Newtown, Conn. (December 1, 2013) – Kitten Associates, “The New Breed of Cat Rescue,” is a home foster-based non-profit cat rescue group located in Sandy Hook, Conn. In the wake of last December’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, Kitten Associates jumped into action, creating the program “Kitties for Kids,” a unique therapeutic play session with their rescue-kittens, designed to help soothe broken hearts. The program was a great success, garnering accolades from the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and, most recently, highlighted as a feature article in the December 2013 issue of Cat Fancy magazine, a national publication.
“We know our community will never truly heal from this tragedy and for that reason, beginning on the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Shooting and for two weeks following, we are re-opening our “Kitties for Kids” program for anyone who needs it.” says Kitten Associates Founder, President and Award-Winning cat blogger of CoveredinCatHair.com, Robin A.F. Olson. “Last year we were honored to witness the special healing power that simply petting a cat or watching them leap after a toy brings to young and old alike. For that reason, we decided to invite our fellow residents to return to our cat-filled home again.”
“Kitties for Kids” will run from December 14—28, 2013 from 1pm to 5pm (only closed on Christmas Day). Each kitten visit will last for 30 minutes, with the ability to request longer periods or repeat visits. To ensure the safety of both children and the cats, Kitten Associates can only allow children over the age of 4 to meet their foster cats and kittens. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
After children visit with the kittens, and for younger kids aged 2-4 who can’t visit the live kitties, the organization will be giving each child a free plush kitty. Those particularly affected will receive a K.T. Cat, a super-soft, cuddly play and sleep mate designed to help children express their feelings. This educational plush toy will also remind them of the comfort of the real animals.
“We were humbled by seeing the joy return to the faces of the families who took part in our program and our kittens loved the attention. We knew that this first anniversary was going to be toughest, so we decided to re-open Kitties For Kids as a way of giving back to our community” says the group’s Vice President, Sam Moore. “We have a house full of kittens who love to play and purr. They are truly a cure for what ails an aching heart.”
“Though our primary mission is rescuing cats and kittens and placing them into loving homes, we’re going to take a break from that and focus on helping soften the pain of what will surely be a difficult time for everyone in Newtown.” Olson explains. “We want to be there for our community in any way we can.”
# # #
For more information about the Kitten Associates, a 501c3 non-profit organization, visit their website at kittenassociates.org. To set up a visit, request a free plush for your child, or to make donation, interested parties should email Kitten Associates at info@kittenassociates.org or call 203-744-9CAT (9228). To learn more about K.T. Cat plush toys, visit http://www.ustimefun.com/kt-cat/ and to learn more about Cat Fancy, visit their web site http://www.catchannel.com/cat-fancy/