WEST AMWELL: New ‘Fabulous Felines’ adoption center open to public

   WEST AMWELL — Animal lovers are invited to visit the new “Fabulous Felines” cat adoption center at Animal Alliance’s Planned Pethood low-cost spaying and neutering clinic at 1432 Route 179.
   A bevy of cats in all shapes, sizes, ages and colors await new homes at this special shelter, which consists of a free-roaming cat room for cats with special needs along with a second room with cats in enclosures.
   ”These are community cats who have been picked up as strays by our local animal control officer or have been surrendered due to changes in their owner’s circumstances. These are friendly, lovable cats who need a place to call home,” said Lori Stagnitto, president of LAW, a coalition of community partners working collaboratively to improve animal welfare in Lambertville and southern Hunterdon County.
   LAW has a partnership with Animal Alliance, which provides low-cost spaying and neutering services to the community as well as taking in stray and surrendered cats as space allows.
   Animal Alliance Executive Director Anne Trinkle said the free-roaming cat adoption room was made possible through a bequest from a Whitehouse resident who specified his posthumous gift should be used to aid homeless cats in the care of Animal Alliance.
   The Gilbert Cosgren Cat Adoption Room is bright and airy and has a large window where cats can sit on the windowsill. Cats also can recline in the many cat beds, jump from perch to perch or play with each other or the many cat toys and enrichment activities found throughout the room.
   ”Kitten season is upon us,” said Ms. Trinkle, referencing the spring and summer months when nearly all kittens are born. “We receive so many requests each day to take in homeless cats, and those requests triple during kitten season.”
   At present, there are 25 felines awaiting adoption, ranging in size from small kittens to an oversize cat who tips the scales at 20 pounds. There are tabbies, tigers, calicos, torties, tuxedos as well as cats in solid colors of black, white and grey.
   There are several bonded pairs of cats that must be adopted together, but most cats can be adopted out on their own. All have been tested for feline leukemia/FIV, are spayed or neutered, dewormed and up to date on vaccines.
   The adoption fee is $100 for adult cats 7 months and older and $125 for kittens 6 months and younger.
   From May to July, the adoption fee for a second cat is half the normal fee.
   The center is open weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.
   To preview any of the cats for adoption, see Animal Alliance’s website, www.animalalliancenj.org or visit Lambertville Animal Welfare’s Facebook page.