Sunday is all about the cats.
That's when Casa de los Gatos, a local rescue organization, will have an open house at all four of its cat sanctuaries from 2 to 6 p.m.
The organization wants to show off — and find homes for — some of its hundreds of cats and kittens. This year, Casa de los Gatos has taken in 127 cats and 323 kittens, either from the Pima Animal Care Center or as strays, volunteer Chris Kuras said.
During August, Casa de los Gatos is offering an El Tour de Gatos discount of $25 off its regular adoption fee for one cat or kitten, or $75 off for two. The regular adoption fee is $99, which includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, testing for feline leukemia and FIV, and an exam at participating veterinary clinics.
The organization also needs donations of cat supplies, such as litter, treats, dry or canned food, beds, towels, cleaning supplies and paper towels.
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Sunday's event is being held at Casa de los Gatos' original site at 3131 N. Chapel Ave.; 10700 E. Tanque Verde Road; and 3255 and 3261 N. Flanwill Blvd.
Tables outside the sanctuaries will sell baked goods, drinks, art, crafts and jewelry.
Casa de los Gatos was founded in 2005 in Missouri and first functioned as a sanctuary for special-needs cats. In 2006, the organization was relocated to Tucson when founder Beth Montes moved here.
The organization then expanded to accommodate all cats — including orphaned newborns, abandoned geriatric cats, those at risk of euthanasia at the Pima Animal Care Center and cats displaced during Hurricane Katrina.
A foster program was initiated so people could care for cats awaiting adoption. In fall 2006, the organization bought and renovated a cage-free sanctuary.
It has since partnered with Petco, where its cats and kittens can meet potential adopters at several sites.
Go online to www. CasaDeLosGatos.org or call 881-0900 for more information.
By the numbers
• Nearly 600 cats and kittens are in Casa de los Gatos' care.
• About 50 volunteers help with the organization.
• About 120 cats are living in the main sanctuary on Chapel Avenue, and 170 are at the secondary ones on Flanwill Boulevard, one of which houses about 50 special-needs cats that have tested positive for feline leukemia or FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).
• Close to 300 cats and kittens are living with foster families.
• About 400 to 500 cats and kittens are adopted each year.
• Casa de los Gatos has helped almost 2,000 cats during its first two years in Tucson and is currently the largest no-kill feline rescue organization in Arizona.
• The location at 10700 E. Tanque Verde Road soon will be the organization's newest sanctuary, with an open house scheduled for Oct. 3.
