Cats’ Cradle fundraiser draws support at Applebee’s

TO THE EDITOR:

Tuesday, June 9, was an exciting day as Cats’ Cradle volunteers joined with the staff at Applebee’s for a successful fundraising event.

Applebee’s staff proudly wore cat ears as they greeted and seated customers. Cats’ Cradle board members and other volunteers greeted customers and shared information about the organization by providing brochures, cards, and pictures of rescued cats available for adoption.

Cats’ Cradle is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that was incorporated in Burke County in October 1999 and granted its nonprofit status in March 2000. Founded by Lynda Garibaldi, the cat rescue operates with volunteers who serve the Unifour area. The group shows cats for adoption at Hickory PetSmart, and, in February of this year, opened its own cat adoption center in Morganton at 301 Collett St. in the former News Herald building, now called The Mews Herald.

Cats’ Cradle’s mission is “to bring about a time when no more abused or abandoned cats will be destroyed.”

This mission is achieved by rescuing and caring for cats, providing them with spay/neuter, vaccinations, medical treatment, and then finding them good homes; supporting families who need advice and help caring for cats; operating in a professional manner that supports its mission; and advocating for humane treatment of cats and all other living creatures.

Other goals and services include working with other rescue groups and animal services to find homes for cats; operating a facility to showcase cats available for adoption; providing information and advice about how to care for cats; and inviting members of our community to foster cats, volunteer, and help cats in whatever way they can.

In addition to showing cats for adoption, The Mews Herald offers the community a cat cafe, a special occasion venue, a conference room, and an area for cat visitation where they can view, play, and learn about cats, or simply enjoy the companionship of cats.

We would like to thank Applebee’s manager Mike Searcy and staff for hosting Cats’ Cradle on a regular basis and for donating 25% of the day’s total sales to support our lifesaving work for cats.

JUDY LOWERY

Cats’ Cradle Board Member