Fur Fest Raises Funds for Kitty City Sanctuary

The Kitty City Fur Fest fundraiser took place on August 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and featured a variety of activities, including a photo booth, face painting, games, a basket raffle, and a bake sale. Kitty City also hosted live entertainment by Kris Kitko and Sonda Sauers.

Kitty City is a non-profit organization that provides a safe haven for disabled and FIV+ cats. Sick or injured cats are taken in and treated, then placed in the sanctuary. Sanctuary cats are not up for adoption, but other cats can be adopted after filling out an adoption application.

The weather may have been windy at the Kitty City Fur Fest, but the event went on with a high attendance in the morning before slowing down in the afternoon.

Alison Smith is the Director of Kitty City. She organizes the event on her own without a committee. Smith starts event planning in April and continues to organize until setting up the event the night before it starts.

She explained that the Kitty City Fur Fest started 15 years ago, and it used to be called “Fall Fest.” Due to the Apple Fest and Pumpkin Patch, there was a lot of competition, which meant that Smith moved the event to early August.

“It used to be annual,” Smith said. “Then we got too busy to do it, so we [have] been trying to start it up again. But it’s weather dependent, so it’s hit and miss.”

Smith believes it is important for the community to support events like these, as it keeps these programs going and serves the area. She hopes to bring awareness to Kitty City and provide support for their vet bills. 

“We’ve taken in a record number of cats this year … we’re trying to make people aware of what’s going on out here and what we do and raise some money,” she said.

Despite the weather’s influence on the event, Smith kept a positive outlook. With the help of sponsorships from local businesses, the Kitty City Fur Fest saw a successful turnout.

“We had a great day and did so much better than we thought we would due to the uncooperative weather,” Smith said. “Our volunteers were so wonderful and worked in the rain until the end to get everything buttoned down at closing. We have a wonderful team.”

All proceeds from the event went on to benefit Kitty City and their programs.