Reprinted with permission:

CONTACT: Robin Olson, 203-744-9CAT (9228) or info@kittenassociates.com
NEWS – For Immediate Release

“Kitties For Kids” Program Offers Warm Fuzzies to Return Smiles
to Faces of Area Children in Tragedy’s Wake

Sandy Hook, Conn. – Kitten Associates, “The New Breed of Cat Rescue,” is a home foster-based cat rescue group located in Sandy Hook, Conn. To counter the recent tragedy in their town, Kitten Associates is opening their doors, by appointment only, to residents in their community of Newtown, and especially in Sandy Hook, from Dec. 19 through Jan. 31.

“We know the healing power that time spent petting a cat or watching kittens play with a toy can bring to a child, his or her parents, and even first responders and other adults who feel emotionally overwhelmed,” says Kitten Associates founder, president and award-winning pet blogger, Robin A.F. Olson. “Because animals have no hidden agendas and kittens aren’t threatening, it’s a special kind of healing you just can’t experience any other way.”

Each kitten visit will last for 30 minutes, with the ability to request longer periods or repeat visits. To ensure the safety of both children and the cats, Kitten Associates can only allow children over the age of 4 to meet their foster cats and kittens, and they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

After children visit with the kittens, and for younger kids 2-4 who can’t visit the live kitties, the organization will be giving each child a free plush kitty. Those particularly affected will receive a K.T. Cat, a super-soft, cuddly play and sleep mate designed to help children express their feelings. The plush will remind them of the comfort of the real animals.

“Kitties For Kids is a way for us to give back and say thank you to the people of Newtown for letting us be a part of this wonderful community,” says the group’s vice president, Sam Moore. “We believe the plush kitties and K.T. Cats will be a small but lasting source of comfort in the weeks and months to come for these kids.”

“Though our mission is rescuing cats and kittens and placing them into loving homes, right now we’re also here to help rescue childhood innocence and put smiles back on the faces of children in our area,” Olson explains. “We hope in this small way, we can do that.”

For more information about the Kitten Associates, a nonprofit organization, visit their website at kittenassociates.org. To set up a visit, request a free plush for your child, or to donate to the plush kitten purchase fund, interested parties should email Kitten Associates at info@kittenassociates.org or call 203-744-9CAT (9228). To learn more about K.T. Cat plush toys, visit http://www.ustimefun.com/kt-cat/.