat rescue based in Vancouver, is feeling the impact. The organization currently has approximately 180 kittens and 75 adult cats in its care. Furry Friends’ resources are stretched to the limit, and volunteers urgently need adopters to make room for more cats and kittens that are waiting for a safe place to go.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a feline companion to your family, now is the perfect time.

Adoption fees

• Kittens: $200 for one or $360 for two
• Adult cats (over one year old): $100

Every adopted cat creates space for another cat in need.

Not ready to adopt?

You can still make a tremendous difference.

The average cost to Furry Friends of caring for a cat or kitten ranges from $300 to $500, and that amount can increase significantly if extensive medical treatment is needed. Financial contributions and donations of supplies help continue rescuing homeless cats throughout the community.

A complete list of the most-needed items and donation drop-off locations can be found on the Furry Friends website.

Meet the cats and kittens

There are several ways to meet your new best friend:

• Browse adoptable cats and kittens on the Furry Friends website www.furryfriendswa.org
• Visit adoption events every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 130 SE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA.
• Meet a selection of cats at Milky & Coco’s Kit-Tea Café, 5000 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite E101-103, Vancouver, WA.

About Furry Friends

Founded in 1999, Furry Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill cat rescue serving Clark County, Washington, and surrounding communities. Their mission is to rescue the abandoned, the abused, and the forgotten. They specialize in cat hoarding situations, strays, neonates, and medical cases while providing clean living conditions, comprehensive medical care, and an enriching environment filled with love and compassion until each cat finds a permanent home through adoption.

Each year, Furry Friends provides shelter, food, litter, veterinary care, medications, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services for up to 1,200 cats and kittens. They rely heavily on the dedication of volunteers, allowing them to keep overhead costs low so that most of every donated dollar goes directly toward the care, treatment, and well-being of the cats they serve.

Many of the cats that come to Furry Friends have been abandoned, surrendered because their owners can no longer care for them, or rescued as strays. During kitten season, mother cats and their litters are frequently discovered in backyards and brought to rescue.

Our Halfway House can accommodate approximately 40 cats, while an incredible network of dedicated foster volunteers cares for as many as 250 additional cats and kittens in their homes.

How Furry Friends is funded

Furry Friends receives no funding from city, county, or state government agencies. They rely entirely on private donations, grants, business sponsorships, and fundraising events to support an annual operating budget of approximately $542,000.

Furry Friends’ largest fundraiser each year is our annual Dinner & Auction. This fall, they will celebrate our 27th year of saving cats with their western-themed “Butch Catsidy & the Sundance Kit” Dinner & Auction, held at the beautiful Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver.

For more information about adopting, donating, volunteering, or attending one of their events, visit www.furryfriendswa.org, call (360) 993-1097, or email information@furryfriendswa.org.