Animal lovers can donate items to support Randall’s Rescue, a no-kill, non-profit animal rescue based in Mt. Laurel.
Instead of thinking about rain showers this April, one local animal rescue is hoping folks in the area will think about a “kitten shower” instead.
Mt. Laurel-based Randall’s Rescue will host its second annual “Kitten Shower & Fundraiser” at Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar in the Moorestown Mall on April 29 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Similar to a baby shower, the Kitten Shower encourages animal lovers to donate items from a gift registry to support Randall’s Rescue as it continues to operate as a no-kill, nonprofit animal rescue for strays, feral and unwanted pet cats and dogs in the area.
The group began in 2011 with the efforts of Cindy Randall, who started fostering unwanted animals after learning about overpopulation issues and the attached health risks when she worked in a veterinary office.
Through a network of dedicated volunteer fosters, Randall’s Rescue can house upward of 100 animals at a given time, resulting in a constant need for supplies and willing volunteers.
Randall said that need increases during “Kitten Season” — the time from early spring through early fall when cats typically give birth and flood shelters and rescues with unwanted kittens.
According to the rescue, one female cat can give birth to two or more litters of kittens in a season, which results in kittens being euthanized because of overcrowding in shelters and rescues.
“All of our rescues reside in foster homes, so we need more foster volunteers this time of year,” Randall said. “Additionally, many kittens born outside come to us with health troubles, which can be quite expensive on top of the added costs of their regular care. We help as many as we can, with the resources and dedicated fosters that we have available.”
According to the group, the items the rescue needs most this season are wet and dry kitten food, blankets, animal nutritional supplements, animal heating pads and more, along with cash and gift cards.
In addition to serving as a collection event, the Kitten Shower will also offer supporters a fun afternoon for a good cause.
Those who attend the event can win raffle prizes donated by local businesses, interact with adoptable kittens, play kitten-shower games, enjoy cake and learn about fostering from the group’s current fosters.
Those at the event can also purchase food and drinks from Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, with 10 percent of every bill being donated to Randall’s Rescue.
Entry to the event is free, but the rescue asks attendees bring a Kitten Shower gift from the registry as a donation.
“Our first kitten shower, held last year, was a huge success,” Randall said. “It was awesome to see so many people come out to support our work, and help with the supplies and funds we desperately need to get through each kitten season. We also had a chance to meet many new members of our community — who heard about the event online or in the media — and came out to learn more about TNR and fostering. Our goal is always to spread awareness, because ultimately, that’s how we can save the most lives.
The full Kitten Shower registry for Randall’s Rescue is available on Amazon.com at bit.ly/2018registry.
The rescue encourages those interested in attending to RSVP at bit.ly/2018kittenshower.
In addition to supporting the Kitten Shower, Randall also reminds locals to prevent animal overpopulation before it happens by spaying and neutering pets.
“Fewer intact cats roaming the streets means fewer kittens vying for homes and limited space in rescues and shelters this time of year,” Randall said. “Spaying and neutering saves countless lives.”
