Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Fresh off an appearance on NBC's "The Today Show" on Thursday, Ten Lives Club spokesperson Kimberly LaRussa joined WBEN to update the amount of donations that have been pouring into the cat rescue organization this week.
"Over $300,000 has been raised. It's insanity right now. We're so, so grateful," she exclaimed.
Ten Lives Club rescues about 3,000 cats a year. They have an operating budget of about a $1 million a year, which means they rely entirely on donations from the community. Chili cook-offs, car shows and other fundraising projects make up about $300,000 a year.
LaRussa says the avalanche of donations this week is going to make a huge impact.
"We're going to save a heck of a lot of cats this year," she said. "It gives us a little room to breathe and help the cats."
In addition, the group's profile has increased exponentially with national exposure.
"You can't put a dollar sign on being on 'The Today Show'," LaRussa said. "When I got a call from the people working with Nutrish, (a dog food company owned by Rachael Ray,) they said they were going to send a check for $30,000, I was crying on the phone! I was just blown away."
February will mark 24 years since Ten Lives Club has been around. It started in founder Marie Edwards' garage.
"To see this happen, I have tears in my eyes," said LaRussa.
Do they have a plan on how they are going to deal with this huge influx of cash?
"We're going to do our due diligence, but these donations will go to good use," LaRussa explained. "All of the cats that comes in are not healthy and ready to go. They need surgery and dentals. You never know how much it's going to cost to care for each cat that comes in."
LaRussa says they will also do something special in Tyler Bass' name. The organization has not heard from Bass since the rush of donations this week.
"I'm pretty certain he's gotten wind of this by now. I just hope it made a difference for him, seeing everyone rally behind him," she said.
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If you're interested in contributing, LaRussa says you can donate by visiting TenLivesClub.com/donate, or you could donate on their Facebook or Instagram pages.
Ten Lives Club's main location is on Lakeshore Road in Blasdell. They are also in the Transit Hill Plaza in Depew and the Walden Galleria Mall.