Area Girl Scout Builds Playground for Shelter Cats

Olivia Bednash, a Girl Scout from Towaco, knew she wanted to help animals when she began planning her Gold Award project. Last fall, she assembled a team to accomplish the $1,841 feat that took five weekends to complete.

Bednash finished her project in July after teaming up with Sue Goldblatt, the president of Montville Pet Parents, which works closely with the Montville Animal Shelter, who inspired her to create the outdoor cat playground. The structure is filled with climbing structures and perches, two cedar cat houses and a bench for prospective pet owners to sit and play with the cats.

The outdoor play area gives the shelter cats time out of their enclosure to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise and socialize with the other cats. The structure officially opened Monday at a ceremony in which Bednash thanked all those who supported and helped contribute to her project.

She will receive her Gold Award, an award that requires a leadership project of at least 8- hours, when she completes a volunteer handbook and final report to the Girl Scout Council.

As for the cats, they look to be having a blast:

Photos courtesy of Sue Goldblatt.