Cat Stray Shun raises money to help cats in Belmont County | News, sports, jobs

TL Photo/GAGE VOTA Candace Fleagane, founder of Belmont County Stray Shun, hosts a fundraiser at the Belmont County Courthouse and sells crafts and baked goods.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Cat Stray Shun of Belmont County hosted a fundraiser at the Belmont County Courthouse Thursday morning.

The fundraiser was a craft and bake sale with all proceeds benefiting the spaying and neutering of cats at the Belmont County Animal Shelter.

Belmont County Stray Shun founder Candace Fleagane said events like this give her the resources she needs for the cats since Belmont County only cares for dogs. She has an agreement with county commissioners that puts her in charge of the cats’ vet bills. She added that the event was a success, stating that 100 cookies and several boxes of crafts and Christmas decorations were sold.

“It’s all voluntary, but I’ve always helped at the animal shelter” Fleagane said. “I used to own a business, but now I’m retired, so I just do this and it makes me feel good.”

The organization doesn’t just work with stray cats. It also helps low-income families who own cats. The organization will spay and neuter cats from low-income families as its goal is to reduce the stray cat population in Belmont County.

“It’s terrible. “We find a house for one cat and 10 more are born somewhere else because people don’t spay and neuter for one reason or another.” Fleagane said.

She added that she believes residents don’t get their cats spayed and neutered because they can’t afford it.

“One of the main reasons they don’t get neutered is because it costs too much. That’s why we try to provide it to them at low cost and even help them pay if they can’t afford it,” She said about cat owners.

To contact Belmont County Cat Stray Shun for information about how it can help provide services for your cat, Fleagane recommends contacting either the organization or her personal account on Facebook. You can also call the Belmont County Animal Shelter at 740-695-4708. She added that she also attends several of the shelter’s events.

One of the events that both the Belmont County Animal Shelter and Cat Stray Shun participate in is the “Cutest Pet” contest on Saturday. The competition will take place at 11 a.m. on Center Court at the Ohio Valley Mall and has an entry fee of $10. To register, call Fleagane at 740-338-9339. Contest categories include Best Costume, Best Trick, Cutest Overall and several other categories.

Another event that both organizations will take part in is “Pack the truck” on October 24th. The event will be held in the St. Clairsville Lowe’s parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The goal is for residents to donate dog and cat food, toys, treats, paper towels, toilet paper, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, hand towels, rags, cat litter and cleaning supplies for the animals in the shelter.

Wood Fired Pizza Co. will be on site selling food, while crafts and dog coats will be for sale to benefit the Belmont County Animal Shelter.

Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox