PET VALU in Simcoe, located inside the plaza at 174 Queensway East, is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, for Simcoe and District Humane Society (SDHS) and Purrfect Companions of Norfolk Cat Rescue and Adoption.
SDHS president Cathie Hosken said the group will attend the fundraiser by hosting a BBQ and bringing animals for adoption, including dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, and rabbits. They also plan to sell crafts, used pet goods, and Helping Paws 50/50 tickets.
“We usually have a table with crafts set up and little things you can’t buy at the pet store,” Ms. Hosken explained. Available items may include kids’ activity books and crafts, such as needlework, flyswatters, bookmarks, and toy mice.
“We get really excited when we go to stores in our area because we get to see people who have adopted our pets,” she said.
Ms. Hosken expressed the organization is grateful to Pet Valu in Simcoe for its support. “Pet Valu is always so very generous to us,” she said.
SDHS has been busy helping animals in the area this year. Ms. Hosken estimated they’ve cared for over 150 cats and kittens, more than 30 dogs and puppies, and other animals, such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
She said the organization has a high number of animals and sees more coming from deceased owners and people choosing to give away their pets than in the past.
Some of their needs are enrichment toys for rabbits, OxBow rabbit food, dog training pads, paper rabbit bedding, Performatrin cat food, cat toys, and non-clumping, unscented litter. Enrichment toys for rabbits are “really important because [rabbits] go through their toys very quickly.”
Unfortunately, it’s increasingly costly to pay for the care animals need. Ms. Hosken estimated that SDHS has already spent $48,000 on veterinary bills and medical services for animals this year.
“Every time I turn around it’s a large bill,” she said.
“Not only has the cost gone up, but we are seeing more extreme cases of everything. Everybody we’re bringing in this year [needs significant care].”
SDHS has also seen animal diseases sweep through its shelter this year. “It’s just one thing after another. It keeps you on your toes,” she said.
But caring for animals in need is what SDHS does, and the group embraces it. “We help those that can’t help themselves—the most in distress,” Ms. Hosken said.
She also expressed gratitude toward SDHS’s young staff and volunteers, saying they are “wonderful” people and “so genuine—like they really do want to help.”
SDHS plans to hold a BBQ and yard sale at their 24 Grigg Drive location in Simcoe on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, to support ongoing fundraising efforts.
For more information about the organization, to apply to volunteer for, or to donate funding to SDHS, visit their website, simcoedhumane.ca/. Additional information is available on SDHS’s Facebook group at facebook.com/SimcoeDistrictHumaneSociety/.
Purrfect Companions’ pressing needs
PURRFECT Companions representative Vicky Lachine said the organization will “have a craft table selling various types of items” at Pet Valu’s fundraiser. They will also bring “information about the shelter, volunteer applications and information about adoptions.”
Ms. Lachine said the group had 413 cats and kittens in their care at the end of April. They’ve taken in more than 30 kittens since Easter, which is “a huge undertaking” because volunteers must syringe feed the kittens every two hours.
“The shelter is a large organization with an extremely busy day-to-day operation,” she said. They are at capacity and have a waitlist to accept cats and kittens, though they receive requests to take in new cats daily.
“The calls are never-ending, and we take them in when we have space,” she explained. “We try and help everybody but the [cats] that get priority are sick and abandoned.”
The organization has given up 211 cats for adoption this year. Ms. Lachine said they have adoptions almost daily but take in more cats than they give up monthly. Cats only leave once spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and completely healthy.
Some cats take longer to adopt than others, depending on their needs and the capabilities of adopters. “It just depends on the person—whether they can provide the necessary care. But there’s never a shortage of cats to adopt,” she said.
The organization also bears “the brunt of all the phone calls” about local feral cats. With so many cats and kittens to care for, “it’s important that we get the chance to go to Pet Valu for this fundraiser.”
Ms. Lachine said their most pressing needs are funding and volunteers. Volunteers clean the shelter twice daily, changing litter, washing floors and dishes, and more.
“The largest need the shelter has is of course funds, however, we are in need of volunteers to clean at the shelter, foster homes, [and] drivers for vet appointments to name a few,” she explained.
“The fundraiser will help the shelter mostly by raising awareness. The shelter constantly advocates for [spaying and neutering cats] to help control the overpopulation of cats in Norfolk. As well any funds raised will go directly to benefit the cats.”
Ms. Lachine said Purrfect Companions has an Amazon wish list of needed items. Items on their wish list include small (25L), tall (45L), and regular (74L) Glad garbage bags, unscented Huggies baby wipes, large Ziploc freezer bags, paper towels, Pet-Ag kitten milk replacer, and both washable and disposable pet diapers.
Fortunately, the group receives assistance from local volunteers and pet stores. But she said it’s “a constant job” to advocate for their cats’ needs.
To learn more about or to volunteer for the organization, visit purrfectcompanions.ca. A link to their Amazon wish list is available through their Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/754419531235013/.
Originally published May 22, 2024
