Volunteers of the Westfield Homeless Cat Project in 2012: Sharon Wielgus, Roxanne Sprague, Pat Mitchell, Marie Boccasile, Denise Sinico, Roger Angers, Paula Pagos, and Anna LaPorte. (File photo by Don Wielgus)
WESTFIELD – This summer had been a busy one for Denise Sinico and the Westfield Homeless Cat Project (WHCP).
“We probably have about 40 cats right now, and we always have people bringing my kittens to foster homes, because I try not to keep kittens here,” said Sinico, director of the WHCP.
“Kittens come in and they’re usually not in great shape, so I send them to foster homes and have vet techs go to the homes and take care of the kittens,” she said. “When they’re two pounds and ready to go, they come in during our adoption times.”
For the rest of the summer, this no-kill cat and kitten rescue facility located on 1124 East Mountain Road will be holding adoptions on Thursday evenings from 5-7 p.m., Saturday mornings from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday afternoons 1-3 p.m.
As to how many cats can go home with a person at one time, Sinico said it all depends on the ordinance of the community that the adopter resides in.
“A lot of times people adopt two kittens. I’ve had three kittens at a time, but I would wonder if a person came in to adopt five,” she said, adding that the city of Westfield limits one cat to an apartment and three to a house.
“Every person has to fill out an application and then meet with an adoption coordinator, and if we see something we’re not comfortable with… we do refuse a lot of people,” she said.
Sinico said adopters have come from as far away as Maine and New Jersey, and that she has flown cats – “with somebody” she assured – out to California and Florida. She’s even had inquiries from Ireland.
“I did fly a cat on it’s own once, because the owner lost the cat in Westfield and I found them,” Sinico said. “I flew it down to Florida where they had moved to.”
All cats up for adoption from the WHCP are neutered/spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations, deflead, dewormed, tested for FIV/FELV and come with a bag of cat food.
“Adult cats are a monetary donation of the choice of a good home,” said Sinico. “Then they get a free office visit and exam at the Blandford Animal Hospital.”
Sinico added that kittens that are up to eight weeks old cost between $100 and $150 when adopted through the WHCP.
Next week, the WHCP will also be holding a cat food drive at the 8th Annual Wheels & Whiskers Benefit Car Show on Sunday, August 10, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mestek Field.
Gary Francis is the organizer the Westfield Cruisers, who put on the event every summer. Donations of canned food are needed to feed hungry kittens, pregnant mothers, and other homeless adult cats awaiting adoption from the WHCP.
“Gary Francis has been wonderful to us, and every year he’s done this for us. He’s a cat lover himself,” said Sinico.
“It’s always a really nice event. Last year we had over 100 cars,” she said. “There is a tag sale, food, a lot of great stuff. Hopefully it’ll be nice out.”
Sinico added that donations can be dropped off on other occasions at the Westfield Homeless Cat Project headquarters on East Mountain Road.
