While many families scurried about last Saturday making last-minute preparations for Easter, the volunteers behind Niagara-on-the-Lake Cats were making sure their feline families are being taken care of.
The group staged its annual spring fundraiser, selling planters, chocolates and other goodies to raise funds for the cats they care for — and to help with an influx of kittens they’re anticipating as the weather warms up.
“It’s definitely going to be put to good use, especially with the influx expected for kitten season,” said volunteer Tanya Rice of the more than $4,500 raised by the sale and a raffle at the Husky Truck Stop in St. Davids.
The sale raised $4,140 while the Husky raffled raised a further $409.
“Thankfully, we haven’t had any calls for kittens, yet,” Rice said.
The sale is one of two conducted annually by the group. The other is held close to Christmas and features holiday wreaths and floral arrangements.
“We sold 77 out of 85 plants (featured at the event),” Rice said. “We’ve given a few to local businesses (who support the organization) and we gave six to Upper Canada Lodge long-term care so staff and residents have something to enjoy.”
All funds raised by the same go back into care for the cats under the rescue’s care, Rice said, adding the group provides everything from veterinary care to its trap, neuter and release program.
Every effort is made to socialize cats brought in. If a cat can’t be socialized, they will be spayed or neutered before being released back into the colony.
“We have to reduce the size of the colonies,” Rice said.
It’s a bit of a different story for kittens, however, as the group has a small window of opportunity to bring them into care and get them socialized.
“It’s important to get them by the time they’re six weeks old if we are to have any hope of socializing them.”
To make a donation or to find more information on NOTL Cats and photos of felines available for adoption can be found at notlcats.weebly.com.
