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Giving Tuesday helps non-profits raise funds for enrichment projects

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – On the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Tuesday marked Giving Tuesday. It’s a day that encourages people to give back in whatever ways they can, especially to charities, and a local nonprofit is asking you to consider giving as they look to help injured cats not only recover, but find their forever homes.

At the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, cats like Adam are in for the long haul as they recover from injuries. Nicknamed ‘WUOs’ – or wounds of unknown origin – TJO is legally required to quarantine the animals for four months to ensure they haven’t contracted the rabies virus. While they do so they’re kept in one of the four areas called cat colonies. “As you can imagine, staying at the shelter for four months is very stressful, so we have to make sure that we’re not only providing medical care for these animals, but that we’re providing for their mental health as well,” said Heather Cahillane with the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.

The cat colonies give them the space to roam freely, choose their napping or hiding spots, play and socialize, and allow cats to be cats, all while helping them to recover both physically and, just as important, mentally. “So it helps them to maintain their sanity while they’re here in their hold,” Cahillane explained.

Western Mass News First Alert Meteorologist Janna Brown, who also volunteers at TJO, explained that the colonies are well loved and well used and it’s time to give them a complete makeover, which is where you come in. “So Giving Tuesday is a huge day for non-profits and there’s so many nonprofits across western Mass., so I know it’s difficult making a decision, but the Foundation for TJO Animals is really hoping to raise significant amounts of money to improve these cat colony rooms because they have been through the mill. They need significant upgrades. There’s a lot of things that are broken and falling apart in there,” Brown explained.

Specifically, TJO is hoping raise around $25,000 to fix those broken things, redo the walls and doors, enhance enrichment playscapes, and make life better for cats in our communities and, just as it takes time for these cats to heal and find their forever homes, Brown knows it might take some time to reach TJO’s fundraising goal because, after all, good things come to those who wait. “We’ll continue collecting donations for as long as we’re able to. This is going to be a project that’s going to last awhile, so if you find that in the next couple of weeks or months you really want to donate to this cause, you can absolutely do that by contacting the foundation,” she added.

You can CLICK HERE to donate to TJO on this Giving Tuesday.

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