DEARBORN — The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, along with six local businesses, invite everyone to “cruise on in” to the first annual Kitty Klassic on Saturday, August 16. The Kitty Klassic Kruise is a unique attempt to solve a seasonal problem: the Dearborn Animal Shelter is bursting at the seams with over 240 cats and kittens. According to Elaine Greene, executive director of the Friends, “Kittens are growing up at the shelter and in their foster homes, and they need to find permanent parents. We decided if people can’t make it to the shelter, we would bring the cats to them.”

Kittens will be available for adoption at seven locations on August 16 from 11:00 until 3:00: PetSmart at 5650 Mercury Drive in Dearborn; Pet Needs Etc., 5664 N. Telegraph Rd. in Dearborn Heights; the Friends Training Center, located next to Pet Supplies Plus at 2621 S. Telegraph Rd. in Dearborn; SuperPetz, 34420 Ford Rd. in Westland; and, Petco, 23155 Outer Drive in Allen Park. “On August 16 we’re putting competition aside,” comments Petco assistant manager Pat Daly. “It’s all about finding homes for the animals.”

Each of the participating pet stores is donating a Kitty Klassic Kruise gift basket filled with feline supplies. Each potential adopter who fills out an adoption application will be eligible to win.

Kittens will also make an appearance at Ford Lanes, located at 23100 Van Born in Dearborn Heights. The popular bowling alley is hosting all-day activities to celebrate their 50th anniversary, including a parking lot bowling fund-raiser to benefit the Dearborn Animal Shelter. And, of course, kittens will be available for adoption all day at the Dearborn Animal Shelter Open House. The shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Rd.

“These are tough economic times,” says Kelle Sisung, Friends development director, “and we want to acknowledge that by making the drive short and the adoption fees reasonable.” As a further incentive, the Friends are reducing the price of adoptions: $45 for kittens under four months and $40 for kitties four months and older. The adoption package includes initial vaccinations, feline leukemia testing, worming, spaying or neutering, microchip ID, transport box, kitty cushion, and a training and card DVD. The package has an estimated value of over $250.

The reduced adoption fee is in effect now at the Dearborn Animal Shelter and will remain in place until the shelter cat population is reasonably reduced. Please visit the Friends’ Web site at www.dearborn-animals.com to view all of the adorable felines waiting for homes. You may also visit the shelter during its hours of operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 to 5:00; Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 7:00; Saturdays open 9:00 to 4:00.