Suzie the cat is one of several local pets that Somerville-Cambridge Elder Service staffers are trying to help, by raising funds through an upcoming 5K.

By Louise Carpenter

Staffers from Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) are running to help local pets this month, and are seeking the public’s support through donations.

The SCES runners are participating in the first annual Kitty Connection Blur of Fur 5K on June 26. The SCES SeniorPet program is a partner of Kitty Connection, and the runners are seeking donations to help local older adults cover veterinary expenses.

The SCES runners hope to raise enough to help these pets:

• Seline: a 9-year-old cat with an outstanding bill of $400 for bloodwork. Her loving owner is putting small amounts of money aside each month to try to pay the bill.

• Sydney: a 9-year-old cat who has dental disease, and needs a medical exam and bloodwork as soon as possible. Sydney’s medication costs $90 a month, and his owner is struggling to afford those costs, while also paying a balance of $105 from Sydney’s last vet trip.

• Baby: an 11-year-old cat with an ongoing ear infection. Her owner is paying a balance of $80 from her last exam, and hasn’t been able to afford another exam and additional medication, which will cost another $130.

• Suzie: an 11-year-old cat whose owner owes $35 for bloodwork, and needs help covering the cost of a special diet that costs $65 per month.
SeniorPet helps clients defray the burdens of pet ownership by providing food, supplies and affordable medical care. The program runs on both donations and volunteerism, by enlisting community support to arrange for basic pet services and taking up collections to help cover more expensive medical needs. For more information about SeniorPet, call 617-628-2601 ext. 3051 or email mmazzeo@eldercare.org.

The Blur of Fur 5K will follow the Northern Strand Community Trail, and starts at 11am on Sunday, June 26 at the Dockside Restaurant, 229 Centre Street in Malden. Runners and walkers can register for $25 at www.racemenu.com/bluroffur.
Based out of Medford, Kitty Connection is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned, and abused cats and dogs. For more information or to donate, visit www.kittyconnection.net.

Established in 1972, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity and independence of older people in Somerville and Cambridge. SCES is a state designated Aging Services Access Point and a federal Area Agency on Aging. Some SCES services are targeted to low-income residents of Somerville and Cambridge, age 60 and over, who need assistance with managing daily activities. Other services are available to older adults, disabled persons and family caregivers throughout Greater Boston.