DIXFIELD – Brenda Jarvis and Caroline Smith are overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the generosity of area people to help homeless kittens and cats.

By Thursday, a program started by local people who appreciate the care the two sisters give to the felines, had netted more than $800 and at least a ton of cat and kitten food, litter, and a variety of colorful toys.

Checks have been coming into the Dixfield town office, and bags upon bags of cat food and litter have been dropped off at the town office or at Log Cabin Craftworks.

On Thursday, Public Works Director Tim Hanson loaded up the town’s pickup truck and drove another great pile of feline necessities to the “cat mobile home” on Pine Street.

Jarvis said generous people have contributed about four times the amount of money, food and litter this year than last year, the first time the drive was conducted.

So much has come in that she and her sister have had to store the largess in their homes.

Besides caring for the current 18-cat and kitten population in the mobile home, Jarvis or Smith also feed and care for about 17 feral cats at several undisclosed locations around town, and help out a woman who has trouble taking care of her two dozen or so cats.

As much as the contributions have been, they will likely last about four months, then the sisters will be back to paying out of pocket for food, litter and veterinary care for the animals.

The two not only feed them but also make sure they receive regular veterinary care and have them spayed or neutered.

“We’ve just been so overwhelmed and thankful,” Jarvis said.

Donations may still be made at the town office or at Log Cabin Craftworks, both on Main Street.