'Giving Tree' Supports Kitties In Need In Contra Costa

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – Community Concern for Cats, a 32-year-old feline rescue organization in Contra Costa County, is hosting its annual "Giving Tree" fundraiser this holiday season at its Walnut Creek shop to help support its area cat hospital.

Through Dec. 31, residents can visit the Rescued Treasures thrift shop, at 1270 Newell Ave. in the San Miguel Shopping Center in Walnut Creek, and purchase ornaments at various donation amounts to hang on the "Giving Tree," which is in the shop window.

Funds raised will support the group's feline medical facility in Clayton, which provides spaying and neutering procedures, along with routine and emergency medical treatment and surgeries for injured and ill street cats.

“Our goal is to raise $4,000 to buy a practice-management software program for high volume spay and neuter clinics, which would control scheduling, billing, drug reports, etc. as well as to replace aging surgical and dental instruments that wear down with use,” said Gemma Osendorf Boyd, Community Concern for Cats president.

So far this year, the organization has treated 2,700 felines and found homes for 400 cats and kittens. At its clinic, open four days a week, 25 to 30 spay/neuter surgeries are performed per day, and the group plans to expand to a fifth day when fundraising goals are met, Boyd said.

Donors also can contribute by clicking on its web site communityconcernforcats.org and following the “Giving Tree” story to the donation button.

The nonprofit also operates adoption sites from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at Petco in Walnut Creek and at Pet Food Express in Lafayette and Pleasant Hill.

--Main image via D'Ann White, Patch/ Community Concern for Cats artwork designed by Ally McKay, a student at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek