A place for cats

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on North Okaloosa County nonprofits that improve our quality of life.

CRESTVIEW—My Safe Place Pet Rescue is opening a cat adoption center after months of renovations to a facility on its property.

The rescue already operates spaces for dogs and cats but the addition of a cat center allows the felines to socialize with each other and potential adoptees.

The center also allows for more space and dedicated care areas. These care areas include a quarantine space, for newcomers who have not been fully vaccinated or tested for disease, and a newborn wing for mothers and their kittens.

“What I see a lot is people will come in for one cat and go home with another,” Cindy Hunter, MSPPR’s owner and founder, said. “Cats have such different personalities and they are drawn to certain people. So, this gives people a chance to visit with different cats, not just the one they think they’ll adopt.”

The facility, known as The Kelly Curtiss Memorial Cat Care and Adoption Center, was made possible after MSPPR received a $25,000 grant. Curtiss was a friend of Hunter’s who died from cancer at 30 years old. Curtiss’ mother donated the funds after her daughter’s death.

“I didn’t have to think about what to do with it for even two minutes,” Hunter said. She had the idea of a cat care center for quite some time but lacked funds to make the vision a reality. MSPPR is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations to operate.

Currently, the cat center and MSPPR rely on the help of about eight volunteers, according to Hunter. These individuals ensure food and water bowls are full, litter boxes are clean, and animal residents have a chance to socialize.

Some volunteers bring their children to spend time with the cats, Hunter added. This allows the felines to become more comfortable with human interaction.

Most of the cats at MSPPR come from kill shelters, including the Laurel Hill branch of Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, Hunter said. They are also found on free web pages, such as Facebook.

All animals rescued from MSPPR include basic vaccinations and are spayed or neutered. Those that are too young to be fixed are required by adoption agreements to have the procedure done by proper age. Out of the hundreds of adoptions, MSPPR has facilitated only two agreement breaches have occurred, Hunter said.

The rescue requires the procedure to prevent uncontrolled spread of pet populations, according to Hunter.

MSPPR’s location isn’t public information. Hunter is concerned that publicly listing the center and rescue’s address will encourage random animal drop-offs. The facility lacks the resources to help every animal that could come from that situation, according to Hunter.

Potential adopters make appointments with the rescue to meet the animals and visit the facility.

In addition to finding forever homes for the animals, MSPPR seeks foster homes, volunteers and donations in the form of monetary, food or scoopable litter.

The rescue spends about $1,200 per month on food, flea and heartworm medications and vet visits, according to Hunter. She has explored grant opportunities but hasn’t applied for any.

The rescue works with about 17 foster homes but just five of them accept cats, Hunter said. This low number adds to the benefit of opening the cat center, which can hold up to 20 felines, although around 15 would be ideal, Hunter added. 

The “grand opening” event for the cat care center will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. The event will be an open house for people to see what the rescue is and what they do.

An adoption event will also be held, with the hopes of finding permanent homes for some of the animal residents.

Contact MSPPR at 306-1718 for more information about the open house, adopting, volunteering or donating.

WHAT: Grand opening for My Safe Place Pet Rescue’s cat care center

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 4

WHERE: Undisclosed location. Call 306-1718 for details. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A place for cats