Title: A Feline-Friendly Collaboration: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Supports Street Kitty Medical Fund

Introduction:

When it comes to showcasing our compassion, sometimes we need a little help to reveal our softer side. In an unexpected alliance, Show Your Soft Side (SYSS), a volunteer-based organization fighting against animal abuse, has found an unlikely collaborator in Tito’s Handmade Vodka. This national sponsorship aims to bolster the Street Kitty Medical Fund, a leading resource for street cats in Baltimore. Together, they strive to provide emergency medical and dental care for abandoned or homeless cats, who often suffer from various health conditions due to their time on the streets. With the annual costs exceeding $100,000 and rising, the $20,000 sponsorship from Tito’s Handmade Vodka has provided a significant boost to the cause.

Supporting the Street Kitty Medical Fund:

“This marks the first time a national company has supported the Medical Fund, which lessens the suffering of homeless cats, many of whom were likely former pets that were subsequently abandoned,” announces the press release. The Street Kitty Medical Fund has been a beacon of hope for felines in need since its launch in 2019, covering essential medical procedures for 1,416 cats and kittens, including emergency room visits, surgeries, dental procedures, and veterinary appointments. These vulnerable street cats face numerous health challenges, such as dental issues, malnutrition, respiratory infections, untreated wounds, and broken limbs and tails. Shockingly, veterinarians have even discovered pellets embedded in their bodies during emergency exams.

Sande Riesett, co-founder of Show Your Soft Side, acknowledges that street cats endure immense suffering. She explains, “We are incredibly grateful that Tito’s not only understands but is willing to help with what really is a community problem. Unlike years past, most of the kitties that come through our Medical Fund aren’t ferals but instead friendly cats who, through no fault of their own, are left to fend for themselves in the streets.”

Positive Outcomes and Changing Lives:

Starting in 2023, SYSS began tracking the outcomes of the cats that received services through the medical fund. The results were truly heartwarming. Riesett shares, “We were thrilled to learn that 65% of the cats assisted by the Street Kitty Fund were ultimately adopted or relocated to sanctuaries and barn homes rather than being returned to the streets. These cats just want to be loved, so the fund has not only saved their lives but changed them for the better.”

Tito’s Handmade Vodka: A Passion for Paws:

Beth Bellanti-Pander, the Vodka for Dog People Program Director at Tito’s Handmade Vodka, expresses their commitment to supporting all furry friends. “We’re honored to support Show Your Soft Side’s Street Kitty Medical Fund and bring national awareness to the well-being of abandoned cats. At Tito’s Handmade Vodka, we’re not just Vodka for Dog People; we’re passionate about supporting all our furry friends alike.”

The Purpose of Show Your Soft Side:

Originally, Show Your Soft Side served as a public service campaign to dispel the misconception that compassion towards animals is a sign of weakness. Today, as a registered 501c3 all-volunteer organization, SYSS utilizes its reach and resources to build a better world for animals and, in the process, create better adults. A recent “Softie Homecoming” event, attended by Baltimore celebrities who bonded with adoptable cats on their side, exemplifies the organization’s commitment to its cause.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between Show Your Soft Side and Tito’s Handmade Vodka highlights the vital importance of compassion and support in caring for vulnerable animals. By sponsoring the Street Kitty Medical Fund, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is making a significant impact on the lives of countless street cats in Baltimore. This partnership not only saves lives but also raises awareness and fosters a better future for abandoned felines. Together, let us acknowledge that empathy towards animals is a reflection of our strength and humanity.