Guests dress up at the Salem Friends of Felines Paws and Purrsonality fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2019, in Salem. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Cat-lovers united recently as Salem Friends of Felines, a nonprofit that shelters and adopts out homeless cats, had its 14th Annual Paws and Purrsonality fundraiser.
More than 100 guests attended the always-popular event, held Oct. 5 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Board President Karla Canida greeted all the guests while Claire “Minky D’Paws” Killebrew from Cherry City Roller Derby handled check-ins. Singer J.T. Meier played classic rock tunes and a hosted bar served beer, wine and “The Fuzzy Kitten,” made from lemonade and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Canida introduced major sponsors Gail and Tremaine Arkley. They sat with Kate Beland and Joe Sheean. Board treasurer Sandra Shore, from Salem Health, socialized with supporters Stephanie Hulett and Jackie Geck. Shore attended with her husband Ryan Mackey and their daughter Jane Mackey.
We were all given cat ears to wear while we “purrused” the silent auction. There were hundreds of items, most cat-themed. Despite being allergic to cats, even Seema Mohindra and Radhinka Puri attended to support their friends.
Salem Friends of Felines Shelter & Adoption Center can house only 50 cats and kittens so they rely on volunteer foster homes. Fostering a kitten is a great way to help socialize a cat and see if adoption is right. The Friends of Felines is funded through donations and its thrift store. The center also provides affordable spay and neuter services.
Salem Friends of Felines is located at 980 Commercial St. S.E. To learn more, visit www.sfof.org.
Sandra Shore from Salem Health socialized with Stephanie Hulett and Jackie Geck at the Salem Friends of Felines Paws and Purrsonality fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2019, in Salem. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Guests consider auction items at the Salem Friends of Felines Paws and Purrsonality fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2019, in Salem. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Board President Karla Canida greeted all the guests, while Claire Killebrew from Cherry City Roller Derby handled check-ins at the Salem Friends of Felines fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2019, in Salem. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Singer J.T. Meier played classic rock at the Salem Friends of Felines Paws and Purrsonality fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2019, in Salem. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Seema Mohindra and Radhinka Puri attend Salem Friends of Felines Paws and Purrsonality fundraiser on Oct. 5, 2019, in Salem. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing a regular column for Salem Reporter. Tell her about your upcoming event at [email protected] or follow her on Facebook.
