BEREA, Ohio — Eleven kittens at the Berea Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) shelter were looking for playmates. Eleven children at The Gathering Place were looking for closure.
The two groups connected at Kitten Camp.
The weeklong camp at the ARF shelter on East River Road was a joint effort with The Gathering Place, which offers support to families dealing with cancer.
Camp Director Whitney Hadley of The Gathering Place said each child in the group is experiencing a loved one in treatment for cancer or who has died from cancer.
Margaret makes friends with Oscar, who is up for adoption at Berea Animal Rescue Friends.Linda G. Kramer/City of Berea
The purpose of Kitten Camp was to help the kids emotionally heal.
“This is an opportunity to meet and learn with peers,” Hadley said.
Pat Brinks, the cat adoptions consultant for ARF, said each child was assigned a kitten for the week. The kittens were 12 weeks old — 10 from two …