The Hancock County Humane Foundation has started operating a cat rescue at 3416 Pennsylvania Ave. in Weirton. The rescue officially will open Sunday with a "kitten shower" and adoption event from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — A group of residents who have worked for years to help animals in need have renewed their mission, and now will have a physical location to assist in their efforts.

The Hancock County Humane Foundation has announced the opening of a cat rescue, located at 3416 Pennsylvania Ave. in Weirton, which officially will open Sunday.

As part of the rescue’s opening, the Humane Foundation will hold a “kitten shower” and adoption event, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at its location.

“We’d like people to come and meet the cats,” said Tom Goff, foundation spokesperson.

The Humane Foundation was formed from the membership of the former Hancock County Animal Shelter Foundation

“We’re restarting from the original foundation,” Goff said. “We’re all volunteer based.”

As a cat rescue, the Humane Foundation works to aid local “community” cats while also better informing area residents about ways to address issues connected to feline colonies.

One of the programs offered by the foundation is a trap, neuter, release operation. Working with the Community Cats organization, the foundation volunteers catch local strays, get them either spayed or neutered, as well as vaccinated, then, once healed, release the cats to safe areas.

Those cats deemed able are made available for adoption at the rescue location or at PetSmart or Pet Supply Plus. Adoption events at the rescue usually will be held Sunday afternoons, along with activities such as cat yoga, coffee with cats and more.

Spay and Neuter clinics also are available, with six planned each year in partnership with Frankie’s Friends.

“We’re not a shelter,” Goff said. “We’re not a county organization.”

Goff said while the foundation’s services are focusing on cats, it will provide information for assisting dogs.

Donations to the foundation will assist with medical costs, food and other needs, and Goff said the foundation will only euthanize if it is gravely ill or injured.

For more information on the cat rescue or the Hancock County Humane Foundation, call (304) 224-2590, find them on Facebook, or go online to hancockhumane.org.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)