Published Sept. 28, 2023 4:55 p.m. ET
A cat on the Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue on Sep. 28, 2023. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener)
The Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue is trying to find a brand new home after discovering out the building they’re at present in is being changed into a high-rise condominium.
The property at 332 Charles St. E., is about to be changed into a 27-floor excessive rise condominium with 32 inexpensive housing items. It nonetheless wants approval from the Region of Waterloo, however City of Kitchener Council accepted the event at a gathering on Monday.
The developer, Vive Developments, mentioned they wish to have the challenge shovel prepared by subsequent 12 months.
“We’ve already retained our design team, subject to today’s meeting, we’ll go full tilt. So this time next year we’ll be in the ground,” Stephen Litt with Vive Developments mentioned on the assembly on Monday.
Currently, there are 53 cats within the care of the rescue. According to the rescue, they will not soak up any extra strays till they’ve a brand new home.
“We really don’t know what’s going on, other than I think we need to find a place now,” Tammy Tanner, founding father of the Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue mentioned. “Right now we can not take any more until we figure out what we’re going to do, where we’re going to move to, and come up with a plan quick.”
The rescue is run fully by volunteers and depends on donations from the general public. It has been a secure haven for strays because it opened over three years in the past. Tanner mentioned she knew there was a plan to develop the building however has been blindsided by how shortly it’s taking place.
“I knew at some point there was going to be a development here, as per our contract, but finding out like this, through social media, was a kick in the ass,” Tanner mentioned.
The rescue mentioned it took them some time to be accepted for correct zoning, and doing it once more will likely be a problem.
“If I knew that they were building a high-rise here now, I would have never payed the city to get the variance,” Tanner mentioned.
The rescue mentioned they want a number of rooms to maintain the cats wholesome and to correctly socialize them earlier than giving them up for adoption.
“So not having a building for the public to come meet these types of cats is going to be extremely difficult to keep rescuing them,” adoptions coordinator Kathryn Quirk mentioned.
The metropolis held a public assembly final week, along with the council assembly on Monday.
“It’s the city’s understanding that the landlord has been conversing with the tenant at the property. As part of the city’s notification process, a sign has been attached to the building with the proposed development, a staff contact, and details on upcoming public meetings,” the City of Kitchener mentioned in an e mail.
Tanner mentioned within the meantime, the rescue plans to push for extra adoptions and try to discover extra foster properties.
The developer, Vive Developments, mentioned they wish to have the challenge shovel prepared by subsequent 12 months.
“We’ve already retained our design workforce, topic to right this moment’s assembly, we’ll go full tilt. So this time subsequent 12 months we’ll be within the floor,” Stephen Litt with Vive Developments mentioned on the assembly on Monday.
Currently, there are 53 cats within the care of the rescue. According to the rescue, they will not soak up any extra strays till they've a brand new home.
“We actually don’t know what’s happening, apart from I believe we have to discover a place now,” Tammy Tanner, founding father of the Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue mentioned. “Right now we cannot take any extra till we determine what we’re going to do, the place we’re going to maneuver to, and give you a plan fast.”
The rescue is run fully by volunteers and depends on donations from the general public. It has been a secure haven for strays because it opened over three years in the past. Tanner mentioned she knew there was a plan to develop the building however has been blindsided by how shortly it’s taking place.
“I knew in some unspecified time in the future there was going to be a improvement right here, as per our contract, however discovering out like this, by way of social media, was a kick within the ass,” Tanner mentioned.
The rescue mentioned it took them some time to be accepted for correct zoning, and doing it once more will likely be a problem.
“If I knew that they have been building a high-rise right here now, I might have by no means payed town to get the variance,” Tanner mentioned.
The rescue mentioned they want a number of rooms to maintain the cats wholesome and to correctly socialize them earlier than giving them up for adoption.
“So not having a building for the general public to return meet these kinds of cats goes to be extraordinarily tough to maintain rescuing them,” adoptions coordinator Kathryn Quirk mentioned.
The metropolis held a public assembly final week, along with the council assembly on Monday.
“It's town’s understanding that the owner has been conversing with the tenant on the property. As a part of town’s notification course of, an indication has been connected to the building with the proposed improvement, a employees contact, and particulars on upcoming public conferences,” the City of Kitchener mentioned in an e mail.
Tanner mentioned within the meantime, the rescue plans to push for extra adoptions and try to discover extra foster properties.
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