Tree City Cats, a local nonprofit that allows stray cats to find homes, welcomed people to its annual “Study Buddy” event at Evelyn Dickerson Hair Design in Downtown Kent Sept. 13.

Sun in Leo, a local clothing shop, was also in collaboration for the event.

Tree City Cats have held adoption events in years past, with this “Study Buddy” event being the third to take place at Evelyn Dickerson Hair Design. The collaboration came about when a volunteer at Tree City Cats, who also works at the salon, offered to help with setting up adoption events.

Diane Geisler, the founder and president of Tree City Cats, and Rachel Jernigan, another founding member of the organization, were present at the event, assisting attendees with the kittens.

Geisler talked about the importance of getting cats adopted in Kent.

“The stray cat population in Kent is overwhelming, to say the least,” she said.

From the last adoption event Tree City Cats put on, they were able to place 10 cats in homes, and they hoped this event would have a similar outcome.

Taksch Dube, a Kent State computer science graduate student, heard about the event the day before while getting a haircut at the Evelyn Dickerson Hair Design studio.

Dube thinks events like these can help bridge the gap between cats and people.

“You get people more used to cats. I think a lot of people are scared of cats, sometimes. Also, some people are just on the fence like, ‘Oh, how am I going to have a cat?’” Dube said. “And then, once you make a connection, these kitties have homes.”

Another attendee, Sydney Berrier, a sophomore communication studies major, also brought up the importance of getting cats adopted.

“There’s so many cats that are on the streets,” she said. “So, people adopting them gets them off the street, gets them into homes and stops overpopulation of cats, so it’s really important that cats get adopted.”

Berrier revealed that going into the event, she wasn’t necessarily looking to adopt, but she formed a connection.

“When I saw Gracie and I held her, I was like, ‘This cat is meant to come home with me,’” Berrier said.

Geisler wants owners and potential owners of pets to know that they’re not alone.

“Don’t hesitate to reach out for help,” Geisler said. “We’re here to help support the community and eliminate the cat overpopulation and look out for the welfare of animals.”

Melora Shue is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].