Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue searching for new space

Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue is worried it will have to shut its doors if they can’t find a new facility.

They were told the building they reside in at 332 Charles Street East in Kitchener is set to be turned into a 27-floor high rise apartment.

The rescue opened at the start of 2020, helping thousands of cats each year with a team of about 60 volunteers.

Their founder, Tammy Tanner, has been desperately searching for a new location that will be able to fit their needs as an animal rescue.

“If I can’t find a place, I have no other choice then to close the doors,” said Tanner.

Currently they have 36 cats in their care, Tanner explained they can’t take anymore in until they are assured they have a new location. 

Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue is looking for a facility with multiple rooms so they can continue their rescue efforts. The group needs a place where they can have a quarantine room, a nursery and an ICU to treat emergencies.

Tanner said there is a major need for cat rescues like theirs right now in the city and in other areas.

 “Its massive, people don’t realize how bad it is. Just in the rural areas there’s about 15 thousand cats running all over the place, you just don’t see them.”

Tanner added she is worried that if they close their doors the number of stray cats and kittens will increase dramatically, since they won’t be able to help get them spayed or neutered.

The goal of Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue is to rehome as many animals as they can. Sometimes that may mean putting them in the ICU room or getting them socialized through one of their Saturday gatherings where they invite the public in.

Tanner and the rescue group found out last month about the changes to their building.

The City of Kitchener council approved the high rise apartment slated for the Charles Street location in September, but it still needs approval from the Region of Waterloo.

“I can’t take anymore cats in, until I know the future of Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue,” added Tanner.

The local rescue attained zoning permits for their rescue on Charles Street recently. Tanner said now they will have to reapply and repay for the zoning permits when they find a new location.