Getaway Donates $310 Toward Stray Cats Program

Responding to a that has bothered many residents, Getaway Cafe owner Lou Manolios hosted a at his restaurant on July 12.

Manolios said that the  was "hopping" that day with diners that came specifically for the cats.

But no matter what their reason for coming, 20 percent of all patrons' bills (before taxes and not including alcohol) was donated to the volunteer group Animals Against The Odds Rescue and Rehab (AATO) for a TNR program that will include many cats living behind the Getaway.

All in all, July 12's diners raised $310 for the program through Getaway checks. And Manolios said that many people also came to the restaurant with cash to add directly to the pot.

"It costs like $35 for each cat to be spayed or neutered," Manolios said, "so the more (money) that we can raise, the better it is to help gain some control over all the cats that are out there.

"If they're spayed or neutered, then they can't inbreed. And then, eventually, they'll die naturally. There's probably about 25 cats (behind the Getaway), and they inbreed. That's the problem."

The Baldwin Township Board of Commissioners has not authorized the AATO to run its TNR program on Baldwin's public property, but private property remains fair game with permission from the owners.

Manolios is excited to help with what he calls a worthwhile effort.

"Hopefully, (people in) other townships will follow suit," he said.

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