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Local author donates portion of book sales to Warwick Valley Humane Society

| 03 May 2019 | 12:13
    The circa 1925 photo on the cover of "The Cat Men of Gotham" features a mother cat named Blackie and one of her kittens. The full story of Blackie and police officer James Cudmore is featured in the "Lucky Cats" chapter of the book.
    The circa 1925 photo on the cover of "The Cat Men of Gotham" features a mother cat named Blackie and one of her kittens. The full story of Blackie and police officer James Cudmore is featured in the "Lucky Cats" chapter of the book.

It's time for Gotham cats to help support Warwick cats.
Peggy Gavan, a long-time Warwick resident and author of the new book, "The Cat Men of Gotham: Tales of Feline Friendship in Old New York" (Rutgers University Press, May 2019), is partnering with several local Warwick businesses to help raise money for the Warwick Valley Humane Society's new animal shelter.
Participating businesses
For every autographed, hardcover book sold in Warwick, Gavan will donate a portion of the proceeds to the shelter for its capital campaign.
Participating businesses currently include Frazzelberries, Capelli Salon Spa Boutique, Newhard's, Style Counsel and Warwick Valley Veterinary Hospital.
"The Cat Men of Gotham," explained Gavan, "explores the history of Old New York through true and amazing stories about heroic policemen, firemen, sailors and other men who rescued stray cats off the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn and welcomed them into their homes and hearts. Among the 42 profiles are many feline Cinderella stories, as humble alley cats achieved renown as sports team mascots, artists' muses, and even presidential pets."
$1.5 million capital campaign
The Warwick Valley Humane Society recently launched a capital campaign to raise funds needed to build a $1.5 million state-of-the-art animal shelter.
The proposed project will enable the Humane Society to address and remedy years of severe overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure as well as create extra isolation kennels.
"I am very excited to be helping the shelter reach its goal through my book sales, even if it's only a minor contribution," said Gavan. "I love all animals, but naturally I have a special place in my heart for the shelter cats, so my wish is for all the rescued kitties to have the best care possible."
The Humane Society hopes to supplement a $500,000 grant from the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund Grant program through a combination of donations, event revenue, and grant awards.
"We are so delighted that Peggy Gavan has offered to shine a light on our homeless cats with her offer to donate a portion of her book sales to our organization," said Suzyn Barron, president of the Warwick Valley Humane Society.
Upcoming events
Barron added that the Humane Society has some upcoming fund-raising events, including the second partnering with Winslow Therapeutic Center for "Sunset at Winslow," on Saturday, June 15, in addition to the "Fore the Animals" Golf Outing on May 6 at Mansion Ridge Golf Course and the "Woofstock" Battle of the Bands hosted by WTBQ radio at the Warwick Town Park on June 8.
Essentials
For upcoming events information go to wvhumane@yahoo.com.
For more information about Gotham Cats for Warwick Cats or to participate in this fund raiser, contact Peggy Gavan at pgavan@optonline.net.