Local rescue group hopes to find purrfect homes for cats

Ava NORTH BRUNSWICK — Coming off the heels of a successful dog adoption event, Sammy’s Hope and Muscle Maker Grill will team up for a Home for the Holidays Cat Adoption Day on Dec. 17.

Sammy’s Hope is a 501(c)3 animal rescue group that finds forever homes for shelter animals in conjunction with the Edison Animal Shelter.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., cats will be viewable at the North Brunswick restaurant, located at 540 Milltown Road.

If someone is interested in adopting, they can fill out an application on-site. If approved, they will be able to take the cat home with them that day, pending an application fee.

In addition, Muscle Maker Grill will donate $1 for each wrap, salad or entrée purchased with a flier to Sammy’s Hope. The flier is available at www.sammyshope.org.

Mercedes All proceeds will help pay for medical care for the many dogs and cats cared for by Sammy’s Hope.

The cat adoption event comes after an initial dog adoption day that was held Oct. 29. Joan Cenicola, of Sammy’s Hope, is a customer of Muscle Maker Grill (MMG), and since the rescue group typically works with large, athletic breeds, she decided MMG would be the perfect location for the Muscle Mutts adoption program. MMG owner Ron Arora, who always wanted to participate in animal rescue, agreed.

“The Muscle Mutts event … was a success despite the snowstorm in October. People braved the severe weather conditions, including Mayor [Francis “Mac”] Womack, a dog got adopted, and we raised some money. For this we are very grateful,” Cenicola said. “Very importantly also is we raised awareness and promoted ‘adopt versus shop’ while featuring the many dogs that are waiting for forever homes.”

Muscle Maker helped raise almost $200 for Sammy’s Hope.

“With the success of the dog event, Sammy’s Hope came back asking if I can help raise funds for the cats too, and I immediately agreed, as I love pets and will do anything to help raise funds for the good cause,” Arora said.

For more information, visit www.sammyshope.org or email Joan@sammyshope.org.