The anticipation has been building!  The hushed woofs and soft purrs can be heard up and down the adoption center floor with speculation over which of their former roomies would be selected! Who will grace this year’s cover?  Well, the wait is over and the star of the Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) Alumni Calendar is ready to make his debut.  The winner is named Nermal and there is nothing simply “normal” about one of the coolest cats around.  His early life began challenging, not unlike many of the other competing alumni. Born to a single mom he started his life with his three siblings wandering on the grounds of a local country club before finding refuge at the MCSPCA.   The entire family including mom have since found loving homes to call their own.

Nermal’s photogenic good looks and kitten charm make him a natural in front of the camera, which is why he was also chosen to star in the recent Monmouth County SPCA advertising campaign.  “I am very proud to have Nermal featured in the MCSPCA advertising campaign and the 2012 calendar”, explained Perri Blind of her cat’s budding modeling career.  “Helping homeless animals find loving homes is something that means a tremendous amount to me and supporting the MCSPCA in their mission makes me proud! Adopting Nermal and my other pets has brought me nothing but joy. I hope Nermal’s photos and story has inspired others to adopt a shelter pet and support the MCSPCA where there are still many other loving, adorable and deserving pets waiting for a second chance,” continued Ms. Blind regarding supporting the animal welfare organization.

All of the animals at the Homeward Bound Adoption Center have star potential and for the last nine years the MCSPCA’s Homeward Bound Alumni Calendar has featured over a hundred pets and their heartwarming “tails” of their journey home.  Each month the calendar celebrates the miraculous changes in fortune for the adopted animals of the MCSPCA that have found their forever home.  Mr. September is Weslee Wallace, a hound mix puppy pin-up who was rescued from an overcrowded shelter in the south.  While most of the pages feature canines and felines, there is always room for “exotic” animal companions. The January selection features a quintet of “show choir” parakeets since they have a wide range to their musical selections.

This eye catching calendar not only serves as a wonderful fundraiser for the Monmouth County SPCA, but also helps to raise awareness to the plight of the homeless animals of Monmouth County. As always, putting together the calendar is a labor of love with a dedicated team of professional volunteers.  Some very pet friendly photographers Joan LaBanca and Scott Longfield, along with Wendy Born (Illustrator) and Jill Weiss (Graphic Designer) donate their time and talents to the calendar project every year under the watchful eye of Kim Ruane, MCSPCA Board of Trustee member.  To learn more about or to order your copy of the MCSPCA’s Homeward Bound Alumni Calendar online click here.  Each copy is just $12 or 2 for $20 and all proceeds are used to care for homeless animals residing at the MCSPCA Homeward Bound Adoption Center. Calendars are also available for sale at the Monmouth County SPCA Homeward Bound Adoption Center, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown as well as select retail outlets in Monmouth County.