Event Focuses Spotlight On Overpopulation

Wild About Cats of Cumberland County is hosting the first-ever Rocky’s Retreat Catico as a way to find homes for local cats.

President Cindy Hughes said Cumberland County has a major problem of cats being mishandled.

“We are overpopulated with cats because a lot of people don’t want to spay and neuter their pets,” Hughes said. “So when they end up pregnant they will throw them out. We have gotten several that were tossed out because they came up pregnant.”

Hughes said this happens because some pet owners are not responsible and are not doing the due diligence of finding resources for low-cost spay and neutering. Hughes said even though some may not be wild about cats, she still encourages everyone to come out because the cats will be wild about you.

“We love it when people come to socialize with the cats or come and play with them,” Hughes said. “They are not obligated all they are doing is sitting and playing with them. Who doesn’t want to play with a cat or a kitten.”

Hughes said the non-profit is funded mainly through grants and donations. Hughes said she will do whatever it takes for the cats to go to a good home.

“We adopt throughout the United States,” Hughes said. “We have cats in California, We’ve got them all the way up to Minnesota. We go up to the East Coast and we’ve got a couple of them in Florida now.”

Hughes said they are nationwide as they list cats on pet finder. After extensive research on the adopter if they believe it’s a fit they will use a pet transport company called Rescue Riders to pick up and deliver the cats. Hughes said she started the non-profit as she has a strong love for cats.

Hughes said the event was named in memory of a beloved cat named Rocky. Rocky’s Retreat Catico will take place Saturday, September 14.