Kittens, crafts and more expected for local rescue's vendor fair

May 2—Around 40 vendors will be pulling into Chestnut Ridge Church in Cheat Lake on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m-3 p.m. for Homeward Bound WV's Spring Arts, Crafts, and Vendor Fair.

"We have for many years now done a fall vendor fair but decided to do one in the spring at the request of a lot of our vendors, " said Jenny Robbins, Homeward Bound WV board of directors president.

The foster-based, non-profit cat rescue places rescued felines from Monongalia and Preston Counties with fosters who provide all the love and care needed until they are adopted.

"We support our fosters through the entire process, " Robbins said. "We provide a foster buddy to sort of guide them through from start to finish — finish would be adoption.

"We provide all of the supplies — food, litter, litter boxes, toys, bedding, all of that. We supply all of the medical a cat would need depending on the cat's age and what condition they come to us in, " she said.

Education is also part of Homeward Bound's mission with state-approved curriculum for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

"We have gone into schools from elementary up through middle school to talk about responsible pet ownership, spay /neuter programs, and we bring cats and kittens with us, " Robbins said.

At the event on Saturday, which is free to the public, Robbins said about 85 % of the vendors will be locally owned, handmade products from crafters and artisans in the area as well as four or five food trucks.

"Everything from homemade candles to tumblers to woodcarvings, tote bags ... there will certainly be something for everyone, " she said.

Homeward Bound WV will also be selling their famous "Eww People " t-shirts, which has been another successful way they raise funds.

Robbins said the organization receives two grants to help pay for free spays and neuters for families and animals in need in Mon and Preston Couties, but they still rely on fundraisers like the vendor fairs and community donations for their many expenses.

Monetary donations and items from their Amazon and Chewy.com wish lists are always appreciated, Robbins said, but you can also support their mission for free through the Kroger Community Rewards program.

By linking Homeward Bound WV to your Kroger card, Kroger will donate a percentage of the cost of groceries you are already buying to the group, which Robbins says really helps with the vet bills for some of their more sick and injured kitties.

Speaking of kitties, Robbins assured there would be plenty on site Saturday to cuddle and consider for adoption.

Outside of Saturday's vendor fair, Homeward Bound WV hosts adoption events at Petco in University Town Centre at least twice a month and also have cats that stay at Petco and PetWorks in Suncrest Towne Center throughout the week.

All of the cats available for adoption are posted on their website homewardboundwv.org and the Homeward Bound WV Facebook page.