Three years ago, Jennifer Grayston bought an old gas station at the corner of Jenny Lind Road and Dallas Street in Fort Smith with the dream of turning it into a cage-less cat shelter. This weekend, Jen's Kitty Rehab, which has been operating as a nonprofit on Facebook, will open to the public with a week of activities that include a silent auction, yoga, art, live music and movies. All with cats, of course.
Cat Rescue With Community Space Instead of Cages Opens in Fort Smith
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Jen's Kitty Rehab in Fort Smith will eventually shelter up to 30 cats in an open space where they can do what they please.
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The cats will go to a foster first to be vetted before they’re brought to the shelter.";
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The open space is stocked with cat towers, toys and plenty of places to hide.
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Founder Jennifer Grayston says the rescue has been a dream of hers for over 20 years.
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Grayston has been rescuing cats with a network of fosters since 2018 using the Jen's Kitty Rehab Facebook page.
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Opening week celebrations include a silent auction, yoga, art, live music and movies.
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After opening week, Grayston says the shelter will be open to visitors by appointment only.
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Grayston says the goal of the rescue facility is to create a comfortable space for both cats and people.
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The indoor and outdoor walls of the rescue are decorated with murals by both professional artists and children in the community.
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Grayston bought the former gas station in 2018 and has been renovating it ever since.
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The rescue has a backyard with a stage for live music and outdoor movies.
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