Stray cats in Lincoln and Otero counties now have their own no-kill shelter.
Kato Foundation has established Kitty City at 56 Danley Road in La Luz to provide a supportive, loving environment where cats can be assured of safety and affection while they await their new homes, no matter how long it takes, a media release says.
Kitty City, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, was inspired by the biggest animal-cruelty case in Lincoln County history, the “Hoarded Cats of Lincoln County,” according to board member Sunny Aris. Deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Department discovered 135 cats in a filthy trailer in the Hondo Valley in August, many in advanced stages of starvation.
James Miller was convicted of animal cruelty and, as no shelters accepted responsibility for the cat colony, all 135 cats were awarded to Partnership for Animal Welfare, which funded spay-neuter surgeries and medical expenses for the neglected and abused animals.
Of the 135 cats, 134 were saved, many due to round-the-clock care. While most were adopted quickly, many of the almost-feral felines required individualized emotional and physical care to become pets — thus inspiring the “wellness adoption center,” Kitty City.
The shelter opened Nov. 29 and filled quickly, according to co-owner and director Ed Denton, also owner of Pueblo Pipe & Steel.
“We saw a huge need in that case,” Denton said, “and sure enough, we were at “catacity” with 100 cats for people to choose from within three days of opening.”
Kitty City offers nutritional support and a cageless environment with outdoor “lions’ dens” (play-yards). Potential adopters can spend time with cats freely playing inside or outside at Kitty City, rather than selecting a caged animal that may or may not bond with them.
“When adopters and cats can meet and play together without cage walls between them, there is a deeper bond that develops before the pet goes home,” Denton said. “With a higher quality, less stressful introduction, we believe that there is a better chance that this will be a lifetime commitment.”
For an adoption fee of $35 each, Kitty City offers cats that have been spayed or neutered and inoculated to people pre-screened by application who will provide indoor homes for the cats.
Cathy Denton, co-owner of Kitty City, called the foster-cats “treasures.”
“We are determined that they will be adopted by responsible people who give them safe, lifetime homes indoors, so that they will not be a nuisance to wildlife nor be in danger from wildlife, cars, or neglect,” she said. ”We love them … and want them to be with guardians who share our feelings for these wonderful and magical house-lions.”
Aris, host of MTD Radio’s “Critter Connection and vice president of P.A.W., said she feels “this unique and loving environment is long overdue for Otero and Lincoln counties.
“We plan to add units for HIS positive cats and eventually to have facilities for canines — and this will be dependent on donations,” she added.
Kitty City hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information or to meet Kitty City cats, call the shelter at 575-430-6013.