A fundraiser held in memory of Niagara-on-the-Lake businessman and animal lover Ian Mell collected 991 pounds of pet food and raised $1,416 for local animal rescues.
The event also collected 50 pounds of cat litter. Members and volunteers with the Community Initiative for Animal Rescue delivered the pet food and litter to the Newark Neighbours Pet Pantry on July 28, organizer Tanya Rice said.
The group hosted the fundraiser July 25 at 456 Line 2 Rd. in Virgil, bringing the community together for a garage sale, raffle and pet-food drive.
The money raised included $1,000 for Niagara Falls Community Cats and $400 for Joy’s Rescue, Rice said.
Mell, a longtime co-owner and operator of Grape Escape Wine Tours, died in May 2025 at age 67.
He ran the family-owned tour company with his son, Richard Mell, and partner, Diane Shaw, and was known for supporting animals and community initiatives.
In 2019, Mell and his family helped launch the Lights for Bikes project, which supplied and installed bicycle lights for migrant farm workers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The July fundraiser was organized to honour that community-minded legacy while supporting local animal rescues and helping Newark Neighbours keep its pet pantry stocked for residents in need.
