Witty Kitties, The Video A brief history and tour Produced by Sam Skvor, Marion, IA
Founded in 2000, Witty Kitties is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide quality care and shelter to cats with special medical needs, including FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), FeLV (feline leukemia virus), and congenital deformities such as blindness, deafness, and neurological disorders.
Some of our cats came to us from farms and rural acreages in the area. Had they been left on their own, they likely would have suffered and died without proper medical attention. They also may have transmitted diseases to other cats in the area. Others came from local municipal and private shelters that do not have the funds or staff to provide appropriate medical care. Unfortunately, some shelters still consider special needs animals "unadoptable" and simply would have euthanized them.
The shelter itself is located in rural Solon, Iowa, (about two miles from the town of Shueyville) and serves Johnson County and the surrounding areas. It consists of large, separate rooms for FIV kitties, FeLV kitties, and those with other problems. The kitties all roam free in large rooms that have big windows, soft, comfortable furniture for hanging out, and nooks and hideouts for the shy ones. Each room has a kitty door to a large, fenced outdoor area with tree trunks for climbing and various perches for snoozing. There is a large central work area for volunteers, as well as a laundry/food prep room.
The reptiles are housed in a separate building that is heated to 85 degrees in the winter months. During the summer, the gators, caimans, and iguanas stay in outdoor areas.
Board of Directors
Jenni Doll, DVM, President
Torben Platt, the Reptile Guy
Kathleen Schoon, Volunteer Coordinator
Amy Holcomb, Facebook Manager
John McLaughlin, Infrastructure
Trish Wasek, Webmaster
Maggy Haslett-Tomova, Llama Poop Scooper
Our Services
Provide shelter for cats with chronic medical conditions
Collaborate with local humane organizations in rescue work and low cost spay/neuter services
Provide rescue, care, and appropriate housing for a variety of reptiles
Conduct educational programs for community organizations regarding proper care of companion animals