For RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROJECTS j'J

19
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE For RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROJECTS NOTE: Council's ability to provide a "Grant" is governed by "Pr<}'(indal ~'ftn "\ Legislation" and its Financial Resources (Section 65 {au} of the Municiral Gover~~~t1t. 1<;'\;' Act). , tt.'O 1 ,,' j'J Deadline for Receipt of Requests for the 2013/20 I 4 fiscakyear ending;O'l!\l~U{;~ ,~) March 3 1,2014, is 4 p.m., Friday, March 1st, 2013. ''( 'lAfI,.~, Please complete all sections. Incomplete applications may no~b~ '. .//" considered. ~ Name of Group: Complete Mailing Address (including postal code): (2pUalIOO C!td <S r{ Ie S(}eu~ eO. f.:>61- 60f? fort m~land) N5 J /';)OiP cRY'o '#1,060 Financial Assistance Requested '# d(J ,16'16 Current Year's Budget 6/J.st.d~" ,;l"DD C4 (If a portion of the grant you are requesting is to offset property taxes, please indicate the amount.) '74~-'~06 Telephone No. Please indicate the official name of your organization to which you would like the cheque payable: Principals / Directors or Agents £, \~e.{) (l.co.~ . Name: Position: PreSident Address: R.~· ~ (6S fl "I-f\ '6 Telephone: 7+R-lcCfIi \/G\('rYlou.th, N"6 Name: Ko..th. I ee.(\ h~er£X.IJ Position: Viae -e PreSident Address: l?.fI,.1 Telephone: ~~-OO7q ""'"10.. s k e.f J NS ~Ow3mo Name: Fne.·d.aJ fc-~ Position: &t.---rres R. R. I 74~l.- (, :3 (J() Address: Telephone: ya.:{ IYl a1J.fh, N'S ~~A 4/ts:

Transcript of For RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROJECTS j'J

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEFor RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROJECTS

NOTE: Council's ability to provide a "Grant" is governed by "Pr<}'(indal ~'ftn "\Legislation" and its Financial Resources (Section 65 {au} of the Municiral Gover~~~t1t. 1<;'\;'Act). , tt.'O 1 ,,' j'J

Deadline for Receipt of Requests for the 2013/20 I4 fiscakyear ending;O'l!\l~U{;~ ,~)March 3 1,2014, is 4 p.m., Friday, March 1st, 2013. ''( 'lAfI,.~,

Please complete all sections. Incomplete applications may no~b~ '. .//"considered. ~

Name of Group:

Complete Mailing Address(including postal code):

(2pUalIOO C!td <S r{ Ie S(}eu~

eO. f.:>61- 60f?

fort m~land) N5 J /';)OiP cRY'o

'#1,060Financial Assistance Requested

'# d(J ,16'16Current Year's Budget

6/J.st.d~" ,;l"DD C4(If a portion of the grant you are requesting is to offset property taxes,please indicate the amount.)

'74~-'~06Telephone No.

Please indicate the officialname of your organizationto which you would like thecheque payable:

Principals / Directors or Agents

£, \~e.{) (l.co.~.

Name: Position: PreSidentAddress: R.~· ~

(6S fl "I-f\ '6Telephone: 7+R-lcCfIi

\/G\('rYlou.th, N"6

Name: Ko..th. Iee.(\ h~er£X.IJ Position: Viae -e PreSidentAddress: l?.fI,.1 Telephone: ~~-OO7q

""'"10.. s ke.f J NS ~Ow3mo

Name: Fne.·d.aJ fc-~ Position: &t.---rresR. R. I 74~l.-(,:3 (J()Address: Telephone:ya.:{IYla1J.fh, N'S ~~A 4/ts:

- 2-

Name of Financial Institution (Bank): faJAA t 6-f rYlmt("e~1Address: \;S+ (Y)oln StO) Ya..rrYlO1J.tk. ft>~ft4~.2.J

Names of Auditors: NIp.How Registered or Incorporated: Fede.r-oJ (lhC{(ol ttJ, Ie... \\Sfa-.tIAS if <6.;;l,"Ii?(' 1ff6 0

IMPORTANT

the Committee~~I~::~c?I:thiS application must be completed prior to consideration by

Age Group

-3-

Explain how this program will benefit the target group and enhance the cultural activitiesof the Town,

----rk ~ .sO[U.tIDr. -to C!o:t over- papl.llatnu is ,.s~~ '"ne.uter~? ~ether' wi1L rGtlsed pu.h/.CJa..W~re:n~ssa.t\d hLdYoCU\e; e.au.co.:hih.J. c.Je. ho..'Ye.. hele(d

DYer' '1D I"e.Slt-!e.nT5 -+0 ke.ep +h-el'r pd .fe.III1e.& Or 1-0C!A-n'h.nu e C!o..,- Lllil -AIv a.ht1.rl d r7l ed ~ -tier ..eLl <!P~,

Explain how the operations will be financed or funded in subsequent years,

F/l(\dro.isi~ e\(e.n+~'J)oncQ-l~t1le.n1 bus.h~!!.

Each application must include a complete financial statement (the first year of operationexcepted), a complete comprehensive budget showing all anticipated revenue andexpenses, as well as the accompanying balance sheet for the period,

Attach any additional information you feel appropriate,

Operation Cat SNIP SocietyBalance Sheet As at 31-01-13

ASSET

Current AsstsBank AccountAccounts ReceivableHST Refun ReceivableInvestments

Total Current Assets

TOTAL ASSET

LIABILITY

Current LiabilitiesAccounts PayableOther Payable

Total Current Liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITY

EQUITY

EarningsRetained EarningsCurrent Earnings

Total Earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

2,365.880.00

820.710.00

3:186.59

3,186.59

0.000.000.00

0.00

0.003,186.59

--3,186.59

3,186.59

3,186.59

Page 1

Operation Cat SNIP SocietyIncome Statement 01-02-12 to 31-01-13

REVENUE

Page 1

RevenueMembership DuesMembership Dues 2013DonationsDonations - ClientsDonations - CorporateFundraising RevenueGrantsBank Interest EarnedRaffle Ticket Revenue

Total Revenue

TOTAL REVENUE

EXPENSE

ExpensesAnnual Registration DuesFundraising ExpensesHSTPaidOffice SuppliesTaxi Expenses for ClientsVeterinary Expenses - FelV TestsVeterinary Expenses - SpaysVeterinary Expenses - NeutersVeterinary Expenses - Other

Total Expenses

TOTAL EXPENSE

NET INCOME

400.00110.00

5,373.671,250.811,792.964,798.30

720.000.20

1,015.0015,460.94

15,460.94

28.59680.90820.72213.23

26.00

1'571'17~6,771.012,000.50

162.23'12,274.35

12,274.35

3,186.59-- -- -:-=-:..;-::-~---

Providing low or no-cost, spay/neuter services in theYarmouth area for feral, stray and pet felines

Estimated BudgetFor the Fiscal Year

Ended January 31,2014

Revenue:Bank BalanceFundraisingActivities & DonationsGrant- Town of YarmouthGrant - Municipality of YarmouthGrant - Municipality of Argyle

Expenses:

$3,18613,500

1,5001,500

750 $20,436

Office Supplies & PromotionFundraising CostsVeterinary Expenses -

Feline Leukemia Tests72 Feline Neuters128 Feline Spays

Net Income

250700

3,0882,880

14,95221,870

$ -1 ,434

Note: It is our intention to spay and neuter as many eligible animals as funds will allow, while keeping ourcosts forfundraising events as low as possible, with the assistance of a team of dedicated volunteers.The above budget would allow for a total of200 cats to be spayed and neutered.

Operation Cat SNIP (Spay/Neuter is Priority)The Community Problem, Our Mandate & Solutions

Operation Cat SNIPwas conceived to address a problem and provide a service that noother group or organization in Yarmouth County was addressing. Our team ofvolunteers is dedicated, well organized and focused on fundraising in order to providelow or no-cost spay and neuter services to people with little means of having their petcats spayed or neutered and also for people who are caring for feral and abandoned(stray) domestic cats, who seek them out for food and shelter. Our area offocus isYarmouth County only.

Operation Cat SNIPbecame a registered non-profit society on January 31,2012. Weconducted our first Director's Board meeting on March 7, 2012. We spayed our first caton May 22. We had our first annual Spay-ghetti Dinner fundraiser on June 7, 2012. Webecame a Canadian Registered Charity on July 27, 2012.

