News and Tribune

Homepage

Related Photos

  • New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter on Saturday. The shelter hosted an open house to showcase the new cat room that lets potential adopters meet the cats in an open space. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

    08-22 cat room 1 wb.jpg

  • A cat hangs out in one of the many levels in Cat Central Station at the New Albany/Floyd County Animal Shelter. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

    08-22 cat room 2 wb.jpg

  • A visitor pets a cat as it makes it way down one of the many ramps and scratch areas. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

    08-22 cat room 3 wb.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
August 21, 2010

Cat central: New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter unveils new room for adult cats

By TARA HETTINGER Tara.Hettinger@newsandtribune.com

FLOYD COUNTY — In a room filled with a maze of ramps, rafters, beds, scratch posts and even a large hammock, adult cats at the New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter roamed and frolicked as passers-by took a look in.

The room, dubbed Cat Central Station, was formally unveiled Saturday with a party featuring food, drinks and face painting for anyone wanting to stop by.

Theresa Stilger, animal care coordinator, said that room and changes at the Green Tree Mall location cost $13,000. She said donors were instrumental in getting the project done.

“Being in the shelter is a pretty stressful place for cats and most people come in wanting kittens,” Stilger said as she stood in the room with cats coming up, vying for her attention. “We wanted a place where people can interact with the cats.”

She said she can already tell a difference in the cats.

“They’re like different beings in here. When their stress level goes down it allows their personality to come out,” she said.

The room is placed just before a hallway filled with kittens in cages. She said the placement will allow people to check out the adult cats first.

“This has always been a room people would tend to walk on by, because they wanted to see the kittens,” Stilger said. “Our goal was to make [the cats] more comfortable and secondly to draw more people in.”

Many did stop by to see the new addition.

“I think this is fantastic. I bet the cats love it,” said Kathryn Stout, who brought her God children with her.

“I think it’s a lot nicer than it was. There wasn’t much in there for them before and now they have a lot to play with,” said 13-year-old Baylee Kircher, who volunteers at the shelter. “I hope it gives them a better place to play and socialize with one another.”

“I think it’s really fun for the cats, because it’s a place to play and slide and stuff,” said 6-year-old Ahna Cobb as she played with two cats. “I think the kitties are very friendly and I like them a  lot. They are very nice and cuddly.”

The celebration at the shelter started at 11 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. Adoption fees for adult cats have been reduced to $10 as part of the shelter’s Summer of Love Cat Sale. That fee includes spay/neuter, initial vaccinations, microchip and a negative Felv/FIV test. Cats at the mall location are available for a $20 adoption fee. However, that location is having a Deal or Steal event, where people adopting a pet will have a chance to draw for the amount their adoption fee will be discounted. Those who draw a seal card will have the adoption fee waived.

For more information on the shelter, go to www.nafcanimalshelter.org or call 812-948-5355.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
05-14 Prosser1.w.jpg

Ryan Stonecipher, a junior from Corydon Central High School, makes a jack screw on a metal lathe at the Prosser Career Education Center. The school has changed its name from the Prosser School of Technology to better reflect its mission.

LATEST NEWS POSTS

SOUTHERN INDIANA SPORTS

LOCAL OPINIONS

LOCAL FEATURES