Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘Catstravaganza’ on tap
Fundraiser aims to help TreeTops Kitty Cafe stay open for its second year
KENNETT SQUARE » A heartwarming addition came to the borough last summer with the opening of TreeTops Kitty Cafe. The nonprofit at 305 W. State St., in the borough is home to 17 cats that were rescued from a kill shelter in South Carolina. They live in the luxury of overstuffed chair, play toys, climbing steps and good food. They await adoption there to make room for the arrival of more cats whose futures would otherwise be in doubt.
But that care costs money, and the fees that the public pays to come and visit them do not raise a lot of cash.
In an effort to keep TreeTops going, they are having a fundraiser on Sunday, April 8.
It will be held at the Kennett Area Senior Center and will feature A band (Bubblin Crude), refreshments, videos, testimonials and raffles. Even animal-loving state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, of West Whiteland will be there and has offered a tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol as one of the prizes.
Tickets are $20 and are available at the cafe, the door or online at Eventbrite.
Organizing the event is TreeTops benefactor Roberta Eldridge, who in previous years has led a drive to collect cat food. She said adopting a cat or kitten from TreeTops is the best way to get a pet, because they have been socialized and get along well with other animals and people. She added that TreeTops is a beneficial visiting place for people who for one reason or another — like apartment rules or allergies — can’t have a cat where they live.
In that connection, Story Time with the Avon Grove Library is held at TreeTops on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.
TreeTops Director Holly Yeatman said this past year’s budget was $35,000, but they are raising it to $118,000 for this year to cover veterinarian services, food, spaying and neutering.
She said TreeTops is financially safe for this year, but needs support to stay afloat for a second year and more.
The cats at TreeTops roam around and play, appearing to enjoy the whole experience. They are happy to have visitors hold and pet them, and the visitors for their part enjoy the time spent.
The number of cats living there from rescue at any one time is 17 because of borough regulations, but over the time TreeTops has been opened, they have successfully adopted out 96 cats. All the cats there arrive from the shelter in South Carolina.
A team of volunteers from Kennett High School and others staff the work room taking care of the feeding and litter boxes. The front — public — room is immaculate and warm.
Visitors pay a small fee for the visits, and can also buy a visitor’s pass.
TreeTops is closed on Monday. It is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.