Cat adoption event goes fast and furry-ous

For dog lovers, it probably looked like a cat-astrophe.

But for friends of felines on the island, last week’s furry affair at Bainbridge Island City Hall was a true cat-alyst.

For the first time ever, the Kitsap Humane Society took over the city’s municipal center and turned city hall into “Kitty Hall.” Portable kennels filled with kittens and cats were set up throughout the council chambers, giving islanders a chance to see the 20 adorable puffs of fluff and maybe take one home.

Officials with the Kitsap Humane Society said “kitty hall” events have been held in cities elsewhere across the country, including Seattle, and such adoption efforts are great ways to raise awareness of all the cats and kittens that get turned into shelters during the busy summer months.

Bainbridge’s kitty hall followed one in Poulsbo, where eight cats were adopted.

Bainbridge city spokeswoman Kellie Stickney said kitty hall was packed from the start, before the first feline was taken out of its “Pet Waggin’” cardboard carrying box.

“Before we were even set up, people were coming,” Stickney said.

Some folks just stopped by for a few kitten cuddles. Even so, the cats went quick. There were a dozen adoptions completed just a little more than an hour into the event.

Out of the 20 cats brought to Bainbridge, 14 were adopted.

City Councilwoman Sarah Blossom came by and adopted two, Stickney said.

Another “kitty hall” event was also held in Port Orchard.

“Kitsap Humane Society is so excited to host our first-ever round of Kitty Hall events,” said adoption coordinator Samantha Fairweather. “We think they will be a great way to connect with the community and to promote cat adoptions and our other cat-related programs like fostering, vet care and volunteering.”

There’s no shortage of pets needing a forever home, she added, and efforts will continue to get many of them placed.

“KHS took in over 3,500 cats and kittens in 2016 and is on track to take in at least that many kitties again in 2017 — we know Kitsap County is full of cat lovers!” Fairweather said.