The Three Rivers Women’s Club formally presented a gift of $300 to St. Joseph County Animal Control (SJCAC) on Wednesday to assist with ongoing efforts to care for an influx of cats. At least two recent police and Sheriff’s Department raids on properties where cats were being hoarded in the Three Rivers area has placed a burden on SJCAC’s center of operations in Centreville and other animal care facilities in the area. Several hundred cats and kittens were confiscated in the raids earlier this month.

Women’s Club President Mary Kay Todd said the donation was being made “in the name of the kitties.” A check presentation ceremony took place outside Women’s Club headquarters at the Carnegie Center for the Arts on Thursday afternoon. Todd was present along with Women’s Club members Cheryl Erins and Jenny Koski and Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Tricia Meyer. Together, the four presented a ceremonial, oversized check to Animal Control Supervisor Greg Musser.

In addition, Koski said the Women’s Club has also secured a donation of 400 pounds of cat food from Blaine’s Farm and Fleet in Portage, along with a commitment for further support. Todd said the Women’s Club will also have a donation table set up at the upcoming Three Rivers Bridge Walk on Labor Day, September 7. Although cash donations will not be accepted, the Women’s Club will field contributions of supplies such as food and litter on behalf of the cats under SJCAC’s care.

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.