At Katie's Place the feral cats gather in the hiding places we've
prepared for them at ceiling level. They allow us to come within a few
feet of them before they skitter away. They come down to eat and play when
we're gone.
The
Sponsor
program entitles sponsors to receive our newsletters by mail, in addition
to the history and photo of their sponsored animal. People can sponsor
an animal of their choice for 3, 6 or 12 months at a time. We've prepared
profiles of a number of our animals who will probably be lifers with us.
But if a sponsor chooses an animal who is then adopted, they can choose
a 'replacement' animal to sponsor. Some of our cats for sponsoring are
palliative care cats who may carry on happily for three more years or only
three more months. If a sponsored cat reaches the time when life no longer
holds joy for him and veterinary intervention can't change that, we'll
let the sponsor know what's happened and suggest another cat who needs
a sponsor.
People can also sponsor any adoptable animal listed on our
Petfinder page (click on Our Adoptable Pet List) as part of our No
More Homeless Pets program. For $75, an animal of their choice can
be fully prepared for a new home by being altered, vaccinated, tattooed
and
FeLV/FIV
tested. In return the sponsor will receive a sponsorship certificate that
gives all we know about the animal's history and notice of his/her eventual
adoption.
Katie's Place has gone into the classroom to talk to students about
animal care and animal welfare. Groups of older kids have come to the shelter
to participate in the ongoing operation of the shelter. One team of young
people from Thomas Haney Secondary School set up a fabulous display to
introduce Katie's Place to the community at Haney Place Mall. Another group
of young people pitched in to clean up the grounds around Katie's Place
in a one day project. In each case, we focused on involving the kids in
the life of the shelter so they go home with an understanding of what we
do and why we're needed.
We've helped high school students obtain their CAPP hours as part of their graduation requirements. They work side by side at the shelter with the other volunteers.
Out in the community, local businesses and groups have supported Katie's Place in many ways, from holding fund-raising events to donating for our raffles.
The citizens of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows and beyond have supported us within their schools, clubs and offices by holding fundraisers and by saving Maple Ridge Save-On-Foods receipts and points and Canadian Tire money for us. Local artists, musicians and merchants have given their talents and skills.
At Katie's Place the feral cats gather in the hiding places we've
prepared for them at ceiling level. They allow us to come within a few
feet of them before they skitter away. They come down to eat and play when
we're gone.
Here are links to a few web sites that talk about feral cats and how
to help them:
Alley Cat Allies, The National Feral
Resource
National Pet Alliance
- Trap, Test, Vaccinate, Alter and Release
Cat Fanciers
/ National Pet Alliance: A Report on Trap/Alter/Release Programs