The abandoned stray and feral cat problem has always been present and animal sheltershave found themselves to be full-to-capacity almost every spring and summer. However,in recent years, kitten season has now extended from spring to summer and into fall andwinter. The issue of unwanted and abandoned litters has exploded into a communityproblem of great magnitude. It is estimated that there are thousands of abandoneddomestic and feral cats in the Yarmouth area alone.

Because Yarmouth County is largely rural most of our county's residents are targets forpeople dumping unwanted cats and kittens. Every day we receive phone calls frompeople who have had kittens dumped in their driveway or nearby ditches and roads.The lucky ones are taken in and cared for but the majority are not and are left to fendfor themselves in an environment they are ill-equipped for.

Operation Cat SNIPoffers, by application, low or no-cost spay/neuter services forYarmouth County cats. We target pet, feral and stray cats that are being cared for bypeople on fixed and low income - cats who normally would not have access toveterinary care due to the economic circumstances oftheir owners. Our future goal isto arrange regular Spay Days or at least spay times, and have as many cats spayed orneutered as we are financially able. It is the intact cats discarded and abandoned to theoutdoors that add to the unwanted cat population and continues the cycle of breeding,starvation and ultimately death.

The only solution is spaying and neutering!

In order to address the problem, we must recognize that animal shelters are always fullto capacity with cats and kittens and the public is being overwhelmed by caring for stray,feral and abandoned animals. The cat overpopulation problem is a community problemand there must be community-based solutions to that problem. Leaders of ourcommunity need to recognize the problem and devise a solution.

Unfortunately because SPCA'sand other animal shelters, in the past, took it uponthemselves to try and humanely control the problem by euthanizing thousands ofanimals each year, the communities and community leaders, by default, made theSPCA's the stewards ofthe problem. Because Nova Soctia SPCA's are now no kill,theyare often blamed for the spike in overpopulation.

The reality is that a community approach to no-kill is actually the answer.

1. Groups like Operation Cat SNIPare essential to controlling the overpopulationproblem;

2. Proper animal control By-laws must be in place (not just dog control by-laws);3. Proper and targeted humane education to youth is essential;4. Trap Neuter Return groups for feral cats need to be encouraged and supported.

Animal overpopulation is really an animal control problem versus an animal welfareproblem.

STATISTICS

As of January 31, 2013

105 cats have been fixed - 65 females spayed & 40 males neutered

48 cats came from the Municipality of Yarmouth37 cats came from the Town of Yarmouth20 cats came from the Municipality of Argyle

December 2012

The only solution isspaying and neutering!

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of eatson the streets. We can't do it without you. Every little bit helps and we wouldbe grateful for your support. We issue charitable receipts for donations ormemberships of $10 or more to Operation Cat SNIP. Please join us with yourmembership by retuming the form on the reverse side.

StatisticsAs of November 30th, Operation Cat SNIP has spayed or neutered72 Yarmouth County cats -

43 Spays29 Neuters

25 came from the Municipality of Yarmouth35 came from the Town of Yarmouth12 came from the Municipality of Argyle

The simple fact is that animal sheters are always full to capacity with cats and kittensand the public is being overwhelmed caring for stray, feral and abandoned animals.The issue of abandonment and dumping in the Yanmoutharea is at an all time high.The cat overpopulation problem is a community problem and there must be

community based solutions to that problem. Leaders of our community need torecognize the problem and devise a solution. You can help by writing to yourMunicipal or Town Councillor and MP and telling them that the provincial andmunicipal govemments need to step up, recognize the problem and providefunding for legitimate organizations like Operation Cat SNIP.

Animal overpopulation is really an animal control problem versus an animal welfareproblem and all provincial and municipal units will have to consider "AnimalBy-Laws" not just Dog By-Laws at some point in the future.

You can also help by volunteering with Operation Cat SNIP in our fundraising efforts,contact 742-6300 to add your name to our volunteer list. Your membership at $10a year is valuable to us and more members means more clout when we approachour municipal units for grant funding. Your donations are key. Without them, wecan not provide this service to the people and cats who need us most. Our trackrecord speaks for itse~... in six months we have helped 72 cats, who will now beable to remain with their owners or caregivers; live healthier, longer lives; and theywon't produce numerous litters that could end up as strays. The feral cats andstrays you see roaming our municipality suffer. There is no question about that.They prey on wildlife, cause car accidents and damage public property.

