SCRANTON, Pa. — An animal rescue in Scranton is hosting its annual kitten shower this weekend.
"So kittens are very expensive and come in large numbers," said Katrina Organ, St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo.
But these babies are so cute, rescue workers at St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo in Scranton are throwing them a shower this weekend, a kitten shower.
"As a volunteer non-profit who relies on community support and grants, we would not be able to take in the amount of kittens that we take in. We would probably be able to afford about half of what we are able to take in. But we know, and we rely on, and we have faith in the community that they'll support us," said Organ.
This is the fifth year for the kitten shower. Volunteers thought it was a good way to collect donations while getting people in the building to meet the cats available for adoption. Just like a real baby shower, rescue workers created a registry, a list of all of the supplies they need most right now.
"Every year, the first year we started, we said 'if we can fill one playpen that would be great' and every year we go way above and beyond. We end up filling two playpens and then some. Actually, our paper towel donation from last year, we just ran out in about April. So really are always overwhelmed by the generosity by the community and we're hoping for the same this year," Organ said.
Volunteers say they spend about $280 per kitten. That's just for food, vaccines and spaying and neutering, not factoring in utilities and keeping up with the building.
St. Cats has rescued nearly 80 cats so far this year. There are about 65 available for adoption right now. You won't be able to take one home this weekend at the kitten shower, but you will be able to submit your application.
"Ranging kittens from 3 months old that aren't fixed yet that will require a deposit and you'll have to wait a couple weeks for them to go home to kittens like Willie who are already fixed and ready to find their forever home. We also still have a bunch of older cats so even though it is a kitten shower we encourage you to look at all our adoptables no matter the age," Organ said.
The kitten shower is at St. Cats and Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo in Scranton on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.