Courtesy photo

South County Cats, a Maple Valley-based, all-volunteer organization, is sponsoring a fund-raising drive in August to help pay for spay and neuter surgeries for cats of low-income owners and caretakers. South County Cats has assisted with spay/neuter funding and transportation for more than 400 cats this year, according to Sally Halela, one of the non-profit organization’s leaders. During the summer kitten season, Halela said, the need is especially great to prevent overcrowded shelters from receiving more kittens such as Scooter (above), a rescued kitten from Enumclaw whose leg will be amputated because of a degenerative condition. South County Cats also alters kittens before adopting them into new homes. During “Coins for Cats” this month, a $15 donation will pay for one neuter, and $25 will cover one spay. Donation cans are at Mud Bay (23714 222nd Pl. SE. in Maple Valley), Taylor Creek Quilt Studio (21639B Maple Valley Hwy.) and Horizon Pet Supply (30741 Third Ave. in Black Diamond), Donations can also be mailed to South County Cats, 26828 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE., Maple Valley, WA 98038. More information is at www.southcountycats.petfinder.org.