Caring for the cats

With the winter storm dumping a foot or more of snow in the area, Carbon County Friends of Animals at 77 W. 13th St. in East Jim Thorpe had extra help over the weekend, as well as plans in place for the care of the cats during the storm.

Weatherly Cadet Troop 34320 spent several hours at the shelter on Saturday and donated items to the shelter such as food, treats and cleaning supplies. Each scout received a patch for her volunteer work.

“They’ve been folding laundry, cleaning out litter boxes, and cleaning cat fur off everything,” Michele Antolick said.

With the bitterly cold temperatures, condensation was forming on the inside walls of the shelter. The Scouts helped clean up the water and make the rooms safe for the cats.

This was the Scouts’ first time volunteering at the shelter.

“And I think we have some (Scouts) that will repeat,” Michele Antolick said.

“I liked taking care of the cats,” Melissa McGee said. When asked her favorite part of caring for them, “Petting them,” was her reply. She has three of her own cats at home.

“I like playing with them,” Aly Davidovich said.

Rachel Kunz, assistant manager for CCFOA, said the shelter had plans ready during the storm.

“We’re going to be coming in early, “Kunz said. “We want to have the least amount of people as possible to avoid having anyone getting hurt on the way. We’re going to do extra food and water bowls, do an extra good cleaning, make sure there are extra blankets, extra pillows, extra spots for them to lay.”

Kunz also said they might even plan on staying at the shelter during the storm.

“Some of us can’t stay away; some of us sneak up to here to check on everyone,” she said. “We talked about just staying overnight and watching a movie and play with the cats; so, we’re talking about a slumber party.”