Three-year old Riley is outgoing, dark haired and friendly, who comes when his name is called and loves being around people.  While he is not the most handsome of kitties, he has a very special soul that makes him more like a dog than a cat.  Two years ago, he was abandoned by his family on a foreclosure, and he is feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive, but healthy. 

Two weeks ago, the Fat Kitty City Animal Sanctuary--the only no-kill animal sanctuary in Northern California and located in El Dorado Hills—welcomed Riley to its spacious enclosure which allows animals to go indoors and outdoors, as they wish, and to be placed in an environment similar to what their new “forever home” will be like, when they are adopted. Riley is one of over 2,000 animals that the Fat Kitty City and the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. has helped—through shelter, spaying and neutering, and care—since 1999. 

In a typical animal shelter, Riley would have likely been euthanized due to his FIV diagnosis. Fat Kitty City Animal Sanctuary—which operates under the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc.--is able to provide Riley food, safety and shelter on a twenty acre, tree-studded natural environment while locating a forever family to adopt Riley. 

While the property improvements were initially funded by grants and the organization’s founders, the ongoing funding necessary for food, care, and boarding the animals—comprised mostly of cats and a few dogs—is dwindling, and the Fat Kitty Animal Sanctuary is hosting its first fundraiser since opening its doors in 2003.  “We need to raise at least $10,000 to continue to provide the food, care and shelter to the many animals that arrive to us each year,” said Cindy Minghelli, president of the Agee Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc.

The fundraising event will be held on July 19, 2015 from 2-7 p.m., and animal lovers can relax or dance the day away, enjoy live local music, drink award-winning wines, and participate in a raffle and silent auction at the Crystal Basin Cellars located at 3550 Carson Road in Camino, while supporting unwanted local cats and dogs. 

For $25 per person, attendees have their choice of delicious entrée and beverage, and all proceeds go to spay and neutering, or providing space for hundreds of animals. Last year, over 500 animals came to Fat Kitty City through unexpected or hopeless situations.  Children 12 and under are admitted for free, and can enjoy games and face painting. 

For more information, please visit fatkittycity.org/wine/.

Post information courtesy of Fat Kitty City.