Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Fresh off an appearance on NBC’s “The Today Show” on Thursday, Ten Lives Club spokesperson Kimberly LaRussa joined WBEN to update the amount of donations that have been pouring into the cat rescue organization this week.
“Over $300,000 has been raised. It’s insanity right now. We’re so, so grateful,” she exclaimed.
Ten Lives Club rescues about 3,000 cats a year. They have an operating budget of about a $1 million a year, which means they rely entirely on donations from the community. Chili cook-offs, car shows and other fundraising projects make up about $300,000 a year.
LaRussa says the avalanche of donations this week is going to make a huge impact.
“We’re going to save a heck of a lot of cats this year,” she said. “It gives us a little room to breathe and help the cats.”
In addition, the group’s profile has increased exponentially with national exposure.
“You can’t put a dollar sign on being on ‘The Today Show’,” LaRussa said. “When I got a call from the people working with Nutrish, (a dog food company owned by Rachael Ray,) they said they were going to send a check for $30,000, I was crying on the phone! I was just blown away.”