Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin hosts kitten adoption event

Tracy Alaia is hopeful she can bring shelter animals one step closer to finding their forever homes by hosting kitten adoption events at her Irwin shop.

On Tuesday, seven kittens pounced around Feathers Artist Market and Gifts as part of an adoption event in conjunction with White Oak Animal Safe Haven.

“I’ve heard that this year, especially, (shelters are) really overrun with kittens because, during covid, I don’t think people had a chance to get (animals) spayed and neutered as much,” Alaia said. “So the volunteers are working extra hard, and anything I can do to help is a win-win.”

The event acted as a way for community members to interact with the kittens, which were blocked off in a gallery space at the Fourth Street shop.

“We have a lot of kittens and cats looking for homes,” said Kristy Smethwick, a volunteer at White Oak Animal Safe Haven. “I’m sure every shelter feels that way. We just thought we would bring them here and get exposed in a different setting than they’re usually in.”

Smethwick is fostering five kittens that are up for adoption. The other two are being fostered by Mackenzie Demme, an animal care specialist at the shelter.

The kittens are between 10 and 16 weeks old.

This is the first adoption event hosted at Feathers in conjunction with White Oak Animal Safe Haven. Alaia previously hosted an adoption event with Pet Friends in Irwin.

Several other adoption events are scheduled at the shop this year.

Pet Friends will host an event from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17. White Oak Animal Shelter is planning a similar event from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31.

“Anything we can do to get them homes is important,” Smethwick said.