ERIC SUCAR staff John Stellingwerf, 4, of Old Bridge, and Denise Walsh, of Sayreville, look on as Barbara Keegan, director of the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center, holds a cat named Sterling during the center’s “Kitten Shower” Saturday. SAYREVILLE – The Sayreville Pet Adoption Center held a “Kitten Shower” on Saturday to showcase the many cats and kittens available for adoption.
“It was very much like a baby shower, except the gifts were for the kittens and cats,” said Barbara Keegan, director of the nonprofit operation.
The no-kill shelter currently has 173 cats, including 43 kittens, and 17 dogs.
“It was to create awareness of the shelter and to get some donations for the shelter, and to showcase the kittens available,” Keegan said.
Four kittens, two adult cats and one dog were adopted at the event.
“We try to have one special event every month,” said Keegan.
Keegan said that for the month of July, they received 54 cats and 10 dogs to be adopted out. People adopt an average of two or three animals a day.
ERIC SUCAR staff A cat at the shelter does not let his audience stop him from enjoying some relaxation. There are several reasons why shelters like the one in Sayreville receive many more cats than dogs.
“People keep feeding outdoor cats, and they keep reproducing,” said Keegan, noting that cats are not spayed and neutered as often as dogs in the area. Dogs are also more likely to be adopted, she said.
The shelter offers a foster care program, where people can volunteer to raise a litter of kittens until they are old enough to be adopted.
It also welcomes donations of pet food and supplies. For more information, contact the shelter at 732-727-3895. The facility is located at 1400 Main St., next to the Sayreville Police Department.