Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
A new initiative in Lethbridge sees temporary cabins designed for stray cats so they can stay warm and safe this winter.
After finding three stray kittens, Marilyn Tollin and her neighbor were desperate to find a solution to keep them from freezing in the sometimes harsh southern Alberta winters.
“Poor little things are going to be out in the cold. I said, well, I can try to contact some people,” Tollin said.
She reached out to a new organization that was planning to make some free outdoor structures for cats to sleep in during the colder months.
“I could use one of these houses they were talking about doing and on Sunday, they brought it out to me.”
The temporary cat homes are constructed using foam coolers, straw, a wooden base and a plastic tote as the outer shell.
The Pet Advocacy and Care Team, or PAACT, runs the program off of donated materials, although they currently have 17 in the works. Tollin, however, was the first to receive one.
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The program is called the “warm whiskers project.”
For years, there has been concern about stray pets and abandoned pets in Lethbridge. As time goes on, more shelters, foster groups and advocates seem to be overwhelmed.
Ashley Richard founded Cat’s Sass Rescue in 2022 and is hopeful that this PAACT scheme, which she is helping with, will see outdoor spaces remain safe.
“If we can provide a nice, warm place for those cats to sleep in the winter, that’s better than what they have now.”
As shelters overflow, some volunteers say it’s up to the community to keep animals in loving homes.
“Sometimes giving up is the last resort,” said Brit Treichel, PAACT board member. “That not only puts pressure on the pet owners, but it puts pressure on the shelters, puts pressure on the rescues in and around. Sometimes there is something that can be done to keep the animals in the home. Sometimes that’s just a community resource.”
Meanwhile, Richard says her hands are full and the winter months tend to create even more problems.
“Anyone who rescues will tell you the same thing. This year, it just blew up.”
As Christmas approaches, he warns against buying a cat, dog or any other animal for another person, unless he is fully aware and accepts the responsibility that comes with it.
As for the warm whiskers project, PAACT hopes to have all donations sent before October 13th, although they will accept donations after that date. They can be reached on social media or donations can be sent to the Town of Coalhurst office until their closing date.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10801884/lethbridge-volunteers-craft-new-homes-for-stray-cats/
