The Town Council has given its approval for a cat rescue shelter on Avenue of the Fountains.

The council voted 4-0 at its regular meeting on Sept. 1 to approve a special use permit for Fearless Kitty Rescue, which has plans to move from its current Enterprise Drive location to the Avenue on the north side, midway between Saguaro Boulevard and Verde River Drive.

Kim Kamins, with the rescue group, told the council she has learned through her association with the group that organizations such as Fearless Kitty play an important role in how people view a community as they consider where they want to settle down.

“We are excited about moving from the back street to main street in the town,” Kamins said. “This makes a statement that Fountain Hills is at the forefront as a caring community.”

The proposed new location for the Kitty Rescue is within a C-2 zoning district. Town Interim Development Services Director Bob Rodgers explained that the Zoning Ordinance classifies Fearless Kitty Rescue as a kennel and, therefore, it needs the special use permit to operate in the C-2 zoning district.

The new location is approximately 5,200 square feet and is planned to include non-critical medical services such as vaccinations, a volunteer information area, office and small conference room.

Fearless Kitty Rescue has been in Fountain Hills since 2012 and serves not only Fountain Hills, but the greater Phoenix area as well and accepts rescues from no-kill shelters statewide.

Fearless Kitty Cat Rescue operates with about 70 volunteers and is dedicated to finding homes for abandoned and homeless cats of all ages and educating the public about responsible pet ownership.

Councilmembers Dennis Brown, Cassie Hansen and Alan Magazine were absent from the meeting.