By Janet McAfee
Coachella Valley animal lovers, particularly those who cherish our fabulous felines, won’t want to miss the largest fundraiser of the year for Kittyland on Sunday, February 7, 2016. Actress and comedian JoAnn Worley will be the featured guest star at this Lunch and Tennis Fundraiser at the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage. An ardent animal lover and president of “Actors and Others for Animals,” Worley is best remembered for her starring role on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In. Local television personality Alexandra Pierce, reporter for KESQ Channel 3, will be Master of Ceremonies.
Cost to attend this fun-filled event is only $65. The cost is the same for those playing tennis and for those just attending the luncheon. Space for tennis players is limited to the first 32 people who sign up. Tennis sign ups begin at 10:00 am with matches starting at 10:30 am. The luncheon and other festivities begin at 12:30 pm. A silent auction, exciting raffle prizes, and entertainment from Joanne Worley highlight the afternoon while attendees enjoy a delicious lunch.
Kittyland is the only Coachella Valley private shelter and sanctuary open to the public exclusively for homeless cats and kittens. Located on 2.5 acres in Desert Hot Springs, this volunteer based nonprofit organization rescues, socializes, and provides medical care for homeless cats, lovingly preparing them for adoptive homes. Adoption hours are 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Tuesday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday. Come by and meet the “cool cats” at Kittyland, located at 67-600 18th Ave in Desert Hot Springs.
Upon arrival at Kittyland, every cat is given appropriate medical care and treatment. Each is spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Mother cats with underage kittens are placed in foster homes where they receive extra care and socialization. Kittyland also helps senior and disabled cats, some of whom are available for adoption, while others live their lives out at the sanctuary.
Kittyland had a remarkable year, placing 132 cats and kittens in loving homes. Many of those adoptions happened at Petsmart and Petco in Palm Springs. How do cats in need find their way to Kittyland? Some are found roaming the desert, a dangerous place for tiny felines. Some become homeless when their owners die or enter assisted living centers. Sometimes people move to a property where the landlord does not allow pets. Tragically, some animals are tossed out of cars or thrown in dumpsters.
Founder and president Ann Woods hopes to raise funds needed to refurbishment 2 of the buildings on Kittyland’s property, allowing them to rescue and house more animals. Woods states, “These magical, independent creatures have always been close to my heart. We want Kittyland to become a haven of comfort and joy for Coachella Valley cats that are abandoned and/or injured.” Private no-kill rescue groups like Kittyland offer a life-saving alternative considering that approximately 72% of the cats entering California public shelters are euthanized.
You can order your tickets by calling Kittyland directly at (760) 251-2700 or order online at www.kittylandrescue.org. Their mailing address is 1717 E. Vista Chino A-7-499, Palm Springs, CA 92241 if you would like to mail in a year end donation. Join in the festivities on February 7th, support this wonderful organization, and help create another year of fun feline memories!
Jmcafee7@verizon.net
