Kittens from Contented Critters were the cuddliest part of Christmas Bingo at Ely’s Carefree Living community.

Contented Critters is a local animal rescue that takes in strays, surrenders, and special medical cases. Hailey Myre is a vet tech and one of the passionate people behind the nonprofit. She was also the bingo caller last Friday.

“We love what we do. It’s very rewarding. And we also love bringing animals to the community and the elderly,” Myre said.

Contented Critters Board President Michelle Greener handed out prizes as rounds of Bingo were won and raffle numbers called.

“So much of what we deal with is a little bit more heartbreaking. It can be really dirty work. It can be really depressing work,” she said. “But we come here, and it gives us a chance to connect with our elders, and give them a little bit of joy. And any time you’re bringing joy to other people, it always adds something to your own joy.”

Shirley Shusta, a Carefree resident, held an all black kitten.

“We always had cats and dogs,” she said. “I used to bring cats home, and then my mother got pink eye one time. So that was the end of that.”

Carefree Living Activities Assistant Carolyn Schiltz said the residents are “over-the-moon excited” when Hailey arrives with animals.

“It gives them more of a sense of home. A lot of them had animals at their homes before they came here, and they don’t have them now,” Schiltz said. “So this is their chance to hold and snuggle a puppy or a kitten.”

Contented Critters returns to Carefree once a month.