Open house at CLAWS shelter offers adoptable felines and prizes, too

Augusta — CLAWS Cat Rescue and Adoption Shelter of Sussex will host its annual open house on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy giveaways, meet cats for adoption, and participate in CLAWS’ Christmas for the Kitties fundraiser. A $40 adoption fee includes all age appropriate vaccines. All cats and kittens have tested FIV/FELV negative and are also wormed and treated for parasites, including fleas and ticks. Cats of age are spayed/neutered before adoption. Younger kittens are adopted under the condition they will be spayed by the age of six months. All of CLAWS’ cats are available as inside-only pets and must not be declawed. Adopted cats may be returned to CLAWS at any time and for any reason, no questions asked. CLAWS is currently in urgent need of volunteers and donations. “Without volunteers to help care for cats at the shelter, I’m unable to focus on applying for grants,” founder Laurie Walsh said. “If we can’t find more help within the next few weeks, I don’t think the shelter can survive.” The shelter is located at 28 Pelletown Road in Augusta. CLAWS is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information or to volunteer, call 973-875-8540 or visit www.clawscatshelter.com.