When shelter cats are waiting for a place to call home, little things can make a big difference. A comfy cat bed can make their shelter stay as homey as possible. An interactive toy or a cat tree can provide them with hours of entertainment and enrichment.
In the spirit of the holidays, Chewy recently donated a bunch of goodies to the shelter cats at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“It was so incredibly heartwarming to have the Chewy team bring amazing gifts to our shelter cats,” says Lauren Ellis, development and marketing manager at Peggy Adams.
The Chewy crew surprises the cats at Peggy Adams with boxes of new supplies. By Chewy Studios.
Several Chewy team members were on hand to unpackage and set up the cat supplies, which included Frisco’s Sherpa Cuddler hexagon pet beds, Frisco’s crinkle play tunnels, a 52-inch tall cat tree and scratching posts, among other items.
It brought great enjoyment to the cats and helps with socialization and behavior enrichment — Lauren Ellis, development and marketing manager at Peggy Adams.
Among the Chewy volunteers was senior web editor Nikki Naser. Not only was Naser excited to give the cats some new stuff to claim as their own, but also she was eager to spend time with the shelter kitties.
“The moment I heard the words ‘room full of shelter cats,’ I was on board,” she says.
It didn’t take long for these cats to know that the stuff inside the Chewy boxes was for them.
“I think they knew that everything inside was for them, kind of like how my dog knows when the Chewy box arrives at home,” Naser says. “They were more than willing to take on the task of inspecting the gifts, supervising the process and ensuring quality control when we were finished setting up.”
Chewy Web Editor Nikki Naser spends quality time with a shelter cat. By Chewy Studios.
From claiming a spot on their new cat tree to playing with the Chewy crew, the cats certainly seemed to have as much fun as the volunteers.
“It brought great enjoyment to the cats and helps with socialization and behavior enrichment,” Ellis says. “It’s fantastic that Chewy shows so much support for shelters and promote pet adoption.”
One feline member even managed to touch Naser’s heart, so much so, that she had trouble leaving without him.
“I heard a howl behind me, and I knew it had to be coming from a senior kitty like my cat,” Naser recounts. Her 14-year-old cat, Nemo, howls at night, which her vet tells her is most likely due to dementia.
“Sure enough, I found the sweetest 15-year-old cat named Pinky peering out at me from his condo,” she says. “I really didn’t want to leave him.”
Pinky, a 15-year-old cat at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, is looking for a permanent home. Photo courtesy of Nikki Naser.
Pinky, like a few of his feline friends, is a part of the “fospice” program at Peggy Adams, which is part foster program, part hospice.
“A fospice parent provides permanent fostering of animals with medical conditions that could preclude them from being placed in a loving home through our adoption program,” Ellis explains. And the fospice animals receive routine medical care, medication, food and other supplies needed free of charge.
I think they knew that everything inside was for them, kind of like how my dog knows when the Chewy box arrives at home. — Nikki Naser, Chewy Senior Web Editor
Naser was impressed that this program existed at the rescue. It gave her hope that Pinky, and cats like him, will find homes where they can spend the rest of their days.
If you’re a cat lover looking for ways to get involved with your local rescue, you may be surprised at all the ways you can lend a paw.
“The cats were ecstatic with the new goodies from Chewy. They could not stop jumping and playing around and snuggling in their new beds,” Ellis says. By Chewy Studios.
“Volunteers play a vital role and various volunteer opportunities exist, including fostering, kennel cleaning, cat cuddlers for socializing, photographers, website memo writers, off-site event help, pet store helpers and more,” Ellis says. “And if someone can’t provide hands-on volunteering, monetary donations and donated items always help make a difference.”
Call your local shelter to see what kind of donations they’re in need of or what type of volunteer opportunities they have available. To find out what donations Peggy Adams currently needs, check out their wish list.
By: Anastasiya Chevtchenko and Lindsay Schencker
Featured Image: By Chewy Studios
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