Rockne Roll##Jesse Smith of Legacy Painting and Restoration cuts through a section of old roof during work to rebuild the Homeward Bound Pets cat house on Thursday. The nonprofit is raising funds to pay for the repairs.

Cats need a new roof

Bindi Sue, Patches, Boots, Holly and dozens of other felines are sharing a single cattery these days while they wait for completion of a dry rot repair and roof replacement project on the Homeward Bound Pets’ structure housing the agency’s other cattery.

But rather than hissing and spitting over territory, the cats are spending their time helping the nonprofit shelter raise money to pay for the work. Several — including Holly and Patches — are featured in a video on a crowdfunding website appealing for $17,000 in donations.

The original cat shelter, which volunteers call the “main” cattery, was due for re-roofing. And Homeward Bound had saved $4,000 to cover the tab.

“We usually don’t start a project until we have the money,” explained Dawn Witt, executive director of the no-kill operation.

But when a roofer climbed up to start the job, he found the underlying plywood “mushy.” Investigation showed dry rot had not only infiltrated the underlayment, but also the supporting timbers and even wall studs below.

Recycled, donated and discounted material served to hold costs down, as did discounted labor, but the work still will run $25,000. A donor agreed to match the $4,000 the agency had on hand, leaving $17,000. And the bill comes due when the work is completed, expected by the end of the month.

When their quarters are rendered ship-shape again, 40 cats are slated to move back into the main building. For the time being, they are making do in Hope House, where they share space with rowdy kittens.

To encourage donations, Homeward Bound volunteer Sharon Fenwick created a video featuring Holly, Patches and a cadre of human volunteers. It shows what’s being done to bring the main building back into usable shape as well.

The video can be seen, and donations made, at the Generosity.com website. The UFL is www.generosity.com/animal-pet-fundraising/homeward-bound-pets-adoption-shelter-repairs.

Donations also can be made on the Homeward Bound website, found at www.hbpets.org; at the shelter, 10601 S.E. Loop Road in McMinnville; or at the Homeward Bound Pets Thrift Store, next to J&W Carstar Collision Repair on Lafayette Avenue.

In addition to the cattery project, Homeward Bound is always seeking gifts of cash, feed or supplies for ongoing operations.

To that end, it has a “Pints for Paws” fundraiser scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, at Golden Valley Brewery & Restaurant. The restaurant will donate $1 for every pint of beer purchased between 4 and 6 p.m.

Homeward Bound found permanent homes for 361 cats and 118 dogs in 2015. The nonprofit also offers low-cost spaying and neutering services, and other kinds of services for animals.

For more information, call Witt at 971-237-1604.