Vox, one of many cats saved by WACP. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- She heard the meows of desperation and saw the homeless critters scrounging around garbage cans for a meal.

Yes, they were cute – aren’t all cats? – but Debbie Guylas knew she couldn’t take them all in. After all, no house could accommodate the packs of feral cats wandering the street.

Story and photos by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

But Gulyas knew something needed to be done when she and her husband and business partner Pete Gulyas opened Blue Arrow Records in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood a decade ago.

“When we moved in there were sick cats all over and you’d see dead cats in the street,” says Debbie Gulyas. “I just couldn’t look at this and decided someone needed to step up -- for the cats and also the neighborhood.”

Don't Edit

One of many WACP cat houses providing shelter to stray and feral cats in Collinwood. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Raise a paw and shake a tail for Waterloo Alley Cat Project.

For 10 years, the non-profit organization has helped more than 500 cats in the neighborhood. Well, actually more than that; Gulyas stopped counting after that.

Don't Edit

Freeway, one of many cats saved by WACP. Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

At 7 p.m. Saturday, the Waterloo Alley Cat Project will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Waterloo Hall (formerly Slovenian Workmen’s Home), 15335 Waterloo Rd. Cleveland. The party will double as a fundraiser and features music by DJ Grandbag, food provided by Melt Bar and Grilled, a photo booth, an art sale and raffles featuring gifts donated by area cat lovers. For more info, go to waterlooalleycatproject.org.

Don't Edit

Debbie Gulyas and Monnie, a kitty cat that reised at Blue Arrow Records in Collinwood. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

It’s also a celebration of cats and the people who love them.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

WACP board members, from left: Debbie Gulyas, Jessica Manko, Julie Mack and Anna Norton. Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

On Monday, Gulyas -- aka the Cat Lady of Collinwood -- met with board members Jessica Manko, Anna Norton and Julie Mack at Blue Arrow Records, which doubles as HQ for Waterloo Alley Cat Project.

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

They assembled baskets of gifts – surprise, surprise, most are cat related – but also reflected on the on the role of the group in stabilizing the cat population in the neighborhood.

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

The Waterloo Alley Cat Project bash will feature, yes, cat-themed give-a-ways. This lion can be yours...

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

“When we opened our store in 2009, I noticed a large cat colony behind our building and there were six kittens,” says Gulyas.

Don't Edit

Jessica Manko and Rhonda, a resident of Blue Arrow Records. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

“I was at the Beachland Ballroom when Debbie and Pete opened here and saw all these cats running around the street,” says Manko, referring to the Cleveland rock club down the street. “And I started working with them a year later on the project.”

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Blue Arrow Records -- 16001 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland; 216-486-2415 -- is renowned for its selection of vinyl. The store also doubles as the headquarters for Waterloo Alley Cat Project.

Don't Edit

A cat hotel located near the parking lot behind Blue Arrow. Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Collinwood was hardly unique. The stock market crash of 2009 and the foreclosure crisis that followed impacted a number of neighborhoods and resulted in people abandoning their pets to the streets.

Well, stray cat blues no more. Waterloo Road is no longer a beggar's banquet for the little midnight ramblers and the cats of Collinwood finally got some satisfaction.

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Waterloo Alley Cat Project helped feral and abandoned cats by providing a variety of services. It traps, spays, neuters and vaccinates cats in the area.

It also provides shelter for them in a parking lot behind Blue Arrow.

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

In 2013, the non-profit received a grant to make and decorate shelters for homeless cats in the neighborhood. Six artists were summoned for the effort: Tony Williams, Noah Hrbek, Meg Wilson, Savannah Quesenberry, Barbara Finley and Sarah Isenhart.

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

While this might sound like some boutique cat hotel, the issue is more about substance than style.

“By trapping and then fixing cats and getting them vaccinations and homes, we’ve managed to control and stabilize the cat population,” says Gulyas. “It creates a better environment for the cats.”

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Rhonda has been known to work the counter at times. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Waterloo Alley Cat also operates a sanctuary in the area that provides shelter to 30 more cats. And, of course, Blue Arrow is home to some of the most beloved shop cats in the city. There are five – Freeway, Rhonda, Monnie, Fluffy and Vox.

Don't Edit

Blue Arrow is also a record label. It has released a wide range of artists, including rock legend Jonathan Richman.

Don't Edit

Freeway. Photo by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

“When got them I was worried that people might not want to come to the store, but a lot of people come for records and to see them,” says Gulyas.

Sometimes Freeway gets a tad frisky and rubs against and tries to play with customers. But otherwise, everyone seems happy in Catland.

Don't Edit

John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Blue Arrow owners Pete and Debbie Gulyas sure love cats -- so much so that even the T-shirts for the record store is adorned with one.

Don't Edit

Fluffy, one of many cats saved and helped by WACP. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

“You know, when I started this whole cat thing I thought people would think I’m some kind of crazy cat lady,” says Gulyas. “But we’ve even gotten a great response from people who aren’t cat lovers because they don’t see packs of cats roaming the street and eating out of garbage cans. And, you know, the cats are happier too.”

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Vox, one of hundreds of cats saved and helped by WACP. John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

For more info on Waterloo Alley Cat Project, go to waterlooalleycatproject.org.