By Emily Enfinger | The Associated Press

A new booth at Junebugg’s Flea and Antique Mall will benefit local shelter animals.

Selma Purrfect Pets, Selma Animal Hospital and the Humane Society of Central Alabama now share a booth at the mall to help cover expenses.

“They had a booth available, and they offered it to us,” said Shannon Lynch of Selma Purrfect Pets.

Donated goods and items will be sold in the booth.

Lynch said the booth is a tremendous fundraising opportunity for each organization.

“It’s just a tremendous gift. It costs so much more money to completely vet a cat than the adoption fee,” Lynch said. “It’s a great way to keep the medicine coming.”

She said the booth is important for Selma Purrfect Pets and the Humane Society of Central Alabama because it will allow them to continue to vet animals. The cats at the shelter are allowed to roam free in the cat room if they are vetted; otherwise they have to remain in a kennel.

“It’s not inexpensive,” Lynch said. “It’s really important to me that they not go back into the kennels.”

Lynch said having the cats roam free helps adoption rates because people can interact with the animals to get a feel for each cat’s personalities.

Having the vetting provided will also increase adoption because people are more likely to adopt healthy and pre-vetted animals.

Lynch hopes the booth will bring in enough revenue to begin micro chipping the animals. People can make donations for the booth at Junebugg’s, located at 1302 E Highland Ave., or at the Selma Animal Shelter, located at 206 Medical Center Parkway. Donations can be designated to a particular organization.