Kendra Meinert

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

The Force met the fur at Green Bay Animal Rescue and the results were, as any cat- or dog-loving “Star Wars” fan might expect, out of this world.

You don’t know what a softie a Stormtrooper can be until you see one cradling a 3-week-old kitten or how a cat named Buddy can make a Jawa’s eyes light up — literally.

Hardly the kind of scenes you’re going to see in George Lucas’ next film, but they played out Sept. 17 in a galaxy not very far, far away. Local “Star Wars” superfans with the 501st Legion-Black Ice Squad, Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club and The Rebel Legion donated their time to pose with animals up for adoption through Green Bay Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization whose 20 active volunteers care for animals in foster homes and at the Kathy Bootz Memorial Cat Sanctuary inside Parkside Animal Care Center.

Members of the 501st Legion, a worldwide, all-volunteer network of “Star Wars” fans who take their handmade costumes as seriously as their love for the film franchise, make appearances at charitable and civic events to raise awareness and spirits. They say things like, “Here’s my trading card,” and then slip you one of themselves in character complete with their Legion ID number.

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The 501st has more than 10,000 members in 61 countries, but closer to home, there are about 50 active members in Northeastern Wisconsin in the Black Ice Squad, one of the many smaller divisions within the 501st and part of a 92-member statewide collective known as the Wisconsin Garrison. Members have shown up at everything from community celebrations and charity fundraisers to birthday parties and hospital bedsides for Make-A-Wish requests.

The photo shoot with cats and dogs in need of homes was a first for a 501st Legion group in Wisconsin, said Rachel Hanks, the Appleton member who coordinated the event after talking with co-worker Amanda Hostak, who volunteers with Green Bay Animal Rescue. It wasn’t a hard sell to get members — even the ones who play the bad guys — to suit up on a Saturday morning to give animals some love.

“Everybody pounced, because who doesn’t want to work with animals?” said Hanks, whose character is Darth Revan. “Everybody loves animals. Everybody loves ‘Star Wars.’ Suddenly you have ‘Star Wars’ mixed with animals and everyone goes crazy.”

That Green Bay Animal Rescue is a smaller group that would benefit from the attention appealed to the 501st members, Hanks said. They’re also one of the few rescues in the state that will take in any breed, said Briana Petersen of De Pere, who was dressed as Padme Amidala.

“Anything for the fur babies,” she said.

About 15 members from Green Bay and the Fox Valley signed up for the photo session at Parkside, where they arrived an hour in advance to get into their costumes, which are extensive. One of the requirements for membership in the 501st Legion is at least one screen-accurate costume and participation in at least one public event each year. Mandalorians, Tusken Raiders, TIE fighter pilots, Stormtroopers and a Republic Commando were among the willing models.

Most of the four-legged subjects seemed oblivious to the heavy armor, menacing masks and glowing orange eyes. For those cats too scared to join the invasion in the lobby, the characters went to them, posing for photos in the tight quarters of cat rooms and office spaces. The biggest and furriest of the bunch wasn’t a cat or a dog, but Fritz the Wampa, the carnivorous ice creature that towers high above the rest of the “Star Wars” conglomeration. He made his appearance for the photo shoot finale, as Petersen helped him get into his huge arms and then fluffed up his coat.

“We thought it would be fun to have a furry friend,” Petersen said.

Fritz, along with his “Star Wars” co-stars, all but stopped traffic along Military Avenue when they posed for a group photo outside Parkside. There were more than a few honks and several cars with children pulled in and asked to get a photo. For those in the the 501st Legion, who do as many as 40 appearances a year, it's all part of the reward of giving back.

“We’re very blessed we get to do this,” Petersen said.

Photos have already been shared on the 501st Legion Facebook page, where they have 4,900 likes, as well as on the Wisconsin Garrison and Black Ice Squad Facebook pages. Green Bay Animal Rescue will use them to help catch the eye of potential pet adopters.

“We all know that there are more cats and kittens in shelters than there are homes,” said Green Bay Animal Rescue president Kathy DeChamps. “We’ve had cats that have been with us for a very long time. We hope this is a new way to showcase them, bring some interest to them and hopefully find them a home.”

Never doubt the Force. One of the cats was already adopted last week by a couple with the Mandalorian Mercs who participated in the shoot.

kmeinert@pressgazettemedia.com and follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert

To adopt

Green Bay Animal Rescue’s available pets are featured on the nonprofit group’s website at greenbayanimalrescue.weebly.com and on its Facebook page.