TannerNeutered November 2

GizmoSpayed July 11

Operation Cat SNIP (Spay/Neuter is Priority) was conceived toaddress a need in Yarmouth town and county. Theever-growing cat population.

Operation Cat SNIP became a registered non-profit society onJanuary 31, 2012. We conducted our firstBoard of Directors meeting on March 7,2012. We spayed our first caton May 22.We had our first annual Spay-ghettiDinner fund raiser on June 7. Webecame a Canadian Registered Charityon July 27.

Operation Cat SNIP offers, byapplication, low or no-cost spay/neuterservices for YanmouthCounty cats. Wetarget pet, feral and stray cats that arebeing cared for by people on fixed andlow income - cats who nonmallywouldnot have access to veterinary caredue to the economic circumstancesof their owners.

Join us or donate today!

About Us

Success Stories

facebook

=Instant shelter!

Elevated Styrofoam bin+

straw

Winter Feral Cat Care Tip

6 "Like"I Us on

Other great, inexpensive options: Rubbermaidbins, large covered lilterboxes, coolers used for

fish/meat shipments. Weigh down lightweightshelters with wood or bricks.

These shelters can also be made with 2 sizes of totes, one that will fitinside the other. Stuff hay between the layers, cut an entrance holeat the end or off centre on the side, and put the largest lid on.Remember to raise it off the ground and to weight the top.

A feral cat is a wild cat that avoids interaction with humans. Feral catsare the productof irresponsiblehuman behaviour,when unalteredcatsare allowed to roam freely and others are callously abandoned whenthey become inconvenient. The offspring of these cats most oftenhave little or no human contact. These are feral cats.

With all 5 of my cats it was becomingtoo expensive for me with the vetscosts. I'm a single mom & have alimited income & turned to OperationCat Snip for help to get Tanner &Peanut fixed. I would never havebeen able to get them done withoutyour help & I'm so grateful for all thatwas done to help me with my cats.Tanner & Peanut thank you too..theyare doing great & growing lots!!Thanks again so much ...you havestarted a wonderul operation & I loveseeing all the success stories :) Itwarms my heart knowing there willbe less kittens to go hungry, be cold,or worse.

is scheduled forMay 4th,2013

J• .' at thewLions Club Hall

onParade Street

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Our son was wishing for a kitty for his birthday. One night at 10 pm,at our patio door were two beautiful kittens, meowing to come in, asthey were hungry. So of course we let them in and fed them, theywere so loving. I looked at my husband and said THEY ARE A GIFTFROM GOD. I tell you, the next morning was like Christmas here.There were two happy children. We had to keep both kittens, therewas no way we could keep one and not the other. Besides, we havetwo children. One kitty for each.We just had one concern, how were we going to be able to get twocats fixed. Then we heard about Operation Cat SNIP,we appliedand got accepted. THANK YOU GOD.So now we have the peace of mind, knowing we won't have awhole bunch of of kittens to try and give away. And we areenjoying our two cats DUKE and DAISY very much.A GREAT BIG THANK YOU, to OPERATION CAT SNIP!1!

7k Sweette.t

--------------------------------------------------------------

P. O. Box 608Port Maitland, NS

BOW 2VO

902-742-6300

[email protected]

PLEASE JOIN US WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIPKindly return this membership form for our records. • Thank You

Name(s)

Mailing Address

Telephone #Email Address

Please make your cheque payable to Operation Cat SnipAs a Canadian Registered Charity, we issue charitable receipts for income tax purposes,

on donations or memberships of $10 or more to Operation Cat SNIP.

DYes, I/we wish to become a member(s) for an annual fee of $10.00 per person.and would like to make a further donation of -

D $10.00 D $25.00 D $50.00 D Other$ _

Providing low or no- cost, spay/neuter services In theYarmouth area for feral, stray and pet felines

Contact Information for the Cat Owner:

Spay/NeuterApplication

Dale: --------

Name: _

Cell Phone: _

Address: _

Home Phone: _

Postal Code: _

E-maiiAddress: _

I am applying for spay/neuter assistance in the following category:

___ Fixed or low income (please attach a copy of your latest Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada)

___ i have recently taken in a stray cat, or I am caring for a feral cat - and require assistance (pleaseexplain)

Total combined annual household income $-------Do you rent? Own? _

Number of people in household - Adults _ Children _

Have circumstances changed since your last income tax return? - yes _ no _

If yes, please explain _

Contribution:

