Forgotten Felines and Fidos had an open house and wine tasting on Sept. 23.

The plan was to find homes for some of the 100 cats living at the facility, along Mountain Road, Germansville.

The sign at the entrance of the shelter points to 9-Lives Boulevard, a private road.

Flutations, a four-person flute choir based in Allentown, provided gentle music for the tasting.

Blue Mountain Vineyard, New Tripoli, provided tastings and sold wine by the bottle. Visitors described the taste they wanted to try and Denise Panner, office manager for Blue Mountain, quickly picked it out from the many varieties on hand.

“Cat people are wine people,” she said. And, Lisa Cvonstka added, “Wine makes cats better.”

The vineyard started 30 years ago on top of a hill and worked its way downhill as it grew, Panner said.

Seven years later, the tasting room was added.

The winery is involved in many fundraisers. Panner said it has been a good year for grapes weather-wise, which means good wine.

Ten percent of all sales go to support Forgotten Felines and Fidos.

There were shirts offered with the message “Spay and Neuter saves lives.”

Sue Bowman is the manager of Forgotten Felines and Fidos. Volunteers help with caring for the rescued animals. At present, there are more than 120 cats.

A separate room, known as the feline leukemia cottage, keeps infected cats away from feline leukemia-free animals. Another separate room is for feral cats. They are quarantined for 10 days and watch is kept to see how they socialize.

Some cats are fostered and just brought in on a weekend for possible adoption.

Miles Spengler found three stray kittens on his porch. The mother had either run off or was dead. He is fostering them until they find a home.

Janice Murling edits the newsletter, the Feline Fuzz, which has sections about amazing rescues, available for adoption, in loving memory, and a thank you to young supporters.

Of special note in the summer newsletter was the story of Lucian who, for his 9th birthday party, requested donations be made to Felines and Fidos instead of receiving gifts.

He was given $70 plus cat food, cat toys and paper towels.

Murling said she becomes very attached to the cats she helps prepare for adoption. A litter was brought in with eight kittens: one gray and seven completely black. All but one have found homes.

Two of the community rooms have doors to the outside with completely fenced in patios so the cats can go outside if they wish.

The Crystal ballroom is for a cat that needs special food. If she does not get it, her urine crystallizes and blocks the passage.

A volunteer came in and asked if people could come in for a tour.

Murling replied, “Yes, we’ll take them for a walk through paradise.

A surgical room, presided over by Theresa Podoyak, described as almost like a vet, completes the facilities.

Forgotten Felines and Fidos can be reached at forgottenfelinesfidos@ gmail.com