by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know we have some exciting news to share? Orange County’s very first Tails Up Cat Café & Creative Lounge will be hosting their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, August 7th at 3 pm and all are invited! Why is this exciting to us? Because a dozen of our shelter cats will be there too!
This new business is the brainchild of one of our TNR volunteers who wanted to do more for our homeless cats and more for the community. Brenda secured the location on the corner of WIndemere Avenue and Jersey Avenue in Greenwood Lake and along with a few hardworking friends repaired, painted, constructed and decorated this amazing bright and spacious space for the comforts of the cats, the artists and the public in mind. The Creative Lounge displays the various artwork of local artisans and holds events like “Art from the Heart” and “Paint & Purr” with more special events to come. Cat themed teas, cold and hot, along with yummy treats will be available and there is a small specialty store inside.
But most importantly, twelve of our shelter cats will be making this their new place to seek adoption. It was not an easy task choosing which cats, among the hundred adults waiting months to years for a home, were to be offered this opportunity. Most cats need an adjustment period so we transported the “chosen 12” a week before the grand opening hoping they would feel comfortable in their new surroundings by then. One of the 12 is Tony the Tiger who literally put himself into the carrier as if he knew he was going. The others were not so accommodating. Upon arrival, we set up their litterboxes, food and water and one by one opened their carrier doors. Needless to say, Tony walked out as if he owned the place. Cool and confident, he checked the place out, found a spot on the couch and rolled over for a belly rub. Pierogi, who has been in and out of the shelter for the past 9 years, at no fault of hers, was more cautious, but her curiosity got the better of her. Tina, Kya, Daphne and Magnolia may take a few extra days to feel at ease with so much room, but Gilbert, Tripp and Troy, Blackberry, Sully and are finding their way, Gaia has already found her perch where she can one-eyed look you in the eyes.
The Tails Up Cat Café will have visiting times and rest assured the cats will be cared during off hours. It is our hope that this new venue will give these cats a better chance for adoption than they have had in the shelter among all the kittens and other adult cats. Of course, applications will be available at the front desk which can be used for any of our shelter cats.
We are looking forward to a long lasting relationship with the Tails Up Cat Café and Creative Lounge as a shelter outreach benefitting our homeless feline population.
Pet of the Week:
Cat adoption application are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
