---

Inspired by her own special pets, Author Kimberly Palmucci wrote seven books to share a positive message about shelter animals and to celebrate the qualities that make us unique.

Now, she is halfway through a month-long fundraising campaign to help raise donations for Connecticut-based animal rescue Monkey’s Pack.

“Through the end of May, I will be donating $1 per eBook sale of my book—The Wormwood Mysteries: Secret of Lake Falls—to local animal rescue Monkey’s Pack,” Palmucci released in a statement.

Palmucci adopted her cats Mayra, Rosie, and Princess from Monkey’s Pack. Princess is a three-legged cat who inspired the third book in Palmucci’s “Purr-fectly” children’s series aimed at “celebrating our differences,” the author said.

Mayra and Rosie serve as the main inspiration behind Palmucci’s “Wormwood” middle-grade mystery series.

“We adopted three of our four cats from Monkey’s Pack. This nonprofit is completely funded by donations and run by a group of dedicated and caring volunteers,” Palmucci said. “I have worked closely with them on several events, and the amount they care about adoptable pets is inspirational.”

According to its website, Monkey’s Pack was established to help “homeless, medically complex and senior animals” in Connecticut. Recently, the group saved two medically complex kittens, Jack and Riley.

Jack has a fractured thigh bone/femur, the group reported, and will require a consult with a pediatric surgeon.

Veterinary experts said Riley is either weak from the environment from which he was pulled or has a brain disorder “which is causing him difficulty with walking normally.”

The kittens are a few weeks old; when Palmucci read their story, she wanted to use her books to give back.

“I am usually able to hold book signings and other events to raise donations when I see inspiring stories such as these little kittens,” Palmucci said. “But due to the social distancing recommendations, I am unable to do that at this time. But I still believe we can work together to raise additional donations for these kittens.”

“The Wormwood Mysteries: Secret of Lake Falls” is available on Amazon.com and on Palmucci’s website, kimberlypalmucci.com. The author added that one dollar per eBook sale will be donated directly to the animal rescue through the end of May. EBooks are listed for $2.99 online.

For more information or to make a donation to Monkey’s Pack, visit their website at monkeyspack.com.