Clear Creek Cat Rescue receives financial support to aid overall efforts

WASILLA — Clear Creek Cat Rescue recently received a $7,500 grant from Petco Love to support general operations and help the grassroots operation help more local cats in need of a safe and secure home.

"It was pretty exciting," Clear Creek Cat Rescue board secretary Kelleigh Orthmann said. "Especially with inflation being the way it's been, It was a really nice shot in the arm to get that."

According to Orthmann, Petco Love is their biggest supporter, and the funds they raise help in various ways, including efforts to assist local families maintain their cats and avoid surrendering them due to financial strain. She said that Petco customers have the option to support their cause when they're visiting any of the Alaskan stores. She said every little bit of support helps.

"You're giving these cats a new lease on life," Orthmann said.

Clear Creek Cat Rescue rescues an average of about 500 cats per year, according to Orthmann. She said they typically find a home for at least half of those cats within the same year.

Orthmann said they specialize in rescuing cats that are feral, older, and those with medical needs. She said they have a barn cat placement program for feral cats that cannot be placed in regular homes and find secure alternatives at various local farms. She noted that some cats end up staying at foster homes indefinitely due to medical demands that most households cannot afford due to Alaska's costly veterinary fees.

"We try to look for those cats that are in the most danger of not making and we try to figure out a way to get them a home," Orthmann said.

Clear Creek Cat Rescue was established over a decade ago by former Talkeetna resident Judy Price. Orthmann said that Price set out to cover the gap missing between other local cat rescue operations by focusing on cats that are least likely to be adopted. She said that Price has since moved to Homer and actively coordinates rescue efforts on a regular basis.

Clear Creek Cat Rescue currently has over 30 foster families in the South Central area. Volunteers regularly post listings for rescued cats on the official website and Facebook page. They also hold adoption fairs at Petco locations in areas such as Anchorage and Soldotna. Orthmann said all the effort is worth it knowing that they can help give at-risk cats get a second chance.

*I think that every cat we get a good home for is very rewarding. It's just a one life at a time kind of thing,"

Orthmann said that accepting a cat into a home can be very therapeutic for the owners.

"They're such a huge stress reliever for me and a lot of people," Orthmann said.

Looking forward, Orthmann said they aim to continue raising more funds to expand their overall operation to reach more cats in need. She said they rely on community support to move forward with their efforts.

"The more funds we have the more cats er can help," Orthmann said.

For more information, visit clearcreekcatrescue.org

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com