Local artists, crafters and a couple of creative cats showcased their talents at the third annual Friends of Companion Animals Open Air Art Market to benefit an all-cats rescue and adoption center.
The market started with five vendors and grew to 15 applicants this year. Their designs ranged from painted wine bottles and photography to handmade fabric and yarn creations. Several artists offered a variety of wall art.
The event was held at 2532 N. Dixie Highway in Frenchtown Township with proceeds benefiting FOCA, a non-profit rescue and adoption center.
Among the artwork featured were six paw paintings created by cats staying at the shelter. The one-of-a-kind pieces are currently being auctioned on eBay at https://www.ebay.com/usr/friendsofcompanionanimals with bidding closing at noon Thursday.
"Two were created by the Kitten Coop, which is a chicken coop that we converted into a place to keep a small litter of kittens so they have room to play,” said director Penny Bly. “They did two pictures called ‘Kitten Around’ and ‘You’ve Got to be Kitten Me.' "
Bly said they used blues and pinks and whites that are often used in association with baby gender since they are baby cats. ‘Like Herding Cats’ was made by the teenagers (cats between the ages of six months and 2 years).
"They had a lot of fun helping the shelter since jumping up and down is what they do best," Bly said. ‘FIV Feline Fine’ was made by our FIV cats using professional Michigan team colors of blue, orange (Tigers) and gray (Lions). ‘Home on the Range’ was created by the cats in the Second Chance Ranch. They are mostly comprised of barn cats so that’s why we went with earth tones. It represents the outdoors.”
The idea to offer paintings created by cats came from Nadine Meeker, Bly’s assistant.
"I love art, which is why I wanted to start the art market three years ago with help from my artist friend Jason Van Stone,” Meeker said. “While on vacation I saw a local morning news cast covering a local shelter with ‘Pup-caso’ artwork that was being auctioned on eBay for hundreds of dollars. It seemed like it would be a great idea to tie in with the art market that started three years ago. Anything we earn from the paintings would help the shelter tremendously with new upgrades so we’re asking folks to bid generously.”
All proceeds from the event benefit the shelter and are used for housing, feeding and caring for the cats. The next fundraiser for the center, “Critters Without Litters Silent Auction Dinner” is slated for November.
Established in 2011, FOCA is the only all-cat rescue and adoption center in the Monroe area operated by volunteers.
"It all started when we saw Monroe needed more options in animal rescue because, at the time, it was lacking – the supply didn’t fit the demand. In truth, it’s still an issue in the county but thanks to social media more people are trying to do their best to help the animals,” said Bly. “We started with dogs and cats but as time went on, we realized that cats are really underrepresented in the area so that’s where we decided to put our focus. Our mission is spaying and neuter to reduce unwanted litters – adoptions are just the side effect. Still, adoptions are the fun part of the process. We love to see cats or kittens go off to forever homes and the happiness people experience.”
In January, FOCA purchased its current location and is in the process of renovating the building, which includes kennels for cats and kittens along with a resale shop. The center is divided into free roaming areas.
“The Kitty Corral houses our ‘teen’ felines. Those are felines who are usually over 6 months but under 2 years old. Some are skittish and some are friendly. The second free-roaming area is called ‘Second Chance Ranch’ – it got its name because it’s got cats who were often born in the wild to either feral or tame moms. Point is, they are cats who deserve a second chance at having a responsible forever home. They range from friendly to semi-feral in this section, with a number of our barn cats and the ones we found at the hoarding house this year,” Bly said.
Other sections include the FIV pen that houses cats that have tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and the Big Room, a large room filled with free roaming cats. The area usually includes mom cats, senior cats, owner surrenders and larger friendly strays.
In March, 33 cats were rescued from an abandoned downtown Monroe home. FOCA was notified and provided emergency care and shelter for the animals.
"We’ve taken in over 500 cats already this year, so we’ll beat last years’ total for sure. It’s a bittersweet achievement. It’s more cats off the street but by the same token it’s more cats than the year before so the problem isn’t getting better,” Bly added. “It really takes a community that is willing and able to spay and neuter their cats. But finding vet care is difficult – low-cost clinics are overwhelmed and overworked leading to veterinarian shortages nationwide. There’s just a lack of appointment times available, which has impacted us, too, this year.
Bly added: "As of today, 162 felines need homes. That includes the 117 we have in the building and another 45 in foster care. That’s not including our wait list that we had to discontinue because we’ve received so many requests for surrenders. It’s heartbreaking that we have to turn so many people away but this is the worst season we’ve ever seen.”
Bly said the two biggest things the shelter needs right now are sponsors for its November auction and volunteers seven days a week.
"Auction sponsors can be businesses that want to print a business card in our program for $50 or donate goods and/or services that we use in our actual auction,” she said. “As for volunteers, with so many felines right now the more hands on deck we have each day, the quicker the cleaning process and the more time we can spend cuddling cats rather than meeting their basic needs."
Interested volunteers can fill out an online app at https://friendsofcompanionanimals.org/volunteer-application/ or in person at the shelter during normal business hours, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.
Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling is a contributor to The Monroe News.
Tickets are on sale for the ninth-annual “Critters Without Litters Silent Auction Dinner” to be held Nov. 19 at LaRoy’s Hall, 12375 S. Telegraph Road, LaSalle. Advanced tickets are $33 each or $220 for a table of eight. If tickets are still available at the door, they will be $40 each.
"If any business would like to help our auction this year, or if anyone would like info on how to get tickets to attend they can visit: http://friendsofcompanionanimals.org/auction,” said director Penny Bly. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year."