Are you able to contribute any amount to help with the spay/neuter of your cat? Ves NoIf yes. how much? $10 __ $25 __ $5o __ Other

9112 Page 1 012

Cat Information:Name of cat: (Note: Cat MUST be at least 6 months of age)Age of cat: _Cat is: Male Female Does your cat go outside? Yes __ No __How many other cats reside in the household? __Are any of these Spayed? __ Neutered? __ If no, how many Male Female

Transportation Assistance:Can you provide your own transportation to get your cat to/from the Parade SI. Animai Hospital? Yes NoWill you require transportation assistance to take your cat to the clinic to be spayed or neutered? Yes __ NoDo you have a cat carrier for transportation of your cat to/from the veterinarian? Yes No

Additional:Are you able to provide proper care for your pet, before and after surgery? (Please keep the attached Veterinary Care Sheetwhich outlines the care your pet will need)

Yes No If no, piease explain:

Agreement and Signature:By submitting this application, I confirm that the facts set forth in it are true and complete.

I hereby authorize Parade Street Animal Hospital to release information about my cat, iI's history and health to Operation Cat SNIp,if requested.

Signature: Oate: _

Print Name: _

Limitations:Operation Cat Snip is a non-protlt volunteer organization and there will be a limited number of cats that can be assistedeach year. Applications will be processed on a 'first-come first-served' basis with priority given to greatest need.

It is required that your cat be tested for feline leukemia on the day of the surgery. Due to the above average incidences inthis area, if your cat tests positive, surgery will be cancelled.

Submit this form (along with a copy of your latest Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada)by mail to:

Operation Cat SnipP.O. Box 608Port Maitland, NS BOW 2VO

Questions?We can be reached via email at:[email protected]

Produced by Seashore Media www.seashoremedia.biz 9/12 Page 2 012

~----~_....-'- ...'--PrO~i(J;"'lI1OW or rIO-<:O!t. Ipay,'Il.lrt.f U'1'II~sIn lite

V""m,,1II1i ••re •• for tiff"'!. Sf'''':/, ",nd pel II!I•••• '"

"Fixi n' to save lives 1"2013

Providing low or no-cost, spay/neuter services in theYarmouth area for feral, stray and pet felines

BecauseSpay Neuter Is Priority!

In response to the exploding cat population in Ihe Yannouth area andthe numbers of cats in need, a concemed group of caring volunteers gottogether to try and address this growing problem. Our plan is to workwithin our local community to raise funds to provide low to no cost spayneuter services for cats in the Yannouth area. The subject of our focuswill be cats Ihat nonnally would not have access to veterinary care due10 the economic circumstances of their owners.

We hope 10 have ongoing Spay/Neuter appointments with localparticipating veterinarians and we will arrange 10 have as many catsspayed or neutered as is financially possible. In many cases it isunspayed/unneutered cats that are discarded to the outdoors; this addsto the unwanted pet population and continues the cycle of breeding,starvation and ultimately death.

Providing low or no-cost, spay/neuter services in theYarmouth area for feral, stray and pet felines

~;~ +MX 7 yearn

equals 420,000 catsltis estimated that there are thousands of feral and unwanted cats inthe Yannouth area. These animals may be the offspringof cherishedfamily pets. Maybesomeone's cat got out just that one time, or maybethe litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed.Family pets that aren't spayed or neutered contribute to the numberof homeless animals that enter shelters each year. Spay\neuter is theonly pennanent, 100% effective method of birth control for cats anda proven way to reduce the vast numbers. Pets who are spayed orneutered do not add to the tragedy of over-population, and animalshelters are not over burdened with unwanted animals.

Join us... by contributing and helping us to end the cycle of petreproduction,homelessnessand unwanted cats in the Yannouth area.

Make your cheques payable 10:Operation Cat Snip

Email us for membership information or you can donateand/or reach us by mail at:

Operation Cat SnipP.O. Box 608, Port Maitland, N.S. BOW 2VO

Email: [email protected]

Operation Cat Snip is a Canadian registerad charity and issues OfficiatReceipts for Income rax purposes for donations of $10 or more.

ALL monies raised stay locally In the Yarmouth area and wilt be useddirectly for the spayIneuter "snip" of locat pet felines.

