Cat Wranglers celebrate successful fundraiser
The Silver Valley Cat Wranglers recently held their annual silent auction fundraiser at the Dirty Dog Saloon. The event raised $8,500 for the feline-friendly organization. Pictured, from left, are Nathan Bruck, Kyrsten Kennaugh, Juli Zook, Donna Tunis, and canine volunteer Autumn.
Courtesy photo
KELLOGG – The Silver Valley Cat Wranglers have a little bit of breathing room thanks to a recent fundraiser that went above and beyond for the local feline rescue group.
According to Juli Zook, the group’s recent silent auction netted them $8,500, almost half of what the Wranglers spent last year on spays and neuters.
Hosted at the Dirty Dog... err, Dirty Kitty Saloon, owners Mike and Linda Kennaugh have made a habit of hosting fundraisers and donating the night’s sales revenue to the cause.
“The event was a tremendous success, thanks in large part to our generous hosts,” Zook said. “We also would like to thank Kellogg Pet Medical for supplying the food. Without people like this, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. They are invaluable to our community.”
The fundraiser received donations and auction items from nearly 100 different local businesses, which Zook believes may be a record for such an event.
“We are so blessed to live in such a giving and supportive community,” Wrangler President Rene Gilbert said. “Without so many generous businesses and individuals opening their hearts and wallets, it would be impossible for us to continue taking care of our most vulnerable and innocent animals.”
The Silver Valley Cat Wranglers devote all their energy and funding to controlling the cat population in Shoshone County in the most humane way possible. This includes trapping and fixing feral cats, taking in stray or potentially homeless cats and kittens, getting them fixed and adopted, or helping cat owners with the costs of getting their pets fixed.
These efforts are not cheap, with last year’s total expenses totaling more than $20,000. According to Gilbert, in the days leading up to the fundraiser, the Wranglers took in 10 kittens in less than 36 hours. Last year, they were responsible for getting more than 100 cats fixed.
“Our work wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers and board members,” Gilbert said. “They work tirelessly to trap, foster, adopt, transport, medicate, and care for our community's feline population.”
For more information, you can contact the Silver Valley Cat Wranglers at (208) 446-7131, Juli Zook at (208) 659-1764, or Rene Gilbert (208) 512-2173.