Studio happenings: Pilates & purrs recap
At Niche, we're always looking for fun ways to combine our love for fitness and animals, and this event was no exception. We partnered with City Kitty Project RVA, a local organization focused on addressing the feral cat overpopulation crisis in the Richmond, Virginia area for a donation-based Move Mat Pilates class with some adorable kittens roaming the studio. The playful kittens added a joyful twist to our usual flow, and together we raised $620 to support City Kitty's mission.
City Kitty, a spin off of the foundation called the Lost Dog Foundation (LDF) which is focused on improving the lives of homeless and abandoned animals, primarily in the Richmond, Virginia area. The foundation works on several initiatives, including community outreach, spay and neuter assistance, owner education, feral cat TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), and rescue transportation to help animals escape overcrowded shelters. Although LDF doesn’t operate a physical shelter, it collaborates with private foster homes and provides medical support for rescued animals.
The foundation has placed over 700 dogs in loving homes across the U.S. and Canada and remains dedicated to improving the lives of animals through outreach, rescue, and spay/neuter programs. Donations to LDF are tax-deductible, and they actively seek support for their local and international efforts.
The City Kitty Project RVA, launched by Lost Dog Foundation in 2016, focuses on addressing the feral cat overpopulation crisis in the Richmond, Virginia area. The program has grown significantly, sterilizing and assisting over 700 free-roaming cats in 2023 alone. Their efforts include Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), medical care for at-risk cats, and support for local cat colony caretakers.
A key part of their program is community education and outreach. Many residents are unaware of how to manage feral cat populations, and LDF steps in to educate, assist with medical care, and implement TNR strategies to reduce the number of cats in a colony. They are always in need of support, whether through volunteer trapping, fostering, medical sponsorships, or donations to fund urgent care for rescued cats.
Donations can be made directly to the organization, or inquire with them about volunteering.
Didn’t make it this time? Be sure to check out our Studio Happenings page for more donation-based classes coming soon!
Our donation based classes are always accessible for clients at any skill level. Still curious about pilates at Niche without furry friends? Check out our schedule and class descriptions to see which class is right for you! If this is your first time coming to Niche, we recommend taking a Move Mat pilates class or a Reformer Flow class.
