Before we meet this week's featured pet, Austin Pets Alive! would like to announce that in celebration of five years helping local pets find forever homes, the organization is hosting a fundraiser. A very generous private donor has promised to donate $25,000 to APA! if it can raise a matching $25,000 by the end of the summer. To donate, go to the homepage of the APA! website.

This week, APA! has a friendly young cat who is ready to find his forever family. Valdez was rescued with 21 other kittens from a local shelter during "kitten season," the time of year when shelters are often flooded with litters from feral cats giving birth. Although he's enjoyed is stay at APA!, Valdez is more than ready to find a permanent place with some equally friendly people.

Name: Valdez

Sex: Male

Breed: Domestic shorthair mix

Adult size: Small

Age: 4 months

Sign: Aries

Spayed/neutered: Yes

Adoption fee: $125

Location: APA!'s new off-site cat habitat, Pet Supplies Plus

Surprise fact: Valdez is a striped black panther with little white sparkles in his fur, but he may also be part Melanistic Bengal, because his strips become pretty pronounced in the light.

What APA! says about Valdez:

• Valdez has a very outgoing personality. He loves cuddling and human contact, which would make him a good addition to families with kids. He's also friendly around other cats, whether it's playtime, nap time or bath time.
• On top of having really beautiful fur, it's also hard to say no to his mesmerizing eyes.

Why APA! says he deserves your love:

• Valdez definitely has the looks, but he backs it up with plenty of charm and personality. This young kitty is set to be the next member of your family for a long time to come.

To learn more and adopt Valdez, visit the APA! website.