WEST MILFORD — There's lots to celebrate at the West Milford Animal Shelter this Sunday, June 23.
First, the long-awaited ribbon cutting for the shelter's latest addition will take place at noon. Mayor Bettina Bieri, a shelter volunteer, will do the honors.
"The WMASS has operated the animal shelter exclusively on a volunteer basis since 1994," said Bieri. "Since that time, we have raised enough funds to construct four major projects at no cost to the taxpayers. Each project has significantly improved the quality of life for the animals in our care. This expansion provides for three cage-free environments for adult cats, a larger adoption room, and an isolation room for sick animals. The animals are happier, healthier and live with so much less stress than before as they await their forever home."
Potential adopters can now see the cats in a more natural and relaxed environment, making it easier to find the right one for them.
The second event is to highlight the cats' own facebook page, TheRealCatsAtWMASS which has received over 1,000 likes. Many people now know all about the cats and kittens waiting for new homes and families before they come into the shelter to adopt and have a few favorites that have caught their attention. Sometimes they adopt one of them and sometimes another cat turns out to be the one for them.
The shelter's volunteers care for over 1,000 homeless animals every year. Their payment is seeing a homeless cat, dog or kitten become a member of a family and having a new forever home of their own.
The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be available and fun activities are planned. The shelter is located on Lycosky Drive, behind the recycling center. For information, call 973-728-2859 or visit www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org or TheRealCatsAtWMASS on facebook.