South County Cats held its first annual CAToberfest on Oct. 18 at the Cedar Grange in Maple Valley. The event was held in celebration of National Feral Cat Day and the fact that South County Cats has reached its 500th spay/neuter this year.

It was an afternoon of education, children’s activities, raffle, cat adoptions, food and fun. South County Cats would like to thank everyone –businesses and individuals alike – who made this event a success. The funds raised will be used to support South County Cats’ spay/neuter assistance program.

South County Cats is a Maple Valley-based organization that works to reduce euthanasia in local shelters by helping local residents trap feral cats, transport those cats to a spay/neuter facility in Lynnwood, and then return the cats to their original homes. This is referred to as “Trap-Neuter-Return,” and is helping to significantly reduce both the number of cats killed in shelters and the number of kittens born to feral cats. When possible, the kittens of feral cats are socialized (tamed) and adopted out. Financial assistance is also available to help low-income catowners spay or neuter their pet cats.

South County CATS would like to thank the following for their contributions to CAToberfest: Auburn Red Barn, Cedar Grill Restaurant, China Light Restaurant, The Cutting Room Salon, Earth Pet, Furry Faces Foundation, Gloria’s Restaurant, Hawthorn Tree Massage and Emu Ranch, La Fogata Restaurant, Mud Bay, Roberta’s Neighborhood Hair Salon, Safeway (east Highlands in Renton), Starbuck’s (4th in Renton), Ilene Beal, Jane Bobbit, Linda Bowker, Mary Ann Davis, Cris Ellingson, Ruth Farkle, Carolyn Fischer, Tracy Frigard, Sally Halela, Debbie Howe, Michell Ibara, Cathy King, Craig Marhaniemi, Ali Morland, Kathy and Jeff Myers, Margaret Nomi, Sheila Pless, Cathleen Powell, Bob Smith, Kathy and Geoff Sakahara, Barbara and Mike Sawyer, Mary Sweeney and Erin Wojewodzki. South County CATS also wishes to thank everyone who came to the event and made it so successful and fun.

If you missed the CAToberest event but would like to donate to South County Cats, please contact Kathy at (425) 432-2963. The items on the “Most Wanted” list include cat food (canned and dry), cat litter, towels, cat toys and (probably most useful) gift cards to Costco for the purchase of supplies. Monetary donations can be mailed to South County Cats, 26828 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE., Maple Valley, WA 98038.

There are many volunteer opportunities, such as fostering kittens, driving, trapping, cleaning and fund-raising. For information about the organization, please visit www.southcountycats.petfinder.org

Kathy Myers is a volunteer with South County Cats.