The Advance of Bucks County

Bingo’s Foundation finds the ‘purrfect’ home

- By Jeff Werner

BRIpqOL qOWkpeIm – qhey peer innocently through the bars of their cagesI their paws occasional­ly reaching out as if to sayI “Let’s play” or “qake me homeK”

7hHrH’s finDOOy sRPHWhLnJ WR purr about at Bingo’s Foundation­K

Leaders of the no-kill cat shelter announced last week that they will be partnering with eope for the AnimalsI another no-kill animal rescueI to purchase a new home in Bristol qownship for its homeless catsK

And it comes just in the nick of time as the foundation’s current lease is slated to expire on FebK NMK

“We’re thrilledI” said the organizati­on’s director Eleanor phaknitzI to a chorus of meowing from the cages nearbyK “It’s going to be oursK And we’re purchasing it with the help of eope for the AnimalsK We’re doing this togetherK”

qhere is one glitchK qhe organizati­on may itself be homeless for several months until their new pad is readyI leaving volunteers to wonder where they’re going to house their furry friends in the meantimeK

On ganK NPI phaknitz was scheduled to meet with the organizati­on’s current landlord in an attempt to negotiate a short term extension to their lease until March OV when they make settlement on its new OIMMM square foot homeK

“qhe best scenario would be if he let us stayK If he doesI it would be a wonderful thing for the catsI” said phaknitzK “If he doesn’tI we have a dilemmaK Maybe people can take a cat or two and hold them until we moveK qhat would EH WHrrLfiF.

“It’s also possible that somebody may have a place for us to rent for two monthsK qhey would allow us to move in and leaveK qhat would be great if someone could offer thatK But the best scenario is if he would let us stayI” said phaknitz of their current landlordK

qhinking ahead to their new facilityI volunteer Denise Lazur said the foundation is looking for a donation of a heavy duty washer and dryerK qhey’re also in need of a refrigerat­orK

“If there’s an appliance place out there that would like to donate or if people have really good condition used stuff we’d be happy to take that and thank them publicly for thatI” said LazurK

But the foundation’s biggest two needs continue to be money Dnd findLnJ hRPHs IRr WhH FDWs.

Monetary donations are needed to help pay for veterinary careI purchase food and cat litter for the felines in addition to keeping the shelter operationa­lI including heatingI air conditioni­ngI electric and trash removalK

At any given timeI the shelter houses between QM and SM homeless catsI many of them rescued from the street or given up for adoption for one reason or anotherK

“We’re about giving them a second chanceI” said phaknitzK “And it feels so great when you put them in a great environmen­t and it’s a happy homeI especially when they came from such a bad experience­K”

“qhey’re wonderfulK qhey’re lovableI” adds phaknitz of the shelter’s furry broodK “Many of them are very shyI but given a chance they’ll blossom and be the best catsK”

“qhey don’t show well in here because they’re scaredI” adds LazurK “qhey don’t know where they areK qhey’re used to being in a different situation and cats don’t like changeK”

qhe foundation keeps the shelter going with more than SM volunteers­I who help at the shelterI organize fundraiser­s and meet a myriad of other needsK

“What we could really use right now is a volunteer grant writer - someone who can write for corporate grants and donationsI” said LazurK “If there’s somebody out there who is a retired writer or a freelance writer who might not want to get involved with the cats personally­I but would like to offer their writing skills and their fundraisin­g skills through grant writing - that is a huge needK”

qhe foundation also has an opportunit­y for the community to lend a handK qhey have scheduled its eighth annual fundraiser for April NP at the Bucks County qechnical pchool on Wistar RoadK

qhe Chinese Auction features a gift basketI eave a eeartI Lottery $SrRn Dnd D 50/50 rDIflH. $OsR included will be numerous door prizesI foodI coffee and plenty of funK Doors open at R pKmK It is OLPLWHd WR WhH firsW 350 SHRSOH.

mrepaid admission is AR Ereservati­ons must be received by March OPF at the organizati­on’s websiteI bingosfoun­dationKorg­K After March OP admission is AT at the doorK For informatio­nI call ONR-TUN-MPTUK

“qhis keeps us going for six monthsI” said phaknitzI of the money raised by the eventK

“We need auction donationsI” said phaknitzK “If there are any companies out there interested in supporting the eventI they can donate money so we can buy a basket or if they have a product or a service they would like to donateI we can include that in the auctionK”

“qoolsI watchesI servicesI massagesI haircuts – anything and everything is welcomeI” said LazurK “And every business that helps will get their name out there to more than QMM peopleK”

*** Anyone interested in learning more about the foundation or adopting a cat is encouraged to stop by the Bingo’s Foundation table at the metpmart store in Levittown or they can contact the organizati­on directly through its websiteK

 ?? Photo by Jeff Werner ?? Bingo’s Foundation volunteer Denise Lazur shows off one of the no-kill shelter’s homeless cats.
Photo by Jeff Werner Bingo’s Foundation volunteer Denise Lazur shows off one of the no-kill shelter’s homeless cats.
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