Kitty City is a project of Cabarrus CARES, a Coalition of Animal Rescue Efforts and Services. We are an independent, volunteer-run organization that seeks to both educate the public and find good homes for rescued cats.

Animal Education

We are first and foremost an animal education center. At no charge we visit with local school, church, scout, and other groups to teach children about animals, animal care, and animal safety. A strong focus is placed on the importance of spaying and neutering as well as proper handling of pets and strange animals. Since January 2006 we have met with over 1,000 kids. Our goal is to reach the rest.

If you would like us to visit with your school, youth group, scout group, or organization, give us a call or an e-mail. We would be happy to come.

Feline Adoption

Kitty City's second function is as a feline adoption center. We partner with many local veterinary offices and recieve most all of our cats from them. All cats we place are up-to-date on their shots and have been spayed or neutered (if old enough). We have been at our Union Street location since September 2005 and have adopted out over 400 cats to good homes.

Our adoption fee is $85.00 and contributes to the following:

• Spay / Neuter
• Needed medical care
• Food and litter
• Operating expenses

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Kitty City?

Kitty City is an education and adoption center that works with all companion animal issues. Although we have cats available to place in good homes, our primary focus is on education of children and adults about important animal topics and safety.

How do you do that?

We go by invitation into schools and talk with children of all ages, from preschool programs to high school and college groups. We’ve talked with Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs. This fall we will be visiting Moms Clubs and Home School programs. Additionally, we invite scout troops and service organizations to hold meetings in our center.

What do you talk about?

We discuss the need for vaccinations for animals – just as children need certain shots before starting school, all puppies and kittens need shots to protect them from parvo, distemper and other viruses, as well as rabies. A big part of the discussion is on veterinary care, parasite control and the importance of spaying and neutering. We talk about animal overpopulation and the balance of nature that is disturbed when abandoned cats reproduce in neighborhoods. But our main concern is prevention of accidents with dogs and cats. Our key points:

• Don’t tease dogs on chains or in kennels
• Don’t hold cats with claws near the face
• If a dog runs at you, be like a rabbit – stand very still
• If it is going to hurt you, be like a turtle, make your back into a shell and pull your arms and legs and face under your shell
• If an animal is injured, get a grown-up to help you rescue it
• If you are scratched by a cat, be sure and tell a grown-up to clean the wound

What surprises people most?

The fact that diseases such as parvo can kill puppies and can be easily prevented by vaccinations. The fact that animal bites and scratches are the fastest growing type of accidents that send Americans to emergency rooms for treatment – currently, over 1 million victims every year. Also, the fact that according to ASPCA statistics, 90% of abandoned puppies and kittens die from starvation, are killed by other animals, are run over, or are poisoned or shot by people who don’t want more animals in their neighborhoods.

Who is Sully?

Sully is the key member of a team of animals chosen for good temperament to go into children’s groups to illustrate our lessons. Others may include Tinker and Buck, two dogs, and Bobby, a cat who is leash trained. Sully has been visiting classrooms for 5 years. Children always remember him in their thank-you letters. They identify with him because, like them, Sully is little!

Is the program working?

Teachers are excited and always say good things about our visits. We are negotiating dates with schools in Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Stanly Counties. To date, Sully has visited with well over 1000 children between January and May 2006. Our goal is to visit all schools in our region in 2007.

There is no charge for our program. If we can prevent even one serious injury to a child because he/she learned good lessons from Kitty City, it will be successful.