Spring is coming, unlikely as that seems. At the animal shelter, we’ve got the first kittens of the season. There were three of them and they were accompanied by their beautiful mother. Two of the kittens were adopted right away, and the other one is probably in a new home by the time you read this. The mother, Missy, has transmitted her pastel coloring to her babies. She is blue-eyed with gray and beige stripes, movie queen glamorous. Once she is spayed she will be available for adoption as well.

The tuxedo cats in the main cat room are Muffin, a two-and-a-half-year-old female, and Mickey, a six-year-old male. Both of them have mellow dispositions. Each of them would prefer a permanent lap to nestle into, although they seem contented with the temporary attention provided by the staff and volunteers of the shelter. There is a border collie mix that needs re-homing who is still residing with his owner. This is a high-strung animal who needs a patient person willing to train him. Call Lisa at the shelter if you are willing and able to take on this project.

It might seem premature to begin writing about the garden party the animal shelter gives every year as its main fundraiser. However, plans are afoot for the event, which will be held on June 29. One of the highlights of the party last year was a jewelry sale. A supporter of the shelter donated a big box of her unused jewelry to the shelter, which we added to and put up for sale. We plan to do the same thing this year so we ask you, dear reader, to mine the bottom of your jewelry boxes and donate any unused pieces to the shelter. We are grateful for any kind, costume or real, broken or not. Just bring whatever you are no longer wearing to the animal shelter. We have appraisers and estimators. Our thanks and a tax deduction await you.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662.

Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.