Local cat rescue turning to community for financial support
Posted Mar 22, 2022 02:00:00 PM.
A new community cat rescue program is asking for the community's help with saving stray and feral cats.
Founder of Cambridge Homeless Cat Rescue, Sue Parsons, started the mission in September of 2021. Some of the most surprising things she learned are how little people know about the homeless cat population in Waterloo Region and how eager most people are to help.
In 2019, the Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford Perth Humane Society studied homeless cats in the region. The study says over 140,000 cats live on the streets in Waterloo Region alone. The number suggests a combination of both strays and feral cats.
“There is no help for feral cats, and these are the cats that will never be socials or become someone's pet. They are multi-generational street cats, and these cats multiply like crazy,” said Parsons.
She adds these cats are living in horrible conditions and are not cut out for North American living. They are invasive species, and they cannot survive in our climate.
The not-for-profit program has been working alongside the Kitchener-Waterloo Feral Cat Program to provide them with the care they need.
“Every Monday, they provide surgeries for feral cats. They neuter, spay, vaccinate, microchip, and ear-tip the cats. Once that is done, we release those that can't be socialized to where we found them.” explained Parsons.
Parsons noted the most successful way to control the feral cat population is by TNR- trap, neuter, and return. This prevents the cats from reproducing or catching any diseases.
The program aims to get as many cats as possible off the streets. The stray cats do get spayed and neutered, but if they show potential for socializing, they are put into foster homes. Once they are ready, they are then put up for adoption.
But now, the rescue team is looking to the community for support.
“It costs money to trap these cats, and vet fees are through the roof. In addition, we supply the foster home with food, litter, and all the supplies they need while fostering for us. But, still, money is a huge issue.”
The rescue program currently holds auctions every month and 50/50 draws. The Cambridge Homeless Rescue Cat launched a campaign called 'Every Toebean Counts.' They are looking for 200 donors who can donate 10 dollars a month, and in turn, every month, they would be added to a draw, and the winner would get a gift certificate.
“We spend equal amounts of time trying to find the money and supplies to fund the rescue and rescuing. So it's almost two jobs,” said Parsons. “We are looking for 200 people to donate just 10 dollars a month, and in return, every month, they would be added to a draw, and the winner would get a gift certificate.”
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