Haven cheers-up kitten's rumpus room with mural

KITTEN APPROVAL: Contented kittens cuddle in a bed below a section of a mural recently painted in Haven Humane Society’s cat room. The mural is one of numerous murals planned for inside and outside the animal shelter.

Living in shelter cages can soon become boring for those active furry felines, known to prefer romping and playing with anything that will skirt away from those playful paws.

For years, Haven Humane Society has rotated its feline guests from stainless steel cages to a couple of glass-fronted, bedroom-size rooms. Everybody gets a few days in Haven's feline rumpus rooms.

Until recently, these cat rooms were painted in drab, faded colors, with carpet on walls exhausted from years of scratching and clawing.

Ray John, Haven's chief executive officer, and Krista Korenko, the shelter's resident dog trainer, decided each room needed a major face lift, something bright and cheery for people and pets to enjoy.

The artist went to work, two high school volunteers at her side painting the areas that needed broad sections of solid color while Korenko performed the details, butterflies, a raccoon, humming bird and lizard on a realistic-looking rock. The outdoor scene is the first of the two rooms to be completed.

"It makes it much brighter and inviting for prospective adoptive owners," John said. "We're delighted to have such a talented artist such as Krista on our staff. Not only is she a great artist, but an excellent trainer, too."

The kittens and adult cats, needless to say, love their new room, paws swiping at the butterfly that can't escape them. Or going after the lizard that remains motionless on it's perch.

It's a peaceful scene much of the time, slumbering felines nestled in blankets and kitty beds. But come in a few minutes later and it's a chaotic scene of kittens climbing a man-made tree, outfitted with washable carpet, a material cats love to sink their claws into.

"This is the first of many murals to come, both internal and external," John said. "We've invited local high school students to help on our next mural project."

John said he envisions murals on multiple Haven walls - scenes that will be enjoyed by visitors and employees alike.

"We want people to feel welcome and we want Haven to be a place they want to come to. After all, we rely on the public adopting the animals that need homes," he said.

The next project will be the adjoining cat room, walls that will feature an indoor home setting, complete with sofa, bookshelf and fireplace, said Korenko, who has done numerous murals including one at a horse stable and two baby nurseries.