It’s kitten season in the Florida Keys, where cats breed like rabbits, especially in the springtime. By early summer, there’s no shortage of tiny faces, wide eyes and huge personalities looking for good homes.
In order to find those homes and introduce some of the tiny furballs to the community, the Florida Keys SPCA will hold its first-ever Kitten Extravaganza June 21-27.
The week will include a series of fundraising events, including three special “meet-and-greet” opportunities, where literal baskets of kittens will be on hand to show off their unquestionable cuteness and find a “furever” home. The events will raise money to help the shelter provide formula, kitten food, medical care, spay/neuter surgeries, toys, blankets and everything else the little guys need.
“When a feral cat has kittens that come to us right away, the kittens are easily socialized to be loving, adoptable pets. They won’t be feral just because mom was,” said Tiffany Dunsmore, development director for the Florida Keys SPCA.
“At the upcoming Kitten Extravaganza events, the kittens we bring will be available for adoption,” Dunsmore said. “We’ll have adoption questionnaires on hand, and once people fall in love, we’ll take their picture with it and set up a time for them to come to the shelter to meet with an adoption counselor. If the kitten has already been spayed or neutered, they can go home with them. Otherwise, the family can foster the kitten at their house and then bring it back in to be spayed or neutered.”
“We’re so excited to launch our first Kitten Extravaganza, which is really our first true fundraiser event since COVD canceled everything,” she said. “This community is always so supportive of our efforts and these animals, and we can’t wait to find homes for the 80 to 100 kittens in our Key West and Marathon shelters. I don’t think people realize just how many kittens come through here this time of year.”
KITTEN EXTRAVAGANZA SCHEDULE
Mitten Crush Monday, 6 to 8 p.m. on June 21 at Virgilio’s, 524 Duval St. Sip martinis and meet some kitties.
Taco Cat Tuesday, 3 to 6 p.m. at Mellow Ventures,1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Ten percent of all taco sales all day will be donated to the Florida Keys SPCA.
Meowy Happy Hour Wednesday, 3 to 5 p.m. at SideBar, 504 Angela St. Cuddle with kittens over cocktails. Enjoy half-price beer, wine, wells and select call drinks during this adorable happy hour.
Charity Vibrator Races Thursday 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mary Ellen’s, 420 Appelrouth Lane, benefit the SPCA’s Kitten Extravaganza. But this event is no place for the little ones, so no kittens will be present.
Whiskey for Whiskers Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. at General Horseplay, 423 Caroline St. Drink specials all night will benefit the SPCA.
Kitten Yoga Saturday, 10 to 11 a.m. at FYT, 5450 MacDonald Ave., Stock Island. Work on your downward dog or cat stretches while kittens run around the room, or snuggle in your lap. Reservations are required. Call 305-453-6176 to reserve a space.
Trivia for Tails Sunday, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Retro Room, 126 Simonton St. While trivia is always free, the extra buy-ins will be donated directly to the animals.
