Ventura—The good work continued at Cassie’s Cats and Kittens on Saturday, July 15, as Diamond Painting with Cats was a creative joy.
THE fundraising event for Cassie’s Cats and Kittens provides funding for its ongoing work to provide Cats and Kittens with a loving, caring home while ensuring they find special parents.
Diamond Painting involves a canvas with an adhesive that resembles a color-by-number paint kit. Each square has a number that corresponds to a color. The Diamond chips are plastic and adhere to canvas.
Cassie’s Cats and Kittens Founder Jennifer Thompson said Diamond Painting is new to the Cat Lounge, spurred by her and volunteers who like Diamond Painting.
“Our Diamond painting event has an abstract, colorful Cat picture,” she said. “All the participants will have the same project, and they’ll take them home. They won’t finish it while they’re here.”
Jennifer completed her first Diamond Painting in early 2024 and enjoyed how relaxing and meditative it was.
“I knew a couple of other people here have done them before, and they enjoyed it, as well, so I said, let’s see if we can find some kits that are affordable enough; we can host a fundraiser at a price point for people to attend,” she said.
Participants must remember that Cats are wandering around and decide to become art critics and alter their creations.
“Jake and Finn, orange and white fluffy Cats, are 11-month-old brothers, and they like to jump on every surface,” she said. “They’re good Cats but very rambunctious,’
Jennifer had plenty of cleaning agents ready in case Paws needed help.
“I’m more concerned about Cats jumping up and spilling someone’s materials,’ she said.
Funds raised through events, she said, go toward caring for and sheltering Cats.
“Our Kittens, Katrina and Gracie, were adopted, and also Harry and Ron were adopted two weeks ago,’ she said. “Charlotte also got adopted recently. One of our Volunteers adopted Charlotte.’
Jennifer noted there are always plenty of Cat-themed items in the gift shop to purchase.
“We always have new things coming in, and some things are always there,” she said. “If people have wand toys for their Cats, we do have some new attachments.”
Volunteer Brian Sipes watched the fun and said he had no artistic ability.
“I’m just hanging out with the Kitties,” he said.
Shannon Evans volunteers at the Lounge and said Diamond Painting is similar to paint by numbers.
“Instead of a brush, you’re using a pen with wax,’” she said. “You dip the pen into the wax, and then you place it onto the picture. I picked this up about five years ago.”
She loves being part of the Cassie’s Cats family.
“Jennifer does this event, puzzle events, and yoga events, and they’re lots of fun,” Evans said.
Jen Flores said her goal is to not “mess up.”
“This is a lot harder than I thought it would be,” she said. “I’ll probably hang it up somewhere when I’m done.”
Matt Shrope said his wife is an artist, and he attends, hoping to get better.
“We do a lot of the paint night events, and she does arts and crafts all the time,” he said. “We both have Cats. I’m just trying to keep up with her. Her art is all over the house. I haven’t done anything worth hanging up.”
He loves the Lounge.
“I’m a big fan of getting Cats adopted, spayed, and neutered,” he said.
Joan Alstot said if her creation looks good, it’s going on the wall.
“It depends on what it looks like,” she said. “I like Cassie’s Cats because Jennifer makes sure they find a good home.”
Martie Qnouse said she doesn’t want all the Cats even though she loves them all and has already adopted Cats from the Lounge.
“It already happened,” she said. “I adopted one, Salt, now Sam, from Cassies and two from Camarillo.’
Brenda Dearborn hadn’t Diamond Painted before, but she wanted to give it a try.
“This is our first time here, and it’s so much fun,” she said. “We are definitely coming back.”
Thompson said the Cat adoption rate is $150 per Cat or $225 if a family adopts two.
“We credit your visit fee up to $40,” she said.
After more than two years of pursuing her passion, she said there are days when it can be challenging, but it pales compared to the look on someone’s face when they discover a new special friend.
“We have good supporters who stop by, which is a reminder of the good work we do here,” she said.
Visit cassiescatsandkittens.org or stop by 1744 E. Main Street in Ventura to see the Cats.
