Mary Johnson Photo
When the Branford Compassion Club opened its Adoption and Rescue Center a year ago it was the culmination of 14 years of hard work by dozens of volunteers who care for the area’s homeless cats.
The facility on Foxon Road in North Branford was filled with well-wishers last month. They wandered in and out of the rooms visiting with the kitties, who were all on their best behavior, of course.
Mary Johnson Photo
The centerpiece of the main cat room is a network of new vertical shelves and cubicles. Manufactured and designed by a Chicago-based company called The Vertical Cat, the system allows the cats to move around the room without walking on the floor. Cats, especially those in a multiple-cat environment, thoroughly enjoy such a set-up since it greatly expands their territory and reduces stress. BCC’s cats are no exception.
BCC President Mary Mellows said that putting up the system was a big job, but judging by the activity, the cats were immediately pleased with the effort. She said about homeless 45 cats are now in residence at the shelter.
Funds donated in memory of BCC volunteer Vicki Beermuender were targeted for the shelving. Kathie Huddleston of The Vertical Cat, a shelter volunteer herself, said they work with as many shelters as they can manage, time and resources permitting.
Volunteers from The Branford Compassion Club also maintain 12 to 14 feral colonies around town. The cats living in the colonies are trapped, vetted, spayed and neutered before being released back to their familiar surroundings. Sociable cats and kittens are raised in foster care or at BCC’s adoption center and adopted into loving homes.
Mary Johnson Photo
So how is all this work financed? According to founder Eunice Lasala, (pictured) it comes from a variety of sources. She explained that fundraisers are held just about every month, including the Bella Notte Pawsta Dinner that was held March 10 at St. Therese’s Church, which also hosts BCC’s annual Holiday Breakfast in December. On the second Monday of each month, Born in America Restaurant offers 25 percent of its proceeds to the club.
Grants are occasionally obtained, but Lasala said they are “hard to get.”
Lasala’s volunteer efforts within the community are legendary, but the Branford Compassion Club is clearly at the top of her list. She even turned down the presidency of the state Garden Club. “I knew where I had to be.” Lasala is one of the dozen or so volunteers who feeds and maintains the feral colonies.
In terms of BCC’s expenses, Lasala said they are increasing. The rent at the facility recently increased (though it’s still below what a normal retail rent would go for) and the oil tank was replaced. They get assistance with spay and neuter expenses through SAFE (Save Animals From Elimination), which is run by BCC member Marilyn Kennedy. Spay and neuter vouchers are also available through TEAM (Tait’s Every Animal Matter), a non-profit mobile spay and neuter clinic. And a network of local veterinarians works with BCC to provide medical care.
Mary Johnson Photo
In addition there are lots of donations, both of food and funds. Merchandise with the BCC logo and a cookbook are for sale, along with a series of calendars produced by the Eagle’s photographer Mary Johnson. There’s also income from adoption fees, $150 for kittens and $125 for adults, but that is offset by the veterinary expenses – spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and other medical care as needed.
So while guests munched on a delicious spread (visited by Mama Grey, who was quickly shooed off) and played with the cats and kittens, members were thinking ahead to the 15th anniversary charity gala, which will be held at the Blackstone Library on Sunday, May 20. At this stage of planning, sponsors and silent auction items are needed. For more information, email [email protected].
Mary Johnson Photo
BCC’s Adoption and Rescue Center is open to the public every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers are welcomed and donations of supplies and food are always needed. There’s a “wish list” on the organization’s website. Cats available for adoption can be seen on Petfinder.com and Facebook.
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