PFA E-Bulletin Volume 5 (April 2009)
/In this issue:
- Upcoming PFA Events
- Volunteers Needed
- Membership Renewal
- Update on Feral Cat Colonies
- Animal Rescue Update
- Pet Safety Reminder
- A Big Thank You
UPCOMING PFA EVENTS
Fundraising Potluck Supper and Silent Auction - May 2
Our next fundraising vegetarian potluck supper will be held on May 2nd at the Cathedral Village Neighbourhood Centre. Admission is $10 plus a dish for the potluck, with all proceeds going directly to support our rescued animals.
Cathedral Village Arts Festival Street Fair - May 23
People for Animals will once again be participating in the Cathedral Village Festival Street Fair to be held May 23. We will be promoting our cause and selling homemade pet treats, catnip toys and arts/crafts. Please come out to support us at this fun event!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Fundraising Bingos
Fundraising bingos are providing a huge boost to People for Animals' efforts to help animals in our community, enabling us to pay for sterilizations and veterinary care for rescued cats. However, we need to recruit 6-9 volunteers for every bingo to continue this work. We are currently seeking volunteers for the following dates:
Sun. April 19 6pm to midnight. The shifts are: 5:30pm to 9pm, and 8:30pm to Midnight
Sat. May 2 12-6. The shifts are 11:30-3, and 2:30-6pm.
If you are willing to volunteer to work a shift at one of these bingos, please contact Sarah at badbunnygirl@hotmail.com or 565-1860.
World's Biggest Garage Sale - April 25th
People for Animals participates in this annual event and has found it to be an excellent fundraiser. We need volunteers to work shifts at the sale and donations of items to sell, and of course, bargain
shoppers! Please contact Sarah at badbunnygirl@hotmail.com or 565-1860 regarding donations or volunteering.
2nd Annual Prize Raffle
People for Animals is pleased to conduct our 2nd Annual Prize Raffle - first prize is a pet portrait by acclaimed artist Marsha Kennedy. There are many other great prizes as well. Tickets are $2 each and are available through PFA Board members, at any of the upcoming events listed in this bulletin, or by contacting us at saskpeopleforanimals@gmail.com. We also need some volunteers to sell tickets in our community, so if you can help by selling tickets to family, friends, coworkers, or clients, please contact Denise at denbur@sasktel.net or 522-2330.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
PFA memberships expired at the end of December. Please renew your membership for 2009 if you haven't already done so. You can renew your membership safely and easily on our website using Paypal.
UPDATE ON FERAL CAT COLONIES
A new feral feeding route was established in North Central Regina in January with seven feedings stations, including the infamous "Dodge City" - a collection of rusted out trucks that provide shelter for at least eight feral cats. With the onset of spring and warmer weather, the feral team is out in full force to implement a Trap, Neuter, Release program for these new colonies. Trapping and sterilizing has already begun, with a particular focus on females.
The new route is working out well, thanks to a new crop of dedicated volunteers who head out to feed and water these cats, even in the worst of the winter cold. Two new team members even constructed insulated water dishes to help prevent the water bowls from freezing so quickly. The cats on this route are waiting every day when the feeders show up, so we know that we are making a huge difference in this area. If you would like to make a donation to assist with the sterilization drive on the new feral route, please visit our website at www.people4animals.ca to donate on-line. Donations can also be sent to: PO Box 33066, Cathedral Postal Outlet Regina, SK. S4T 7X2
ANIMAL RESCUE UPDATE
Those of you who have attended our potlucks and other events will be familiar with the story of Midnight, a sweet, loving rescue cat with a hernia that required surgery. We have been collecting donations since last fall to raise the necessary funds for the surgery and recently reached our goal. We were about to proceed with the surgery, but at the pre-surgery examination, the vet determined that the surgery was no longer necessary and Midnight would be just fine. So, Midnight got lucky.
Unfortunately, we have a recently rescued kitten who is not so lucky. Angel, a 10-week old kitten, was found in early March nearly frozen to death and suffering from horrific injuries that the vet said were deliberately inflicted, including a cuts, bruises, a broken tail, and skin torn away from her jaw.
Angel's injuries were serious and we simply could not delay her surgery until we had the funds. Thankfully, her surgery was performed at the end of March, and she is on her way to a full recovery, thanks to the TLC provided in her caring foster home. We have decided to use the funds raised for Midnight towards Angel's surgery and hope that those of you who donated support this decision. If you have any questions or concerns about how your donation for Midnight was allocated, please contact us at saskpeopleforanimals@gmail.com and we will respond to your inquiry. If you would like to read about Angel's recovery, please visit our blog at http://www.pfasask.blogspot.com
PET SAFETY
With Easter just around the corner, please remember that Easter lilies are very toxic for cats and can cause death quickly. To learn more about plants that are toxic to cats and dogs, click this link to the
Merck Veterinary Manual: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/212702.htm
Your home may contain many hazards to your pets that you don't even realize exist. PETCO publishes a Basic Feline Care Sheet that advises of the following hazards:
Chemicals: Antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol has a sweet taste that attracts animals but is deadly if consumed; chemicals used on lawns and gardens, such as fertilizer and plant food; rodent poisons and insecticides are one of the most common sources of poisoning; and de-icing salts used to melt snow and ice are paw irritants that can be poisonous if licked off the paws.
Food: Chocolate, grapes and raisins are toxic to cats; human medication such as painkillers, cold medicines, vitamins, diet pills and other medication can all be toxic to animals, and leftovers such
as chicken bones easily shatter and can stab or choke a cat.
Other Common Items: aluminum foil, corks and balls of cellophane all are tremendously appealing to a cat, but can be a choking hazard. String, yarn, rubber bands, coins and even dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation; toys with removable parts (squeaky toys, or stuffed animals with plastic eyes, and ribbons) can pose a choking hazard to your cat (use toys no smaller than a ping-pong ball to avoid choking); reclining chairs and other foldout furniture can be hazardous to your cat if she decides to crawl inside for a nap while someone pulls it out; warm places like your dryer can be dangerous if left open, and stuffed toys, if ripped apart can be dangerous.
*Info provided by SKU 983616 © 2004, PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. All rights reserved. (0815)
A BIG THANK YOU!
PFA would like to thank Bob Balycky for donating a digital camera that will allow our foster home management team to take pictures of our adoptable cats and dogs for advertisements and adoption posters, as well as for use at our events such as potlucks and other fundraising events.