Produtcd by Seashore Media WWH.seashoremedia.biz

Operation Cat SNIP SocietyIncome Statement 01-02-12 to 31-01-13

REVENUE

RevenueMembership DuesMembership Dues 2013DonationsDonations - ClientsDonations - CorporateFundraising RevenueGrantsBank Interest EarnedRaffle Ticket Revenue

Total Revenue

TOTAL REVENUE

EXPENSE

ExpensesAnnual Registration DuesFundraising ExpensesHSTPaidOffice SuppliesTaxi Expenses for ClientsVeterinary Expenses - FelV TestsVeterinary Expenses - SpaysVeterinary Expenses - NeutersVeterinary Expenses - Other

Total Expenses

TOTAL EXPENSE

NET INCOME

400.00110.00

5,373.671,250.811,792.964,798.30

720.000.20

1,015.0015,460.94

15,460.94

28.59680.90820.72213.2326.00

1,571.176,771.012,000.50

162.2312,274.:35

12,274.35

3,186.59

Page 1

CBRM gives group $25,000 to fIX feral cats

Feral kittens sit on a fence in the Ashby area of Sydney onThursday. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post

The Feral and Abandoned Cat Society appeared at the CBRM'scommittee of the whole this week, where committee membersagreed to redirect the municipality's $25,000 annual spay andneuter budget to the group.

The steering committee came together in the spring. Jack Coffey, one of the members of the society, said theissue of abandoned and feral cats is a huge problem in the CBRM, and the group has researched what has beenattempted in other communities.

Published on November 22,2012CAPE BRETON POST

• SYDNEY - The Cape Breton Regional Municipalityis working with a not-for-profit group to trap and releaseabandoned and feral cats in order to spay and neuter them.

"We very quickly realized that public education is one of the prime things that has to be done to address thisproblem, because it's being repeated day in and day out by people who abandon animals or don't have thewherewithal to address the situation themselves," Coffey said.

"It's not going to happen overnight, it's going to take awhile. The problem's been here for a long time, as inmost other communities."

An issue paper prepared by Rick Fraser, manager of inspections and bylaws, stated the abandonment of cats hasbecome an issue, with many cats forming feral colonies through the municipality. Abandoned pet cats havedifficulty fending for themselves outdoors, leaving them vulnerable to disease, starvation or trauma. They canalso pose potential health problems for human, such as the spread of rabies and cat scratch disease.

The Cape Breton SPCA has a no-kill policy and is not currently able to take in additional cats.ln addition to public education, Coffey said the society determined that trapping and releasing the cats afterthey've been spayed and neutered is the best approach. He said there are groups that disagree with that method,particularly wildlife associations.

Society member Ann Dunn said the spaying and neutering began last week, but it will probably be about twoyears before people begin to notice a difference.

The steering committee has conducted an inventory of the cat colonies in the CBRM and has made lists ofpeople who care for the cats on a volunteer basis and those who are willing to help.

"There's a lot of volunteers there," Coffey said.They have also met with veterinarians.

Spaying and neutering cats is intended to stabilize the population and eventually reduce it through attrition.

The society says kittens and cats that are tame enough to be adopted should be sterilized and placed in homes.

CFHS I No Room at the Inn: Canadian Animal Shelters Full with Cats! Page I of2

Helping Canadians Help Animals

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS)Federation des secretes canadiennes d'assistance aux animaux (FSCAA)

No Room at the Inn: Canadian Animal Shelters Full withCats!Tuesday, December 18. 2012

December 18 2012 (Ottawa) - The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) released a groundbreaking multi-stakeholder report today on the crisis of cat overpopulation in our country.

The report finds the animal sheltering system is at, or dangerously over, capacity to care for the cats thatarrive at their doors. Cats are twice as likely as dogs to end up abandoned at a shelter or rescue. Someof these cats are surrendered pets, others are found as strays roaming the streets. The data reveals thatcats entering the sheltering system have less than a 1% chance of being reunited with their familiescompared with dogs which have a 30% chance - most likely due to the trend in Canada to leave catswithout a collar or permanent identification.

"We need to reduce the number of unwanted cats, to get more lost cats back home and to increase thenumber of homes willing to adopt! We undertook this research to better understand the negativeconsequences of cat overpopulation including homeless ness, overburdened shelters, animal control andrescues, and euthanasia for space and illness," said CFHS CEO Barbara Cartwright. "This report compilesthe data from 478 stakeholders across the country including humane societies, SPCAs, municipalities,veterinarians, rescues, trap-neuter-return groups and spay/neuter organizations."

