The director, board members and volunteers at the mostly cageless Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary in Chester Township — none of whom are paid a salary — hope that people in the community will be generous to the sanctuary’s cats during this time of holiday cheer.

“Even though more than a year has passed since a devastating fire at Happy Tails, the financial challenges are still great,” said Jeanne Bones, the sanctuary’s founder and director.

“We are grateful to people in our community for their contributions that enabled us to keep the sanctuary functioning even during our darkest hours following the fire. Many of our resources are greatly depleted, however, so we hope the holiday season will inspire people to make donations to help us continue to provide heat in the buildings, cat food, kitty litter, and veterinary care.”

Since 1982, Happy Tails has provided food, shelter, and other care for many previously neglected, abandoned and abused cats.

Some of the cats are adoptable, but a number of them are not because of their ages, disabilities or temperaments.

Bones said some of the cats are feral or semi-feral and will not ever be suitable as house pets, so they will probably spend the rest of their lives at the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is a nonprofit, charitable organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Contributions can be sent to: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 581, Chesterland, OH 44026.

For more information about the sanctuary (which is currently filled to capacity and cannot take in any more cats), call 440-759-0076.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com