FORT WALTON BEACH — Peter Ballard winced as Jeraco’s needle-like claws dug into his skin. The tiny gray bob-tailed kitten clambered out of his hands and onto his shoulder.
Jeraco paused as she thought about her next move.
“Grab her!” the 10-year-old called to his mom.
All over the Save Our Cats and Kittens (SOCKS) shelter on Carmel Drive, people were meeting potential pets or getting some cat playtime Saturday afternoon at the Kitten Extravaganza.
See photos of some of the kittens in this gallery. >>
The event offered reduced adoption prices, a sale at the SOCKS thrift store and other benefits and activities for those who came.
In May, SOCKS reached out to its supporters and the community for help after reaching a financial crisis, said Lisa Bradley, acting manager at the shelter.
Donations flooded in, and the shelter is trying to host more fundraisers and adoption events like Kitten Extravaganza
The no-kill shelter depends on donations, revenue from the thrift store and volunteers to keep it running.
SOCKS cares for 100 to 120 cats and kittens at a time in about six rooms where most of them roam free.
“Seven if you count the hallway,” Bradley said with a laugh. “We have cats there, too.”
SOCKS has slowly scaled down the number of cats its keeps at the shelter at any one time, Bradley said.
Although it is getting more cats, it’s also finding them homes a lot faster. Bradley attributes that to the lower population — people get more time to meet their pet.
Cats of all breeds, temperaments, ages and needs stay at the shelter while they wait for their “forever home.”
“They’re all adoptable if you find the right person,” Bradley said.