Fun with Cats, a free Deane Little Beans program for youngsters ages 3 to 12, is next Saturday, Oct. 10 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Deane Center lobby. Free snacks will be provided.

Eight healthy kittens being fostered by Jill Hall of the Tioga County Cat Project will be ready for play time and cuddles. 

Catnip toys and treats will be provided so youngsters can have fun with the kittens. They will also learn unique and interesting facts about cats and, if there is time will play Cat Bingo for prizes, such as lollipops.

By Oct. 10, the kittens will be between 12 and 14 weeks old, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and available for adoption. 

The four males are: Lil Burrito, all black; Blizzard, white with a spot of gray and blue eyes; Avalanche, white with long fur; and Aladdin, a gray tiger with four white feet.

The four females include: Jasmine, all black; Aurora, a tortoiseshell with four white feet; and two orange cats, Elsa (marbled with swirl patterns) and Anna (tiger-striped).

“Those who want to adopt a kitten can start the process by visiting the Tioga County Cat Project website to download and fill out an application or take one during the Fun with Cats program to fill out,” Hall said.  

“The eight kittens are from three different litters and three different feral cat colonies, one in Blossburg and two in Roseville. Lil Burrito was rescued in Roseville during a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. He was suffering from Giardia and Coccidia. Both can be deadly for kittens as they cause infections and severe dehydration. Supportive care and medication were provided and Lil Burrito is doing well.”

Anna, Aladdin, Jasmine, Aurora, and Elsa were also rescued in Roseville. “Laura Clarson, our president, spent several hours in the rain coaxing these kitties out from under a shed,” said Hall. “The colony caretaker told us they were quite friendly and would make great pets. After a foster home was secured, the kittens were brought into our organization, treated for worms and eye infections, and have all recovered.” 

Avalanche and Blizzard were trapped during a TNR program in Blossburg. They had severe upper respiratory infections and fleas that would have caused death if they had not received supportive care. They are in great health and enjoying being indoor kitties,” she added.

“Had we not rescued them, all of the kittens would have died because they did not have a home. Everything they had was preventable,” Hall said.

A parent or adult is asked to preregister (RSVP) youngsters for this program online at deanecenter.com. For more information, call 570-724-6220 or email director@deanecenter.com.
 
Deane Little Beans is sponsored by the UPMC Health Plan, C&N Bank, First Citizens Community Bank, the Horace B. Packer Foundation, Charles Knox and Margaret C. Etner Foundation and the Earle W. and Ina G. Tabor Foundation.