This Valentine’s Day, consider a novel beau geste by sponsoring a local cat or kitten from within the SCRAPS (Stray Cat Rescue and Protection Society) Moose Jaw community. The ongoing sponsorship opportunity provides an ideal way to show your love for the 135 local cats and kittens that currently fall under the non-profit’s care.
The sponsorship program is not limited to Valentine’s Day, of course. These cats can be sponsored throughout the year as SCRAPS works on a permanent basis, and the organization wanted to mark the amiable occasion with a friendly proposal to all the cat lovers in the community.
“Not everybody is… in the position to be able to adopt or foster a cat or a kitten, so many people choose to sponsor the care of an outdoor community cat through different means,” said Ann Marciszyn, a volunteer with SCRAPS Moose Jaw.
Cats and kittens rescued by SCRAPS Moose Jaw can be adopted at the satellite adoption centre, hosted by PetValu at the Civic Centre Plaza. Additionally, foster kittens can be taken into a loving home until they’re ready for adoption.
This sponsorship program allows individuals an opportunity to help without having to physically bring the animals into their home, which may not be possible in an apartment or other situations. Beyond this, many of these cats live as feral animals and are not suited to a life indoors.
Sponsorships operate on a tiered system, and participants can donate based on a given dollar amount.
A community cat can be fed for one month for only $25, and a SCRAPS cat colony can be fed for one month for $50. These amounts are per cat or per colony, and there is no upward limit on the amount you can donate.
A community cat can be virtually adopted for only $80, meaning you help the cat without being physically present.
Half the cost to have a cat spayed or neutered is also a consideration, as these amount to some of the biggest expenses for the local non-profit. The cost for male cats is $100, and females cost $150.
An outdoor shelter can be fully sponsored for $100, and alternatively, anyone can donate any dollar amount of their choosing to help support the program.
SCRAPS Moose Jaw will soon be entering its TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) season this spring, and these donations will help the program take shape this year. Due to the fact that so many feral cats face hard living conditions in Saskatchewan’s cold climate, and with very little food available, helping to control population numbers will help improve the lives of these animals.
“We always have a great need (for sponsors),” confirmed Marciszyn. “We’re always involved in situations where we’re continually taking animals into our care.”
The non-profit, according to Marciszyn, is usually the last resort for these animals.
“Cats have never been an animal that has received as much attention as, maybe, a dog,” she said. “People are under the assumption that they can take care of themselves outside.”
To contact SCRAPS Moose Jaw and sponsor a cat or kitten, the organization can be reached at 306-693-0718 or alternatively by email at [email protected].