"The report highlighted some startling discoveries and identified that if large-scale, targeted action is nottaken, the cat overpopulation problem will worsen," said Craig Naherniak of the BC SPCA.

The good news is that Canadians like cats! The research found that there are currently an estimated 10.2million owned cats in Canada and they are a more popular pet choice than dogs. But the problem comesfrom the number of cats that are abandoned, lost or homeless. And the need for new homes is desperate.

Kelly Mullaly, Executive Director of the PEl Humane Society stated that: "The research identified thatadoption is the most readily available short-term solution to the cat overpopulation crisis. But unfortunately,this research also indicated that only 44% of cats brought into shelters are adopted out. We need nation-wide media support of the 'Opt to Adopt' message as the number one way to acquire a new pet."

However, Canadians are more likely to acquire a "free" cat from a friend, relative, as a give-away, fromtheir own pet's offspring or take in a stray than they are to adopt from a humane society, SPCA or arescue group. "This is a big reason why CFHS is part of the lAMS Home 4 the Holidays campaign," saidMs. Cartwright. "This annual initiative works to match cats with loving forever homes around the holidayseason."

But the adoption option only improves the current population of cats. For the long term, when asked whatwill solve this problem, stakeholders agreed very strongly that spay/neuter is key to reducing catoverpopulation. Currently less than 20% of the cats surrendered to shelters are spayed and neutered.

httn://cfhs.calnews/cats In canada a comnrehensive renort on the cat overnon1l1ation... ?qI01170n

CFHS [ No Room at the Inn: Canadian Animal Shelters Full with Cats! Page 2 of2

"The research revealed what those of us in the sheltering community already know; to end catoverpopulation, owners must spay and neuter their pets, even indoor cats, and the procedure must beaccessible and affordable," said Denys Pelletier, Executive Director of SPA de Quebec.

Although legislation is a commonly proposed solution to a problem, stakeholders who responded to thesurvey identified that a lack of resources can make the enforcement of municipal bylaws a challenge."There is no single stakeholder or group responsible for the problem or finding the solution- it is truly acommunity problem that requires a community effort to resolve," Ms. Cartwright said.

To end cat overpopulation the CFHS has identified many things that need to happen including moreaccessible and affordable spay/neuter surgeries, an increase in adoption rates, greater education about theplight of cats, adequate support for strategies that require enforcement (such as by-laws) and that overall,owners must take more responsibilities for their pets.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) is a national organization representing humanesocieties and SPCAs in Canada. Founded in 1957, the CFHS works toward positive, progressive changeto end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals.

To download a copy of the report visit www.cfhs.ca

~Contact:Kim Elmslie, Communications Manager, CFHS, U-I· 613-224-80720, U-I· 1-888-678-23470 ex. 12,[email protected]

To arrange interviews with provincial spokespersons contact:SPCA Newfoundland and Labrador - Simone Brown U-I· (709)-726-03010

PEl Humane Society - Sophia Ball - U-I· (902) 892-1190 0 Ext. 24Nova Scotia SPCA - Kristin Williams - U-I· 1-888-703-77220 x 228Fredericton SPCA - Karen McGeean - U-I· (506) 459-1555 0

SPA de Quebec - Denys Pelletier - g-I· (418) 527-91040 Ext. 227Guelph Humane Society - Michelle Anderson-Cameron - g-I· (519) 824-3091 0

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society - Jack Kinch - i-I· (519) 745-56150

Winnipeg Humane Society - Bill McDonald - g-I· (204) 982-20370

Saskatchewan SPCA - Frances Wach - U-I· (306) 382-77220

Saskatoon SPCA - Tiffany Koback - g-I· (306) 374-73870

Edmonton Humane Society - Stephanie Walsh - g-I· 780-491-35030

British Columbia SPCA - Lorie Chortyk - g-I· (604) 681-72710

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies102-30 Concourse GateOttawa, Ontario(ON), CanadaK2E 7V7 g-I· (613) 224-80720 g-I· 1-888-678-CFHSOg-I· (613) 723-02520 [email protected] [http://www.cfhs.caJ]

http://cfhs.ca/news/cats in canada a comprehensive report on the cat overnonulation., 29/01/2013