Kittens inspired by kittens 2012!

A couple of kittens manning the phones at IBKC fundraising headquarters. Photo by Laurie Cinotto.

It's that time of year again. Perennial Nicolai sisters' favorite, The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, is participating in the annual Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society fundraiser! Yup, Laurie and the IBKC gang are raising money to improve the lives of homeless cats and kittens in Tacoma and Pierce County, WA. Last year, $66,000 was raised by the IBKC! Isn't that incredible?

If you haven't heard of the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, I'd like to encourage you to head over to the IBKC blog and poke your little nose around. You will be delighted by what you find, I assure you!

Here are some additional items worth mentioning:

Point number one: The headmistress of the IBKC blog, Laurie Cinotto, is a Tacoma resident and a super-talented crafter. To check out her craft blog, Laurie Cinotto: art and craft, mosey on over here.

Point number two: KITTENS! Yup, sweet babies: every day in every way. Laurie and her husband, Craig, foster orphaned kittens for the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society. The kittens (sometimes in singles, more often in families) stay with Laurie until they're old enough for adoption. The IBKC blog documents their adventures, from arrival to adoption. So many success stories! It just makes us giddy beyond belief. 

Point number three: Dedication. Laurie gives bunches and bunches of her time at home (kittens are hard work!), keeps the blog updated, and participates in the Humane Society's annual fundraiser, which is in progress right now (hint, hint!). We really admire her selfless, good-hearted nature...and her kitten wrangling skills. Oh, she has skills like you wouldn't believe. 

Point number four: IBKC alums account for a considerable number of pins on my kittens pinboard. As God intended. 

Catherine's cat, Genevieve. Also known as Bink. We like to call this: putting on her bat ears. 

Catherine's other cat, Penelope. She's more commonly known as Peanut, Peen, Peen-Ween, Kitts, or Perma-kitten.

If you're intrigued by all this talk of kittens and would like to donate to this year's fundraiser--the IBKC is shooting for $75,000 this year--you can go here for details. And if you're uncertain about sending a donation all the way to Tacoma, remember to check in with your local branch of the Humane Society. They can always use your donations, whether they take the form of time, money, or supplies. 

Good karma for your kitties!