The Carbon County Friends of Animals recently welcomed area residents and supporters to the open house at its new location in Jim Thorpe.

Board member Kimmy Mulik said the open house was a huge success, bringing in approximately 200 guests."We had a ribbon cutting and a blessing of the building and cat rooms," she said. "Many brought donations or made monetary donations.Several pre-adoption forms were filled out so we are hoping all prospective adopters are approved and some of our furry family friends will get new and loving homes."A special feature of the day was a hand-drawn cat photo, created by Lauren Edsall, a student at Lehighton Area High School. She used five of the shelter cats as inspiration for the drawing.In addition, Edsall also raised $435, as well as collected supplies for the shelter."We are so proud of our accomplishment and cannot thank our supporters enough," Mulik added. "Our loving furry family went from rags to riches. They are very sociable now since they are they are no longer caged, and they are truly loving life. Tears come to our eyes as we watch them run around and play with one another, or just lay in comfort at the windows, soaking up the sun."Our dreams have come true for these felines, but to make it really complete is that they get loving homes. They deserve to have families that will provide the proper, care, love and affection so they may live happily ever after."The shelter is now in the process of organizing its annual Rockin' Rescue event, which will be held July 11 in the Lehighton Borough Park on Second Street.