I think I’m very close to becoming one of those women I swore I’d never become. I used to have a sunroom in my home. Then I got the bright idea to make it the place my dogs stay when I’m not home. OK — that’s not a bad thing. Well, now it’s taken on a whole new look.

I decided in a moment of weakness that I had to help get cats out of the shelter. I could do that, I told myself, because I have a sunroom. So I worked out this little deal with the Madison County Humane Society. I’d pull cats out of the shelter, they would then go to Dr. Jeff and Claudia Smith’s home to be checked and declared healthy, then to Broadway Veterinary Clinic for veterinary care, then to me to foster. As cats are adopted out of the Humane Society the society in turn takes the cats I have removed from the shelter for adoption and in the meantime I will adopt the cats to loving homes as well. As the cats are adopted then it’s back to the shelter to get more to replace the ones taken. It will be never ending. These cats we are removing are all being spayed/neutered, vaccinated, wormed and tested feline leukemia and FIV negative.

I ordered a hot pink cat tower, which somehow helped with the anxiety of what I was about to do. Hot pink, fun, care free. Uh huh — I also set up two large wire dog crates on top of each other. Every time I walk in the “sunroom” all these little eyes track my every move. Spooky. I pet and baby talk each cat individually while the others glare at me. I explain to them how lucky they are. I think somewhere in their catty feline brains they know it.

One of the little guys is a monster. He’s gray and looks like just the sweetest little thing; he has a cute little bell collar. He growls and hisses every time I come near him, or if I even look like I’m going to come near him. He swipes at me as I walk by with his 10-inch razor-sharp claws. But when I stick my head in his kennel he rubs and butts my head with his head and body. In his mind he’s not really giving into affection since he’s hissing like a tea kettle while he does it. Yes, I’m a little leery of him. Makes little Lucy jumping on my head seem like a love tap.

Then there’s the full-grown gray male who was so depressed in the shelter he wouldn’t raise his head. His fur is brittle and his bones stick out. Also, his front leg has been broken, wasn’t cared for so it’s deformed. He broke my heart; of course, HE had to come. The first time he came to me and rubbed his head on my hand made me really understand why I took this little project on.

So — my sunroom has become Maleah’s Cat Room. No, it is not in the double digits. I’m not that crazy. And yes, these cats are up for adoption, either from me directly or later through the Madison County Humane Society. If you adopt from the Animal Protection League I am asking for a donation of $60, which gives you a cat that has been spayed/neutered, vaccinated, wormed and is feline leukemia/FIV negative. What a deal! This is simply repaying the money we’ve spent for medical care and will allow us to do the same for another cat. You really are saving a life when you adopt a shelter animal. This is my way to help. Thank God, I have sense enough to know I can’t take any dogs. Of course, we’re pulling them out as well, but those go to my friends when I can talk them into it. They are questioning their own sanity.

If you are a cat lover and want to help fund this project, send a donation to: Animal Protection League P.O. Box 2242, Anderson IN 46018. Mark it in the memo section: For Cats. And yes, I need help. The donations will be used to buy food, litter and veterinary care. But what we need most of all is for people to adopt these lovely cats who have been cast off like garbage. If you want to adopt one of these animals, call (765) 278-9435 or e-mail maleahstringer@aol.com.

In the last three weeks the local groups: Animal Protection League has pulled and provided medical care for 19 animals from the City Shelter. Countryside has pulled 12 at the last count, and HOPE three animals.

Good news! Seven cats have been adopted from the Cat Room and are now in happy homes. I’m on my second batch.

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News from the Madison County Humane Society:

In order to support about 100 dogs and cats, MCHS sells garbage bags. They are 3 ml thick, 33 gallons, and guaranteed. You can purchase one roll of 50 for $11 or two rolls for $21. Come purchase them at 2219 Crystal St. or call Pat at (765) 644-8201. See all the animals at www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN35.html. Also, please save your Purina weight circles and bring them to the Humane Society. They can use them to help feed the animals who have found a safe harbor at the Humane Society.

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Call (765) 278-9435 to adopt a Prison Greyhound. I have two left. Flo is a black and white female who is very shy but also very affectionate. Ice is a mostly small black female who is shy as well but loves to be loved. Visit www.indyprisongreyhounds.

(Maleah Stringer, president of the Animal Protection League, is an animal massage therapist specializing in esoteric healing. She can be reached at maleahstringer@aol.com.)