On Wednesday, June 13, the SPCA of Tompkins County began 'Weekly Wednesday Kitten Karnival' at the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center. Kitten Karnival continues Wednesdays through the end of the summer.

This year the Maguire Automotive Group and Subaru representatives join SPCA staff and volunteers to celebrate the start of Kitten Season by presenting its Subaru 'Share the Love' check for $11,300 to the SPCA, the preferred charity of Subaru customers.

Each year May through November marks 'Kitten Season' for animal shelter staff when more than 600 kittens come through the doors of the SPCA's rescue building. Before finding their forever homes, kittens-those not old enough yet to stay in the Pet Adoption Center-live with the shelter's dedicated foster families until they have been fully vaccinated and are old enough to be spayed or neutered. Then they return to the shelter for adoption.

Joining the kick-off of Kitten Season this year are representatives from the Maguire Automotive group and Subaru, who sponsor the annual 'Share the Love' event. Customers who bought a Subaru were asked to select one charity from a list of charities they would like money to go to. This year the SPCA of Tompkins County emerged as the favorite. Consequently, the shelter will receive a donation of $11,300-some of which will go to buying kitten food.

The public is invited to join the Kitten Season's kick-off with Maguire and Subaru representatives presenting their donation check and having the latest Subaru models available to check out in the parking lot. Inside the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center will be kittens ready for adoption, SPCA staff and cat-savvy volunteers.

Adoptions Manager Doug Scott said, "This is a way to give the public a good deal while helping the shelter at the same time. Because there will be so many kittens throughout the season, moving them fast is essential. It's a win-win: very low adoption rate and helping the shelter at the same time."

Normally the SPCA's Pet Adoption Center on Hanshaw Road is not open on Wednesdays. However, this year it will be open every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. and will be devoted exclusively to adoption of kittens. Kittens will be waiting for their 'fur-ever' homes in the front lobby.

v14i23