The Cat Adoption Center in Southbury will hold a grand opening Saturday, May 14. (Marjorie Needham photo)
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
Caroline Abate of Rose Hope Rescue Inc. has found a home in Southbury for a cat adoption center that will be open seven days a week for those wishing to adopt a cat or kitten. Housed in a building in Bennett Square at 134 Main St. S. in Southbury, the center has room for a number of cats and also has a play room where cats can exercise and potential adopters can spend some time getting to know them.
The center’s grand opening Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will offer a bake sale, a ribbon cutting at noon, tours of the center, and the opportunity to see the adoptable cats and kittens that are in the program. Area merchants also will be there.
One merchant is Pet Aesthetics, which is a few doors away. Owner Sue Begasse said, “I’m excited we’ll actually have something for cats. Everything in town has been for dogs.” She invites those attending the grand opening to mosey over.
Pet Aesthetics is one of the few groomers that will groom cats, offering everything from a full bath, brush out, ear cleaning and claw trim to items off an a la carte menu. Begasse said those who adopt from Rose Hope Rescue can stop by for a free bag of food and a coupon for grooming. For the grand opening, she plans to offer sample packs and coupons.
Another local merchant supporting the new adoption center is Pet Valu Pet Store at 100 Main St. N. in Southbury Plaza. Manager Jessica Martin said the store will have a tent at the grand opening. She said of the center, “It’s very exciting. It’s pretty unique. Not many rescues have the opportunity to have a storefront. I think it will be very good for Southbury.” She said one way her store will help is by having cats from the center rotate through cages in her store so customers can see the cats available for adoption.
“I’ve also provided her (Abate) with adoption kits that have coupons for the store and break down for new owners what supplies they need to pick up for their new cat.”
She said the store just donated 77 bags of cat litter to the center and is about to donate 77 more. She said she likes to do what she can to help. “It’s important to be part of the community,” she said.
On May 14, those who go to the grand opening and see a cat or kitten they would like to adopt can fill out an application, and their applications will be processed as soon as possible. Vet references are required for all applicants.
The interior of the new Cat Adoption Center features cages along one wall and a play room at the far end of the building. (Marjorie Needham photo)
Abate has been working since late last year to make the center a reality. She applied for help from Home Depot and her project was chosen as a Team Depot project. Home Depot employee James Cornish of Terryville, who we spoke to while the team was there renovating the interior, said of Abate, “I’ve never had a partner as good as this.” He said Team Depot is there to do something for the community, and much of its work goes to help veterans.
“Home Depot has been a major contributor,” Abate said. “They provided all the materials and all the labor.” She said funding for renovations was raised separately from donations for the rescue’s work with cats. “I want to be clear that none of the money donated for cat rescue was used for the facility,” she said.
Abate said volunteers who want to help with the center are welcome to call her at 203-525-4449. She is looking for greeters, cage cleaners, and people to help with chores such as socializing the cats. Foster homes for cats and kittens also are needed.
After the grand opening, the center will be open seven days a week from 12 to 4 p.m. To reach the center, call 203-586-1666. The website is rosehoperescue.org.
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