Our Story
How it began:
The Cat Pack began in 2009 with inspiration from a cat named Switch, a very large Tuxedo / Maincoon breed mix who was rescued and adopted from a farm in Kansas.
Switch grew into a flamboyant boy cat ruling the house and roaming the neighborhood north of Kelly Park. He liked driving in cars, climbing rooftops, listening to Elvis, hunted small animals and flying creatures, visited young kids in school show and tell, appeared in parades, and performed daily cat yoga. He was a most unique cat and impressed everyone who met him, with how smart, funny, friendly, and brave he was.
The Beginning of a Comic Story:
With support from the McCook Humane Society and the Daily Gazette, an original comic strip was created by a McCook Central Elementary 5th grader named Chloe. The comic strip was inspired from Switch's "out of the box" crazy cat life. Titled, "Super Switch - The Return of Katnip World," the comic ran each week in the Fri, Sat, Sunday (the weekend edition) for the the McCook Daily Gazette located on the “Whiskers animal shelter adoption section” of the paper.
Each comic retold Switches story but embellished him as a super hero like Superman or Batman possessing super feline powers. Super Switch could fly, had the power of invisibility, could see through walls and trees, and had super strength and super smell. The adventures of Katnip World told tales of defending the defenseless from bully dogs and scary villains like The Claw, The Hammer, The Guinea Gang, Snapper, Black Lab, and "Fluffy the Furious."
Fighting bad dogs, protecting kittens, serving the Mayor and catnip treats was job one in Katnip World. The comic series ran each weekend for three years (150+ comic strips).
Cat Pack Volunteers Begin:
Switch inspired two sisters who involved their friends to join together to help the local animal shelter by socializing the kittens, and doing community activities to raise awareness and donations for the Humane Society. Over time the name, "The Cat Pack," was formed and stuck. It was a humble volunteering cause created by elementary school friends who shared a dream to make a positive difference for the animals in the community. It started simple with lemonade stands and bake sales. But each year, as new Cat Pack friends showed up and the volunteering hours added up in numbers, so did the creative crafting ideas, activities, events, and projects.
By 2012, the McCook Humane Society Board of Directors officially adopted The Cat Pack as shelter “fundraisers of the year,” and presented them with a thank you party, volunteer certificates and a recognition plaque for their results and commitment.
The Purpose:
The overall Cat Pack goal is to "raise awareness" for the value of shelter animals and to "raise funds" for the Humane Society to succeed. Each year, the Cat Pack hosts seasonal bake sales, lemonade stands, sells new cat and dog 12 month calendars and a variety of cat pack logos merchandise all in an effort to benefit the local shelter.
Through the Years:
Over time, the Cat Pack tried new and different things to raise donations for the Humane Society. For example they: designed a coloring book, made bookmarks for the public library, new shelter gift certificate designs, created annual calendars, made a custom deck of playing cards, crafted original artwork and posters, designed cat pack logos merchandise: mouse pads, t-shirts, coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets, recycled stuffed animals, and other cat and dog themed merchandise. Today, the founding members of the cat pack have graduated from high school, but a new wave of volunteers are stepping up to continue the vision and effort to support the McCook Humane Society fulfill their mission.
Show your support for the animal shelter:
Each Spring (April through July 4th weekend), the Cat Pack supports the McCook Humane Society by hosting an online “pet photo contest. ” Each cat and dog image submitted is considered for inclusion in the next 12 month calendar. 2019 will be the 7th calendar fundraiser hosted by the McCook Cat Pack. You can get involved by sending in your favorite photo (s) today or voting for your favorite photo. The top cat and dog image are recognised as “calendar cover models” for the year and are inducted in to the McCook Human Society Calendar Cover PAW OF FAME.
The current contest is open now until Monday, July 9th, 7:00pm, CST, 2018. You, your cat or dog do not have to live in Red Willow County or the southwest, Nebraska Tri-State area. We welcome your involvement and financial support for our local shelter, The McCook Humane Society. To view the current photo contest rules, entries, or to vote for your favorite cat or dog photo), please visit the following URL link: https://www.gogophotocontest.com/thecatsanddogsofmccook
Get involved:
The Cat Pack is proud to continue its support for the local animal shelter today and is open to new animal loving volunteering minded recruits who want to help with events, crafts, PR, and special projects. For more info, please contact The Cat Pack via Facebook or email: [email protected]
Please "like us" and “share us” here on Facebook your family and friends. Thank you for supporting the McCook Humane Society and shelter animals.