One of the feral cats on the feeding route, enjoying a new shelter box

Volunteers needed for Feral Cat Team

People for Animals' Feral Cat Program is a fundamental part of the work that we do in Regina. Our team works in the inner city, doing daily visits to feeding stations and cat colonies that we have maintained for many years. We also practice trap/neuter/release at these locations, so that numbers of street cats don't continue to rise. The need continues to grow, and the number of feeding stations that are now established has prompted the need to divide them up and create a second route, so that we have two teams of people going out to feed,water, and check shelters on a daily basis. Can you help? We are looking for volunteers to staff this second team feeding in North Central Regina.

Requirements:

*Volunteers need to have a reliable vehicle.

*Must be able to pay for medium to high quality cat food when there are no donations available.

*Volunteers must be dedicated and committed to their feeding night, regardless of weather conditions.

*Volunteers must ensure that, if they can't go on their designated day of the week, they switch with another team member so that the day is covered.

*The route has about 8 stops on it, and would take about an hour on the assigned day of the week to check the shelters, feed, and water the cats.

We need cat loving people with big hearts with a desire to help these poor street cats who have no one else. It is no fault of their own that their home is on the streets living in a run down garage, eating frozen food from the dumpster and having no warm cozy spot to sleep or someone to pet them. They deserve so much more and if anything we can only be there for them to bring them food, water and perhaps a shelter so that they can survive this brutal Saskatchewan cold weather. When you see cats just waiting for you to bring them food and water it is heart breaking and you must think of them and how they will feel if you aren't there for them.

The need is urgent. Can you help us in this gratifying work?

Please respond to Leanne Toth, Director, Feral Cat Team at leanne.toth@accesscomm.ca

Thank you, and Happy Holidays.

People for Animals

A happy before and after

Patch was rescued by PFA as a very sick and orphaned kitten, along with his sibling. Sadly, his sibling was too sick to make it, but with foster mom Tina's loving care (and his Golden Retriever nanny), Patch thrived. He was adopted to a wonderful home, and is now a sleek, gorgeous grown up cat.

Interesting reading

Click HERE to read about a successful volunteer run animal rescue operation in the US.

As of this morning...

People for Animals has 84 rescued cats and 4 rescued dogs in foster care.
And, we are feeding many more at our feeding stations out on the street!
-Sarah

A busy week of rescues

This week has been a very busy one, both for the Feral Cat Team and the Pet Rescue Team of PFA. When the weather is -40, we can't delay rescues of tame cats on the street until we know that we can afford the vet bills, and that we have lots of foster home space. We have to just act.

Below are some of the stories of the cats we have taken into foster care this week. Many of them would not have lived through the winter without intervention.

*Zack and Cody: These two big gorgeous grey boys were trapped, quite by accident, by Tammy when she was trying to trap another tame cat in distress. (Zack is the long haired one, Cody the short haired one with the white spot on his neck)Although these were not the specific cat we were aiming for, we couldn't put them back out on the street, as they were clearly homeless, hungry, and in distress. Both boys are tame and friendly. We have had each of them neutered, and they are living the high life with their foster mom Michelle now. No more digging in dumpsters and sleeping under North Central garages for these two.

*Georgina: Georgina was found by Sandra, one of the members of the feral cat team, sheltering in a styrofoam cooler under a deck. She was clearly ill, and shivered continuously. Sandra took her to the vet, where Georgina was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and given antibiotics. She is a beautiful grey and white tabby, about 5 years old. Georgina was spayed, but when we reported her as found, no one was looking for her... She is in loving foster care now, and loves her bed up against the heat register. Georgina will be available for adoption after the holidays.

*Biggles: Biggles had been surviving for some time on Quebec St, being fed by a kind lady who takes pity on the strays in her alley. He is a small neutered male, with long black fur. Biggles is just skin and bones, but his foster mom Paulette is already resolved to make him healthy and happy again. He is all matted, and has a nasty eye infection, but he is already a lap cat, and is letting Paulette's big dog lick him! Biggles was found by Pat of the Pet Rescue team, just screaming for help. He approached her, mewling in distress, and making it quite clear that he needed a warm space. This sweet guy couldn't be more pleased that Pat heard his plea.

*Shadow: Shadow was seen a few weeks ago by Leanne on her regular feeding route for the feral cat team. She had been watching for him ever since, as it was obvious that he was a tame cat in distress. Earlier this week, she was out feeding again, and found Shadow, dehydrated and disoriented. He was frozen and hungry. Leanne and her sister Angie bundled Shadow up and brought him to my house, where we warmed him up and fed him. He is tattooed, although it is illegible, and neutered. Shadow is incredibly loving and gentle, with a meow like a foghorn. Shadow will be available for adoption after the holidays.

*Spaz: Spaz was found in the hallway of a foster home's apartment building. The door of the building was propped open, and he had wandered in seeking shelter and food. Spaz is about 7 months old, and is a three legged cat. It appears that he was born this way, and he gets around quite well. Spaz was hungry and cold, and is now in foster care. Spaz is incredibly friendly and playful. He will be neutered shortly, and will be available for adoption after the holidays.

We know that there are so many more out there who need help. Our hope is that we can find new forever homes for these wonderful cats quickly, so that we have the foster home space to save even more of them.

-Sarah

Thank you Regina

This weekend has been a tremendous one for donations to People for Animals! Some donors are responding to the call that we sent out on our email list, asking people for help as we deal with all of the homeless cats at risk of dying from the cold on the street. Others were in the holiday spirit and wanted to share with animals in need.

A big thank you to Mary, who donated four heated water bowls that our feral team can use at their feeding stations. So many of the cats we rescue in this weather are dehydrated.
Another thank you to Louise, who delivered a wonderful selection of hard and soft cat food that will be welcome by our foster homes. And Christine, who went shopping at Metro Pet Mart, and is spoiling some of our foster cats with her donations. Denise thoughtfully brought blankets and towels that we can use at our outdoor shelters, and food as well. Carmen, a member who is always there when we need extra help, brought food and litter. And, cash donations of many sizes! The girl guides of Fort Qu'Appelle did a change drive for us, and brought the results in to the city this weekend.

Finally, we were blown away by the generosity of the Mental Health and Addictions Team of the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, who raised $525 for PFA. They used part of the funds to purchase a great supply of food and treats, and then put the balance on our account at one of the local vet clinics.

We feel truly blessed and supported by Reginans. Thank you.