What did your Christmas Eve consist of? Last minute shopping? Wrapping? Too much eggnog? For some selfless celebrities and Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats, a 100% feral cat rescue with the only all feral socialization facility in Southern California, Christmas Eve was an opportunity to do some good for some very deserving kitties.
As we were readying our little kittens for their forever loving homes, we thought about the felines who really could use some charity this season,” says Kitty Bungalow Headmistress Shawn Simons told iHeartCats.com. “For us the answer was easy: the feral street cats. We constantly see the feral cats misrepresented and maligned in the media, however we believe that a feral cat is — just a cat. The overpopulation problem is a problem created by humans and therefore we must find a humane solution, rather than blaming the cats. We decided that the street cats could use a little Christmas cheer.”
So, thanks to a generous donation from Wellness Cat food (over two pallets of food!) They were able to distribute 6,000 meals for 400 homeless cats. Their Holiday Soup Kitchen provided the food for fixed feral cats through their colony managers, and gave enough delicious and nutritious food to get them from Christmas to New Year’s Eve.
Animal-loving celebrities joined in to the distribute the food: Elaine Hendrix (Sex&Drugs&Rockand Roll) and Maitland Ward (White Chicks).
When asked why they participated in this holiday soup kitchen over more traditional ones, Elaine answered:
“It takes nothing away from us as a society to include the four-legged when we care for others, especially during the holidays. In fact, helping animals only helps us humans in the long run.”
Maitland agreed saying,
“Along with giving canned food and toys to the needy, it’s always important to me that I do my part for the animals—and especially these kitties. I think it’s time we can bring awareness to a place like Kitty Bungalow and how it needs support all throughout the year, not just at Christmas time.”
Shawn Simons added,
“We run a donation-based funded ‘School Lunch’ Program all year round where we supplement low-income feeders with kibble for their fixed colonies each month. We can always use donations towards that program so we can keep this Christmas cheer all year round!”
Colony managers arrived at 11:00 am and were treated to hot cider and Christmas music before the gates opened. Each person was allotted boxes of Wellness by the size of the colony they care for. Elaine and Maitland spoke to each colony manager thanking them for what they do to keep the feral felines safe and fed. Kitty Bungalow had volunteer’s with reindeer antlers and carts to help take the food to the cars.
Each manager also left with a tin of premium cat nip from The Original Cat Scratch Lounger to take home for their own cat.
This was the first time Kitty Bungalow did this holiday food drive. Simons said the success guarantees they will be doing it next year. Want to help? You can always donate to Kitty Bungalow by going to their website.