Mid West Cat Shelter celebrates 10th anniversary with $45k State Government grant for animal welfare group

A not-for-profit animal adoption group is celebrating 10 years of providing loving homes to abandoned or stray cats and kittens, while also receiving more than $40,000 in State Government grants. Mid West Cat Shelter has been recognised for its role in supporting the welfare of cats and kittens through the State Government Animal Welfare Grant Program. It has received $45,837 for the purchase and fit-out of emergency cat suites for animals awaiting fostering or rehoming. Mid West Cat Shelter Inc chairperson Casey Fiorenza said the shelter had taken in more than 3000 cats since it was established in October 2013, with the help of volunteers and foster carers. “I am incredibly proud of how far we have come and what we have built over the 10 years, and cannot wait for the next 10,” she said. The foster animals receive vet work from Sanford Veterinary Clinic before they are adopted and come sterilised, microchipped, and vaccinated, as well as receiving any medical attention they require before adoption. Ms Fiorenza said the not-for-profit organisation hoped to establish an adoption facility where people could visit the cats and find their new furry family member. “This would also allow us to take on volunteers at the facility who want to help but may not be able to foster,” she said. Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said the shelter did a tremendous job of nurturing and rehoming cats and kittens in the Mid West. “I am pleased to see support flow through to one of the Mid West’s strongest voluntary animal welfare groups and encourage our community to get in touch if they can foster or adopt an adult cat or one of the many kittens,” she said.