This party was the cat’s meow

WEST MILFORD — With a sense of satisfaction and pride, the volunteers of the West Milford Animal Shelter Society (WMASS) held a grand opening of their new feline facilities last Sunday. It was a full-house event with Mayor Bettina Bieri, who is a 20-year volunteer and board member of the WMASS, opening the new “catteries” to the public.

The catteries, three new areas with 1,300 square feet of free-roaming space, greatly reduce adult cat stress and improve their over-all health. As they stretch and lounge in the shade of the outdoor patio area in the summer, or soak up warmth from the sun in the winter months, they are more relaxed and visible and hopefully even more appealing to visitors with an eye towards adoption. An isolation room for sick animals and a brighter, adoption room were also added.

Twenty years ago, volunteers took over the operations of the shelter and since that time there have been three major expansions to the facility. All projects have been paid for by donations and shelter-run fundraising events.

“We have not necessarily expanded upon our capacity but have improved the quality of life for all of our temporary residents with each project," said Bieri. "We want to thank the residents and fans for their continued support, all of which has contributed to our continued success.”

Volunteer Cindy Rinehart was happy to report that three cat adoptions took place on Sunday.

“Our cats are very well socialized. They are handled and brushed and that makes a difference,” she said.

Rinehart believes the free-roaming experience is the best possible scenario for a shelter cat. For quieter, perhaps more cerebral felines, there’s another area named “the library.” The adoption room has cages but each animal has its own “apartment made up of a living room and bathroom.”

Incoming cats are caged at first to help them adjust to a shelter environment, a sometimes traumatic experience depending on their history.

“Some cats don’t cage well and others do better with the reassurance of a cage until they are ready to be transitioned to the cattery,” Rinehart said.

Whether caged or roaming free, the cats of WMASS have been creating quite a stir and a name for themselves of late. And that brings us to the second cause for celebration: 1,000 “likes” on the cat’s own Facebook page, TheRealCatsAtWMASS.

Rinehart explained that many shelter internet sites pronouncing “save this cat today” are too upsetting for animal lovers and they tend to avoid them. By choosing to go a more humorous route, the Facebook page seems to be gaining in popularity while still serving its purpose of promoting awareness and a better knowledge of the individual animals and their personalities.

People have traveled miles to meet some of these famous felines.

“I feel like I’m among celebrity cats,” she said. If a cat gets adopted, it’s posted on the site and it’s a cause of celebration for many.

There are four or five dogs and around 30 cats currently available for adoption with a stream of kittens always coming in and 20-25 kittens presently in a foster program.

With so many homeless animals needing love and human attention, the shelter is always open to new volunteers and donations.

“We have a tremendous town. Thank you to the people who stop in with carloads of food, to the kids who have birthday parties and ask for shelter donations instead of gifts. These moments just make your heart burst,” Rinehart said.

Visit the shelter’s Web site at www.westmilfordanimalshelter.org, the Facebook page at TheRealCatsAtWMASS or call 973-728-2859. The shelter is located at 72 Lycosky Drive, behind the West Milford recycling center.

There may be a purr-fect kitty just waiting to join your household.