Description
Ferndale Cat Shelter Celebrates Purride Month with the Wedding of Kelso & Houdini
This June, love knows no species boundaries at the Ferndale Cat Shelter. Houdini, once feral, and Kelso, a gentle senior with a playful streak, have formed an unbreakable bond. In honor of Pride Month, the shelter is throwing them a wedding (meow-age) on June 21st from 6-9pm, at Catfé Lounge on Livernois where the two met. The celebration will feature live music, food, and of course, plenty of catnip.
“These two cats are in love,” says Deanne Iovan, executive director of the Ferndale Cat Shelter, who rescued both Houdini and Kelso. “They both struggled when they first came to us. Through each other they have learned to trust.”
Like many of the cats taken in by the Ferndale Cat Shelter, Houdini and Kelso have overcome fear and shyness after the death of their respective caregivers. Kelso and his brothers were found hiding inside a heating duct 3 years ago. He has also battled through health issues, having a mouth tumor removed in 2022. For several months, Houdini wouldn’t let any human come near him. With the patience and care of the shelter staff, he has learned to love human attention and now will take pets and love from visitors to Catfé Lounge. Through their losses, they have chosen each other, and are hoping to find a furr-ever home together after the wedding.
The event is a celebration of LGBTQ+ joy, chosen families, and the healing power of love — even in whiskered form. It also aims to spotlight the adoptable cats and kittens at the shelter, and show that rescue pets have deep, emotional lives that should be honored.
Guests can tune in via livestream on YouTube or Facebook, and local cat lovers are welcome to attend by purchasing a ticket for $20. In order to support local business, FCS has partnered with Premier Pet Supply. Donations are encouraged by calling any Premier Pet Supply to help support the ongoing care of Houdini, Kelso, and the feline residents of Catfé Lounge.
Catfé Lounge is a licensed shelter (MDARD) and is part of the Ferndale Cat Shelter, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization who have been saving cats and changing lives since 2014. In 10 years time, over 7000 cats and kittens have found loving homes. Donations and volunteers are paramount to their mission of “Saving the world, one cat at a time.”