Happy One-Year Anniversary to Purrin' at Pantops

PURRIN' ONE YEAR AND STILL COUNTING

On Tues., Aug. 8, 2006 we are celebrating our one-year anniversary at Purrin' at Pantops. Please see Blog Entry dated 08/08/05.

It was one year ago on, August 8, 2005, when a small group of volunteers got together and opened the original Purrin' at Pantops at Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center near Giant. This was only supposed to be for one month to move some of the cats out of the "Over-flow" rooms at the shelter during Kitten Season.

"Purrin" went on "Purrin" for an extra month following August; and, more and more cats were being adopted, so we still kept "Purrin".

Jan, who was aided by Margaret, wanted a way to draw attention to the adult cats at the shelter that were not getting any attention because it was Kitten Season, and all the visiters at the shelter were looking at the kittens.

Ten cats from the CASPCA were brought over, and Ellen brought in her foster kittens each day. The adoption response towards these, previously ignored, adult cats was overwhelmingly positive.

I think everyone was extremely surprised. Visitors were impressed by the cat hammocks and how open and clean everything was. Giant Supermarket management was happy to have all the extra business generated by visitors who wanted to adopt cats.

More people began to sign up as volunteers, and Margaret managed Purrin' while Jan went to head the CASPCA Rummage Sale.

I'll never forget how scared I was to do my first adoption when 2 young ladies came in to adopt 2 of Ellen's kittens. However, Margaret talked me through it over the telephone and everything went very smoothly.

Thanks to Jan and all the volunteers over 400 cats have been adopted or saved. This is a great way to help the cats, the shelter, and the community, and I feel everyone is better off because of Purrin' at Pantops.

Thanks Jan.
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These were the original Purrin' cats:

Blackjack

Apollo

Rocky

Stallone

Sophie (First cat to be adopted)

Serenity

Jade

Precious

Belinda

Mousi

How could anyone forget the little Silver Tabby Princess with her eye-catching "Princess Bed".