Samantha MacIntyre cares about the feral cat population, so she founded Precious Paws Community Cats in the summer of 2021 after becoming involved with Trap Neuter Return (TNR) efforts in Manheim. She built a following of supporters, created a Facebook group to help a colony of roughly 100 cats and networked with other local volunteers who inspired her. As the group grew, she began assisting and networking with people in Lancaster, Lebanon, York and Dauphin counties. Now Precious Paws is looking to expand even more.

The organization will host Paws Up for the Cat Barn, a fundraiser to support the next phases of the construction of a cat barn in northern Manheim to better serve the group's mission. Paws Up for the Cat Barn will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mount Gretna Fire Company, 41 Boulevard Ave., Mount Gretna.

"We are hosting an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring hors d'oeuvres, entrees, sides, desserts and beverages," said Kathy Ann Kramer, treasurer of Precious Paws, noting that the food will be prepared by Food for Thought Catering. Before and during dinner, Sheila Sabol will provide live piano music.

"After dinner, a short video will be shown highlighting our mission, the progress on the cat barn construction and our daily operations," Kramer shared. The event will also include giveaways, a silent auction and door prizes.

"Our goal for the cat barn fundraiser is $10,000, which will cover the next steps of the construction," MacIntyre said. "We understand that we cannot do this alone; it truly takes a village. We deeply value our community and their support. Their generosity and compassion for these cats means the world to us and goes beyond words." Once completed, the cat barn will help the nonprofit organization assist more cats and bring on more volunteers in a safe working environment. It will facilitate pre- and post-surgery care, provide a nurturing space for sick cats to recuperate and offer secure storage for essential supplies.

Everyone should be concerned about feral cats, MacIntyre said. "Community members should prioritize feral cats because managing their populations enhances community health, animal welfare and environmental balance," she explained. "TNR programs reduce disease spread, enhance the quality of life for feral cats and prevent overpopulation."

Noting that one unneutered female cat can potentially produce more than 100 kittens in her lifetime, MacIntyre said controlling the feral cat population can have benefits beyond the numbers.

"Addressing feral cat issues also fosters community harmony and strengthens human-animal bonds," she shared. "Overall, caring for feral cats promotes a healthier and more compassionate community."

Kramer hopes to see a large crowd at Paws Up for the Cat Barn. "We invite everyone to support their community, particularly our TNR program and our goal to expand our operations to help more cats," she said. "This event is an opportunity to meet fellow cat lovers in person and connect Facebook names to faces. Additionally, we want to give back to the community that has supported us, celebrate our progress and embrace the journey ahead."

Seating is limited for the fundraiser. To purchase tickets, search for "Paws Up for the Cat Barn" on Facebook or visit https://tinyurl.com/y6kf3dyt. People who are unable to attend the event are encouraged to donate directly to Precious Paws. More information may be found at http://www.preciouspawscc.org.