An overload of cuteness caused by cuddles from kittens kept Pebble Springs Retirement Community residents entertained for an afternoon.
The Lady Lake facility that provides assisted living, independent living and memory care partnered with the Leesburg Humane Society last month to provide four furry and friendly kittens to play with residents.
Deb Babcock, lifestyle director for the facility, said the goal of the simple event was to bring joy to residents.
“I love seeing all the smiles,” she said. “This is a good event to host after Christmas when it’s kind of a ‘bleh’ day. People’s families are leaving and there isn’t much to do. This keeps them engaged.”
Jeremey, Jessie, Milo and Hippie — each around 3 to 4 months old — were heard purring or seen sitting in someone’s arms as they were passed around among the residents for cuddles and kisses.
Sonya Smith, a volunteer with the Leesburg Humane Society, said seeing the residents enjoy the kittens is the best part of the experience.
“The event is something out of their normal day that makes them feel good,” Smith said. “The animals are so calm and loving.”
Babcock said she knew the event would be successful because a lot of residents of the facility own animals like cats and dogs.
Joanne Humphrey and her cat Lucy had nine wonderful years, some of them at Pebble Springs. Humphrey said Lucy understood her by reading her body language.
“I love cats,” Humphrey said. “In my married years, I probably had 40 or 50 cats over the years. I love their cute and cuddly little innocent faces. But sometimes they are not so innocent and you can see that too. Cats are very loyal and they are with you always.”
Waiting for the arrival of the afternoon’s special guests, residents filled the room and started conversations about cats.
Exchanging memories of the fun they had with the furry friends they used to own, residents discussed and debated topics including owning an indoor versus an outdoor cat, putting a leash on a cat or not, walking your cat and owning a cat versus owning a kitten.
Shirley Bishop said she decided to join the event because she just wanted to see the cats.
“They are playful, very playful,” Bishop said. “My daughter has five kittens that she has fostered or taken in, but she lives in Ohio.”
Though some event participants enjoyed cats of all age, other residents, like Loretta Instace, only came because they were kittens.
“I like kittens, not cats. Kittens are cute because they are babies,” Instace said.
Despite being dog owners, Barb Restifo and Vicki Dawson were excited to see and hold the cats.
“I’ve never had a kitten because I used to think I was allergic to cats,” Restifo said. “I wanted to play with (this one) because he’s all black and the complete opposite of my little dog that is all white.”
Dawson, who owns a dog named Sadie, said participating in the event was a fun time and she would do it again.
“The kitten was so soft and fluffy,” Dawson said.
Jana Brennan made the best of the experience by holding and enjoying cuddles from Milo.
“I used to live in The Villages and I had a cat that lived with me there. I miss her,” she said. “I’ve had cats for a long, long time and they are minimal care. The most I’ve had is five at a time. (The cats from the Humane Society) are so adorable and I had a good time playing with them.”
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
