Animal charity receives large donation

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Published on Thursday, January 26, 2017

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

Local charity Cats TNR & Rescue got a nice surprise last month, a $2,000 donation.  The unexpected donation came with being recognized with a Rescue of Choice award by a subdivision of The Laing Family Foundation, as part of their 2016 Animal Lives Matter campaign. The award is funded by Gateway Coin.

The award was a welcome donation to the organization, which works to alleviate the feral cat population in the Neepawa area. They run a trap, neuter and return program, as well as a rehabilitation and adoption program for felines suited to a less feral life. Since it was founded in 2012, Cats TNR has rescued and helped over 339 cats and kittens. 

Along with the award, a letter was sent thanking the organization for the “passion and heart” shown to the animals in their care. It also notes that the award is given to the province’s top ranking animal rescues and shelters in 2016 and takes under consideration all of the organizations’ animal welfare projects last year. Linda Desjardins, one Cats TNR’s founding members said, “We were very honoured… [It’s] a testament to the hard work and dedication of our rescue.”

Cats TNR was started in 2012 by Desjardins and Chantel Boersma and has grown to add Martha Bennett, Brandi Falk and Lise McQuarrie to their core team. In addition, the group relies on a small army of volunteers, who help with fundraisers, donate time and transportation to their rescue cats and provide the foster homes essential to the adoption program.

Next month, Cats TNR will be running an online auction fundraiser in order to help more cats and kittens in the Neepawa area.