Everybody loves a baby shower; a festive, colorful event in which folks most literally rain a bounty of fanciful—and useful—gifts on some precious, most fortunate little babies. And when the infants in question are furry and whiskered, well, all the better!
Sponsored by Hernando County Animal Services, The Operation Kindness Annual Kitten Shower will be celebrated Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Pet Supplies Plus, 13120 Cortez Blvd, Spring Hill.
Operation Kindness for Hernando County Animal Services, Inc. (www.OperationKindnessHCAS.org ) was formed by a small group of local animal advocates “to enhance the quality of life, increase adoptions and educate the public on behalf of the animals at Hernando County Animal Services.”
Operation Kindness is a nonprofit organization providing financial and in-kind support to HCAS to enhance the care of all animals in placement.
Items greatly needed by shelter kittens will be available for purchase at the shower, where kittens will be available for adoption! In addition, donors will receive an opportunity to participate in a raffle.
“We held our first Kitten Shower in 2017 and have held one annually ever since,” said Abby Evert, president of Operation Kindness. “Our first 2 events were at Pet Supermarket, the 3rd at HCAS, the 4th and 5th were held virtually due to Covid, and the 6th, 7th and this year’s at Pet Supplies Plus.”
Aside from being out and out adorable, the shower serves as a vital fund-raiser for an organization that helps so many animals
“The shower raises much needed support for hundreds of orphaned kittens coming into shelter care, many of which are then placed into foster care,” said Evert.
Guests are welcome to purchase items listed on a wish list specially prepared for the purposes of this event.
“The Wish List provides needed supplies both in-house and to the foster parents,” said Evert.
Evert expresses great appreciation for the valued community partners who, year in and year out, make the Kitten Shower possible.
“We’re holding the event at Pet Supplies Plus in their Community Room. HCAS, and in turn OK, have a strong partnership with PSP. When PSP owners John and Sharon Hayek opened their store in 2021, they built a beautiful free-roaming cattery to house and adopt out shelter cats and kittens,” said Evert. “To date they have adopted more than 600 HCAS kitties, which is truly amazing! This is a very warm and inviting environment for adopters to come meet the kittens. There’s more of a party atmosphere with a lot of excitement over these fluffy little bundles of joy.”
Aside from the opportunity to give en masse to animals in need, guests at the kitten shower can themselves reap many benefits—and even more kittens!
“Not only will we have kittens available for adoption, we will have a few raffle baskets and the opportunity for participants to donate one of the many items needed on our Wish List,” said Evert. “PSP will have the items available for purchase prior to and during the event. This year we’ll also be holding a 50/50.”
Kitten Shower Wish List 2024:
Small, Open Kitten Litter Boxes
Clay Litter – Non-Clumping
Canned Pate' Kitten Food
Dry Kitten Chow
Small Kitten Food/Water Bowls
KMR Powder
Pet Nursing Bottles and/or Syringes with Nipples
Miracle Nipples
Pet Microwave Heating Pads
Kitten Shampoo
Kitten Nail Clippers
Kitten Flea Combs
Kitten Toys
Disposable Pee-Pee Pads (22”x22”)
Disposable Latex Gloves (M-L)
