Kittens Thriving After Surgery

Four furry friends are healthy and looking for new homes, thanks to the generosity of area donors.

Candace Fleagane, director of Belmont County Cat Stray Shun, said a successful fundraiser in October at the Ohio Valley Mall helped four kittens that were rescued from a bad situation in Bellaire and in need of eye surgery.

"They had their surgery and we had enough donations from the public to pay for everything, and now they're available for adoption," Fleagane said. "People came to the mall. They came out of the woodwork."

She said the organization raised close to $3,000 by selling Christmas ornaments and was able to help more animals in need for a total of seven cats.

"I had enough money to do their eye surgery, and I had three other kitties that came in with upper respiratory. I had enough money to take care of that. It was just very helpful of the public," Fleagane said, adding that the cats also had ear and eye infections. "One of the cats had a heart murmur."

She will be holding another fundraiser at the mall from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 10. This past weekend, Fleagane was at Barnesville's "Christmas in the Ville" celebration with some of the cats.

Fleagane said expenses are a factor in caring for homeless cats and preparing them for adoption.

"Constant vet bills," she said. "This is every week. It's just constant. Our vet bills are at least $4,000 a month. ... Even when we don't have any special needs, we always have a constant load of cats and kittens to get spayed and neutered and get ready for adoption."

The four kittens -- Roxie, Paxton, Risa and Payton -- are now 10-12 weeks old and completely vetted, spayed and neutered.

They are featured on the Cat Stray Shun Facebook page and the Belmont County Animal Shelter page.