Winky Cats, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of cats in Ashtabula County, successfully hosted its Purr-Fect Pairs adoption event at PetSmart in Mentor on February 14, 2024. This special event, aligned with Valentine’s Day, encouraged pet lovers to adopt not just one, but pairs of cats, fostering a spirit of companionship.
The Purr-Fect Pairs event attracted a steady flow of visitors, showcasing nearly 50 cats available for adoption. Attendees who adopted two or more cats received a discount of $25 per cat, along with a complimentary kitty loveseat. Winky Cats Treasurer and Adoption Coordinator, Margie Netzel, emphasized the enjoyment of these themed events, stating, “These theme events we have are a lot of fun.” She noted that the organization draws attendees from various locations, including Warren, Akron, Erie, and Kent.
Among those who made the journey to Mentor were local residents Travis Loescher and Rebecca Sapienza, who traveled approximately an hour from Lorain. Sapienza, who recently lost her cat Gus after a decade together, expressed her hope to find a new companion. “I never wanted a black cat and I never wanted a boy, but I ended up with both and Gus was my love. Now, hopefully we will find our new love,” she shared.
By the end of the first hour of the five-hour event, Winky Cats reported that 11 cats had already been adopted, demonstrating the effectiveness of their outreach efforts. Founded in 2019 under the initial name of Community Cats Coalition, Winky Cats began as a trap-neuter-return program aimed at controlling the feral cat population humanely. The partnership with PetSmart, located at 9122 Mentor Ave, has significantly enhanced their mission to help these animals find loving homes.
Winky Cats also engages in the foster and adoption of friendly cats and kittens rescued from various situations, including overpopulation and hoarding cases. All adoptable cats are listed on the organization’s Facebook page, complete with photos and descriptions, and are available for adoption at PetSmart.
The organization operates a cat care center in Geneva, which serves as a short-term housing facility for cats awaiting adoption. Netzel clarified that the center is not an animal shelter, kennel, or veterinary office but rather a space designed for the care of animals in the adoption program. With an area of 1,700 square feet, the center includes facilities for animal health, intake, and quarantine, as well as a cageless area for socialization.
Looking ahead, Netzel anticipates more themed events, including a “Kitten Corral” in the summer where visitors can interact with kittens in a playful environment. Winky Cats has plans for a larger event from March 27 to March 29 as part of National Adoption Week, which aims to further promote cat adoptions.
According to the organization’s website, Winky Cats has made a significant impact over the past year, assisting 1,259 cats and facilitating 575 adoptions while logging over 9,000 volunteer hours. For more information about Winky Cats and their ongoing efforts, visit their website at winkycats.com.
