With an ever-increasing number of cats looking for their “fur-ever” home, the non-profit organization Tails to Tell is hoping to provide the best care and future for their fuzzy friends.
Hosting several events throughout the summer, Crossfield’s Tails to Tell is raising money to help with the burden of vet bills, while also hoping to find the perfect home for the kittens ready for adoption.
Due to the high number of kittens, the non-profit will be hosting the “Kitty Mart” adoption event at Airdrie’s Peavey Mart on Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tails to Tell Communications Coordinator Dawn Parker said helping a cat find their new home is something that is rewarding for everyone involved with the organization. Being 100 per cent volunteer based, Parker explained it brings joy into their lives knowing they have made a difference.
“It's like a party. We all do these cheers.” she said. “We are all volunteers. We are jumping for joy.”
Parker said Tails to Tell has taken in a high number of strays this year that are pregnant or already have kittens. She added they have taken in strays throughout the province, ranging from Red Deer down to Blairmore.
At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Parker noted a number of people were adopting pets without considering the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. Due to changed circumstances, several of these individuals surrendered their animals.
“During COVID, everybody was on the adoption bandwagon, and some people were finding that it was a bigger job than they thought it would be,” she said.
Parker also added that many cats are surrendered due to their owner’s poor health, which makes it difficult to provide for beloved pets.
“We've had some people who have gone into hospice, or who have stage four cancer, and we've taken in their cats,” she explained by way of example.
With zero funding from any level of government, the non-profit relies solely on support from the community. According to Parker, Tails to Tell accumulated over $58,000 of vet bills within a three-month period.
Hearing about their plight from one of the non-profit’s volunteers and wanting to help, Peavey Mart in Airdrie recently agreed to team up with Tails to Tell to host a hot dog fundraiser on Aug. 12, which raised over $1,000.
Parker was grateful for the Canadian retail chain’s support, and hoped it would inspire other sponsors to step up.
Parker said Tails to Tell normally hosts large-scale adoption events two or three times a year call Kitty Palooza or Cat Palooza. However, because they have such a high number of adoptable kittens right now, they made the decision to also host a new smaller-scale adoption event,
Airdrie Peavey Mart has also provided the space for the upcoming "Kitty Mart" event, which will take place on Aug. 19 inside the store.
“We have so many kittens that will be ready [and] will need to find their forever homes,” she said.
Those looking to learn more about Tails to Tell, or those thinking of adopting, can go to their Facebook page or website at www.tailstotell.ca.
