With the anticipated enhance within the variety of felines needing assist, NOTL Cats will probably be seeking to the group for assist
Miesha and Phoenix have been busy making themselves at home, searching the window or just testing the environment, at their short-term home with NOTL Cats volunteer Tanya Rice. Purrs and paws are a lifestyle on the Rice home, as it’s for different volunteers fostering 20 cats and kittens at present being cared for by the group whereas they await their eternally home.
“We need to draw some attention to adopt, don’t shop,” Rice mentioned. “Adopt from your community cat rescue. This is what we’re here for.”
There is a gentle move of felines coming into the rescue, cats picked up as strays, others which have been deserted and nonetheless extra who’ve been surrendered to the group because the proprietor can now not take care of them. NOTL Cats does its greatest to assist all of them, Rice mentioned.
“We have immediate shelter for cats that require medical attention, or if they’re recovering from veterinarian procedures such as spaying and neutering,” she mentioned. “But once they’ve recovered from that, then we need foster homes.”
By adopting from a rescue, new pet house owners could be assured they’re adopting a wholesome pet, added Erika Buchkowsky, one other volunteer with NOTL Cats.
“It just makes sense to adopt from a rescue group rather than go on Kijiji,” she mentioned, including that many haven’t been spayed or neutered. “You don’t know if their medical needs have been addressed.”
Oftentimes, cats come to the group needing medical consideration.
“They come in with infections – eye infections, respiratory infections,” Rice mentioned.
“They’re injured. Some have had broken bones,” Buchkowsky added.
All cats adopted from the group are checked by a veterinarian, spayed or neutered, microchipped, handled for fleas and parasites, litter skilled and socialized. Adoption charges fluctuate relying on the animal. But earlier than all that, when a cat is dropped at the rescue they’re first checked to see if they’ve been microchipped. If they’re discovered to have been chipped, each try is made to contact the proprietor and have the feline returned home.
“In some cases, the owner does not want to be found, which is unfortunate,” Buchkowsky mentioned.
Just previously month, the group has taken in 4 deserted kittens, Rice mentioned. She expects that these numbers will enhance with kitten season simply across the nook.
“The cycle is going to begin in six to nine weeks, with more kittens,” Rice mentioned.
And with the anticipated enhance within the variety of felines needing assist, NOTL Cats will probably be seeking to the group for assist, whether or not or not it’s by means of a donation of provides or funds to assist with veterinary prices or by volunteering to turn into a foster for the group. NOTL Cats depends on the donations it receives from the group to go about its work and hosts fundraising occasions within the spring, summer time and at Christmas. Additionally, donation containers are situated at businesses all through the city.
The group can also be grateful for businesses who help their work, together with Hendricks Independent Grocer, SOKO Bakery Cafe, Sweets & Swirls Cafe on the NOTL Community Centre, Virgil Animal Hospital, Minor Brothers and the aforementioned Virgil Pet Valu. Anyone wishing to assist, can contact the group by way of its Facebook web page or the NOTL Cats web site. The group may also be reached by way of electronic mail at [email protected]. Cats up for adoption are listed, with pictures on the web site in addition to on Petfinder.
Potential cat dad and mom may meet among the group’s fees by way of meet and greets as soon as a month on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to three p.m. on the Virgil Pet Valu, 1630 Niagara Stone Rd. Each meet and greet will function two cats.
Richard Hutton is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with niagaranow.com
