A very special thank you to Fresh Step litter for their very generous donation to the foster cats of Toronto Cat Rescue! As an all-volunteer rescue group TCR relies solely on donations and fundraising efforts. It is very appreciated by our volunteer foster families and the cats as they await adoption.
Toronto Cat Rescue has a large network of volunteers and foster parents distributed throughout the GTA and beyond, enabling us to expand our rescue projects and programs over the years. We rescue cats from as far west as Kitchener, which includes helping First Nation Reserves and working with Aboriginal Community & Animal Advocacy Connection (ACAAC) and Animal Rescue Community Connection (ARCC).
Straw Day is taking place Saturday, December 8th from 1pm – 4pm. It is a non-funded volunteer event organized by the Aboriginal Community & Animal Advocacy Connection and Animal Rescue Community Connection: helping communities – healthy lives healthy animals – not-for-profit, 100% volunteer operated.
What is Straw Day? Straw Day is an outreach initiative to assist the community with donated pet items to help bring awareness, education and increase the health and well-being of pets that are not readily available to the community, in addition to, improving animal welfare and the humane treatment of dogs and cats.
For the past 5 years straw has been made available for dogs and cats that live outdoors during the winter months. Within the past 4 years the event has included dog and cat food, dog houses, bedding and other pet accessories that help to improve the lives of animals.
This year a Pet Education Seminar will be provided by an outreach club made up of students from the Ontario Veterinary College at Guelph University. For the first time there will be a Wellness Clinic to provide vaccinations for both dogs and cats who have not yet made it to a spay/neuter clinic that is provided through the ACAAC program, through the assistance of participating Veterinarians.
Please donate as the following items are greatly needed. Your generosity is much appreciated to make this outreach initiative possible.
- Dog and Cat Food
- Dog and Cat Treats/Chews
- Dog and Cat Blankets
- Dog Collars and Leashes
- Dog Bowls and Cat Dishes
- Dog and Cat Toys
- Dog Coats
- Fencing, posts, sheathing, 4×4 wood posts for Dog Runs
- Dog Houses
- Unused pet items, including crates & carriers to be used for transportation during spay/neuter clinics.
Monetary Donations raised through fundraiser will go towards veterinary costs for the spay/neuter clinics.
***For more information and to donate, please contact Alison Bressette at (519) 636-8067.
A TCR volunteer was recently contacted by a superintendent of an apartment building regarding some cats that had been left behind by a previous tenant. She agreed to assess the situation to see how building management and TCR could work collaboratively to find the cats new homes. What she found when she arrived shocked her. In addition to 17 cats and kittens left for days with no food or water, she found Missy. Missy was in deplorable condition. She was severely dehydrated, filthy and had been eating from bags of aquarium gravel left behind. Most shockingly of all was the massive size of the mammary tumours hanging off her. A TCR volunteer immediately rushed her to a vet, where it was determined that Missy is also a senior, deaf, blind and what is left of her teeth is rotten. Further information revealed that Missy had been used her entire life for breeding. A call was made to Homeward Bound Rescue (HBR), a dog rescue, who agreed to partner with TCR to help little Missy.
After several days of hospitalization on IV fluids and antibiotics, Missy is feeling much better. Her xrays show that there are no large tumours on her other organs, and her blood work is consistent with that of a geriatric dog. Weighing just 10lbs, Missy is the sweetest little lap dog imaginable. She has not given up on life or humans, and just wants to snuggle and give kisses. Her largest tumour is the size of a grapefruit and it is very uncomfortable for her. She has difficulty walking and laying down due to its size. We do not know how long Missy has to live, but we know she is prepared to fight for her life. We want to remove the tumour to make her retirement as comfortable as possible. This is a risky surgery for her and will be very expensive. Thankfully the cats were in much better condition than Missy and arrangements for their temporary care have been made.
Homeward Bound is a small rescue and together we desperately need your help for sweet Missy. Donations can be made online to HBR through Canada Helps. Please make a note in the comments section that the money is for Missy. Any donations received by TCR for Missy will also be directly applied to her vetting costs. Missy’s life up until now has been a living hell. Let’s show Missy that they are compassionate people out there that do care about her.
Update: Pinky Pie is now in her forever home!!
Pinky Pie, a 10 week old kitten, was found abandoned in a north end parking garage with a severely injured leg and unable to walk at all. The kind couple that found her contacted TCR after being told from other shelters that she would be euthanized. Within hours, Pinky arrived at the vet, was given pain killers and had her leg stabilized in a splint until her x-rays could be done. During the whole process she purred and kneaded her little paws in joy over being saved. Her x-rays showed that her leg was shattered and that amputation would be the best solution for her. The surgery was scheduled for later in the week, and the clinic having fallen in love with Pinky Pie, was happy to have her stay as a guest in the mean time. The following day however, Pinky started to go downhill. She became lethargic and refused to eat. She could not lift her head from her blanket and her purr was gone. Blood tests showed that Pinky was in kidney failure, likely a result of injury to her kidneys. She was placed on IV and everybody held their breath over the next few days hoping the renal failure would reverse as her kidneys healed. The positive vibes worked and Pinky slowly gained energy and her appetite returned. More blood was taken to confirm that her kidneys had indeed healed and that all her blood values were normal.
Pinky Pie came through her amputation surgery the following day with flying colours. As soon as she woke up she was once again purring. The following evening she was off to her foster home, where after tipping over only a couple of times, she began to race around the house and even climb up on the couch.
Pinky is the sweetest kitten imaginable. She does not let her disability slow her down at all. She is a snuggly kitten who loves to curl up on your chest as you watch TV or cuddle beside you in bed at night. Pinky is just happy to be alive. Pinky’s vet care was very expensive and we need your help. Please donate to Toronto Cat Rescue to help Pinky Pie and other cats in desperate need of help. Donate online via CanadaHelps or click to see our many Ways To Donate page – your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Help raise money to rescue cats like Nefrititi!
With just two weeks to go, our Toronto Cat Rescue team has raised 75% of our $25,000 goal in the Scotiabank Marathon taking place on October 14th! If you are interested in joining us to raise money for a great cause and have fun at the same time – please fill in the online form below for further details.
The marathon is for all levels of fitness - you can choose from a 5K walk/run/jog, a half marathon, or a full marathon. Whichever you choose, you can take part in the Charity Challenge and raise pledges for Toronto Cat Rescue through friends and family.
Spaces are almost all filled for the event – only 1,500 spots are left and that’s to share between hundreds of charities, as well as those people participating in the marathon without the charity challenge. Procrastinators may not be able to register if you wait too long (and we would love to have you!).
More information our team can be found here.
