Pictured is the Ashville Library’s previous library cat, Libby, who was with the library since 2009 and passed away last August. Submitted file photo

ASHVILLE — The Ashville Library is ready to find their new furry patron.

The Ashville Library will be hosting a cat adoption event, or Cat Adopt-A-Thon in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Humane Society with the focus to not only allow for local community members to come in and potentially adopt their own cat, but to help the library find a new library cat for themselves.

This event comes following the library’s previous cat, Libby, passing away back in August. Libby was with the library since 2009.

“We knew we wanted another cat but we wanted to take the time to find the right fit for us,” Library Director Kristina Benson said. “I actually met with a representative of the Humane Society at a different event and she said we could send her a list of what we were looking for and they would help us find what we needed. And I said we should do something that benefited both of us, and we came up with the Adopt-a-thon idea.”

The Ashville Library will be holding the Cat Adopt-a-thon on Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the library, 2200 North Maple Avenue. The Humane Society will come with a few representatives and bring along some adoptable cats and Benson said the hope is that people will come meet and adopt their own cat, while also being able to formally introduce the new library cat.

Items are also being accepted leading up to the event for donations to the Humane Society, including; pet food, cleaning supplies, peanut butter with no xylitol, canned pumpkin, and more. There will also be a Pennies-For-Paws donation jar to fill. Any items or money donated will go directly to the Humane Society.

Benson said another big part of the event will be opening it up to the community to provide input on choosing a name for the new library cat.

“I envision hopefully introducing the cat that Thursday and then there will be pictures and videos on our social media and website to solicit ideas for a name,” Benson said. “We will have a dropbox open for about a week and then we will select a few names that look like they fit the most and then our patrons and other visitors to our website will be able to vote. The person who gave us the name that is chosen will also win a small prize.”

Benson welcomed everyone to come out to the library that day to come meet the new cat while also potentially finding one of their own.

“It’s an opportunity in this cold and miserable time of year to be warm and in a community mindset and come pet a furry friend,” Benson said. “You will also get to help our organizations and every day is a good day to visit the library.”

Benson reiterated that the Humane Society will only be at the library that day for a short amount of time, and welcomed everyone to come and join them. There will be updates on the Ashville Library’s website, ashvillelibrary.com, and on their social media sites as the new library cat is chosen, introduced and given a name.