June is Adopt A Cat Month: Find Your Purr-Fect Furry Friend

June begins the kickoff of summer, with blooming flowers, warmer weather and cats.

This month is the American Humane Association's Adopt-a-Cat Month and shelters across the country, including in the tri-boro, are in search for loving homes to be provided for the kittens and cats that are still waiting for lovable owners to adopt them from shelters.

With kitten season among us, it means more homes are needed for these furry friends. If you have an open home and an open heart, adopting a cat this month will help out your local shelter, in addition to adding a new member to your family.

“They do not need to be walked in the rain or cold. They are low-maintenance-you don’t have to worry about rushing home to let them out. And if you only have one cat, you are missing out on the whole experience," said Ellen Ribitzki, corresponding secretary of (BASS).

Although cats may be low-maintence, they certainly do not fall short in the lovable catagory. Whether they want to cuddle up next to you or join you while you are reading the news, cats have much to offer without being demanding. Most are wonderful companions for children, adults or seniors.

Another shelter in the tri-boro is Tri-Boro Animal Welfare, located in Kinnelon. It is a non-profit organization that depends on volunteers and all financial donations are used for the animals. They too are looking for homes for their pets and are open to the public from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays for adoption. Any other day needs to be made by appointment by calling the shelter at 973-831-5555.

Want to help a cat but cannot adopt? Both shelters are in need of volunteers and donations of products, such as food and cat litter, and monetary donations are always welcomed. is also looking for volunteers to maintain their mailing lists, paperwork, marketing or anything someone is willing to offer their time for. Volunteers at the shelter must be over 18 to work with the animals. They also offer a Guardian Angel program in three-month increments for $50 in which donors provide the shelter with special medical care, toys, special treats and other items.

Tri-Boro Animal Welfare has adoption fees of $90 for an adult which includes vaccines, exams, the spaying or neutering of the cat and $55 for a kitten which is not spayed or neutered. They also work with the Ringwood Animal Hospital. “They kindly provide us with quality care for our pets and give us a good rate," said Dorothy Watkins, the cat manager at Tri-boro.

Bloomingdale Animal Shelter adoption fees are about $100 and that includes the saying or neutering and distemper vaccine. The shelter works with People For Animals, an affordable spay/neuter clinic who provides a low cost of $60-$65 for a spay or neuter per cat. They take up to 20 animals at a time, picking up from the shelter at 7 a.m. and returning at about 5 p.m. the same day. Anyone is eligible to have their cat spayed or neutered through the program and can contact the shelter for more information on using this service.

The Bloomingdale Animal Shelter is located at 23 Brandt Lane and can be contacted at 973-838-2220 for additional information. Adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tri-Boro Animal Shelter is located at 118 Kinnelon Road in Kinnelon and can be contacted by calling 973-831-5555. Adoption hours are Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and they also have their pets at , located in the Meadtown Shopping Center in Kinnelon every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Animals bring much love into a home and although we tend to think we are helping them by adopting them, they often end up helping us by their love and companionship.