Veterinary clinic fundraises for local cat sanctuary

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Strathmore’s Animal Care Centre is organizing a large-scale staff-driven garage sale to raise funds and keep a vital service thriving within the community.
On July 22 the veterinary clinic is hosting a fundraiser complete with items from 15 of their staff members, nourishment and several adoptable felines. Proceeds from the event are being donated to the Happy Cat Sanctuary Society of Alberta.
“It’s garage sale season and we thought what better way to raise money than to put on a giant garage sale to attract people to come visit us,” said Jody Viste, veterinarian and owner of the Animal Care Centre.
“They do so much for our community and they’re really critical to helping Strathmore keep a healthy cat population control. They do a fabulous job. It’s a win-win situation. The community supports us and keeps us thriving, and we want the community to thrive as well.”
Earlier this year, the society received financial support from the Town of Strathmore in the amount of $33,000 annually for the next three years. The funds helped establish The Happy Cat Adoption Centre on Third Avenue, which opened its door two months ago and has already helped find permanent homes for six cats.
While support from Strathmore and surrounding areas, local vet clinics, 18 volunteers and 12 foster homes has been overwhelming, the numbers of cats roaming the streets continues to climb and the society is in constant need of funds to keep their programs operational and vet bills paid.
“We’ve got a lot more activity on our website and Facebook page, and the community support is amazing right now,” said Michele Shave, president of the Happy Cat Sanctuary Society of Alberta.
“Every dollar really does go to the veterinary fees and bills. Basically we need the donations to keep running. The town helping was amazing and allows us to do our programs that were uncertain of their future, but the fundraising helps us keep the adoption centre running and keeps us able to take in emergency calls.”
When town council agreed to award the money, the society had anticipated an intake of 60 cats in 2018. Since January over 150 cats have already been taken in by the society, including 60 kittens that have found temporary homes with foster families. Shave and co-founder Barb Stefanich also look after nearly 70 cats combined on their properties.
“We just want to say thank you from all of us at Happy Cat for the support to our community and to our vets, all of them are just wonderful to us,” said Shave. “We’re trying but there’s only so much you can do. One cat at a time. That’s what I’ve always said. And it does make a difference.”
The Animal Care Centre garage sale fundraiser will take place on July 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the facility just off Highway 1 and Range Road 254.