Meet our volunteers: Judy Howe

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Judy’s been a dedicated volunteer with Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) for nearly 20 years. She first learned about RCR (then called People for Animals) through a friend, whose relative was a volunteer. Judy was drawn to RCR due to her love of animals and says she likes being a part of the organization because it’s “all from the heart” with all of the work being done by volunteers who share a deep love of cats and animals. Judy is retired now and likes to be able to relieve some of the work for the many volunteers who also work full-time. Judy believes volunteering is a great way to contribute for someone who doesn’t have a lot of money. She likes to help out where she can, which as you will read, has been in a lot of ways!

Judy began volunteering with RCR by working bingo shifts and continues to work bingos today. She also minded a feral feeding route for about 1.5 years where she enjoyed seeing the cats on the route waiting for her — sometimes even becoming brave enough to come out and eat while she was still present. Judy felt extremely rewarded knowing she was helping contribute to these cats being cared for and having a good life on the streets.

Judy found many other ways to contribute following her time on the feeding route. Over the years, she fostered 19 cats and socialized many feral adult cats in foster care. Currently, she fosters three very shy cats who aren’t ready for adoption and two cats who she hopes will find their forever homes soon. She also has helped the community cat team at their annual winter shelter making bee.

One of the highlights of Judy’s volunteering experience has been her participation in trapping four kittens who went to a foster home and were later adopted. According to Judy one of the most rewarding aspects of her work with RCR is watching her foster cats grow from being scared, shy cats to becoming complete “love bugs” who snuggle, purr and follow her everywhere.

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This fall, we advertised a new volunteer opportunity and Judy was one of the first to sign up! She’ s now a regular volunteer at Excalipurr Cat Café, having taken on the job of cleaning the cat room weekly, in addition to being one of the regular volunteers who mind the cat room, clean litters and assist with adoptions at the café.

Every summer through fall, Judy can be found working in the Western Pizza Booth at Roughrider home games and other Mosaic Stadium events, serving food and drink in support of RCR. Judy has volunteered at weddings, marathons, the annual RCR garage sale and attended many RCR sales and information booths. She’ s often the person called when a volunteer is needed at the last minute to fill a vacancy as well. Other ways that Judy assists with the organization is by transporting cats to vet appointments, foster homes, and once to a farm home outside Regina. Judy is also well known throughout RCR for her awesome work selling RCR’s winter and spring raffle tickets!

Judy may do a lot for RCR, but we can always use more help! If you’re interested in volunteering to help Regina’s abandoned cats and kittens, check out our volunteer job descriptions, join our volunteer group on Facebook or submit a volunteer application today!

Reflecting on 35 years: The evolution of Regina Cat Rescue

Nov. 18, 2017 marks the 35th anniversary of Regina Cat Rescue’s (RCR) incorporation date, and we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the organization’s evolution since 1982 with a special edition of our Meet our Volunteers feature. To help take us back to the eighties, we caught up with one of RCR’s earliest volunteers - Pat Vogt.

Pat joined the organization in 1986 and retired from active volunteering a few years ago, but she continues to donate to RCR and practice trap, neuter, return (TNR) in her neighbourhood. Currently, Pat is a Programmer Analyst at a provincial crown corporation. She enjoys camping and gardening, and although Pat is no longer an active volunteer with RCR, animal welfare is a cause that remains close to her heart.

RCR – Our readers will be familiar with Regina Cat Rescue (RCR), and maybe even People for Animals, but what were the organization’s first name(s)?
PV – The organization started out as “The Association for the Protection of Fur-bearing Animals.” Later it was the “Friends of the Fur-Bearers” before eventually evolving into “People for Animals of Saskatchewan” – which remains Regina Cat Rescue’s legal name today.

RCR – Can you tell us a bit about how PFA began?
PV – People for Animals of Saskatchewan (PFA) was founded by Joanne Craig, who became a good friend of mine. She had learned a lot about the fur industry and recognized there was a great need to educate the public about the industry’s cruelty. Joanne, along with the other founders, formed the group to gather like-minded people to organize and lobby against the fashion fur industry; by that, I mean to oppose the use of fur for uses other than survival or sustenance. Trapping and fur-farming are extremely inhumane – and trapping also kills millions of non-target animals every year in Canada, some of them endangered species. We believed that there was a great need to educate the public, and we hoped that the public would turn against the use of fur, and in many ways, that happened around the world.

Joanne Craig (left) founded what would become Regina Cat Rescue and Pat Vogt (right) was one of the organization's first and longest-serving volunteers.

But it’s been discouraging, as fur has crept back into the stores as trim on coats, on trinkets and even on toys people buy for their cats. A lot of people remain ignorant to the suffering that any fur products entail. Even organizations that focus on companion animals often view animal welfare activities as controversial and won’t get involved, and this is unfortunate and rather ironic because some fur trim is known to be dog and cat fur imported on goods from China, and words can’t adequately describe the horrors those poor animals endure.

RCR – How did you become involved with PFA?
PV - I joined the group in 1986 when a volunteer contacted me after reading a Letter to the Editor in the Regina Leader Post that I wrote about sport hunting. They took me to be an animal welfare activist and they were certainly right about that! So, I can’t take any credit for the formation of the group, but I was one of the people that got on board early – there were only about a half-dozen members at any given time in those days – a few stayed, others came and left after a short time. I was one of the few that remained active and stayed on for many years.  

RCR - Why did PFA start working with domestic animals?
PV - Because we were a group of people that cared deeply about animals, it became incidental that we would get involved with local cat rescue. There were abandoned, stray and feral cats and batches of kittens everywhere - it couldn’t be ignored. The Regina Humane Society was overwhelmed, had no sterilization clinic at that time and truly had no choice but to euthanize many cats. So, pet rescue got started simply because here were all these cats that needed to be looked after – the cat over-population crisis was staring us in the face.

So the organizational mandate further evolved to focus on cats, again because the need was great and because of course it’s a very acceptable way to help animals, without any of the stigma that wider animal welfare still faces even today. We did rescue a handful of dogs in the early days, but really weren’t equipped to deal with them very effectively. Other groups were better at dog rescue and PFA was better at the cat rescue. PFA recognized the need to focus on sterilization early on, so it was always the priority. Because many cats were feral, and because TNR has been proven as the most effective way to reduce feral populations, sterilizing and caring for cats in feral colonies became an important arm of the group. The TNR and the foster/adoption programs started out very small but of course have grown in scope.

RCR - In your opinion, what are the biggest achievements or milestones that PFA has achieved?
PV - PFA was on hand to see the last fur retailer close its doors in Regina, because fur coats lost their popularity. For me, that was a huge achievement, even though it certainly wasn’t the end of the fur industry in the long run.

In RCR’s current incarnation and focus, without a doubt, the development of the TNR program and the large number of sterilizations PFA/RCR has facilitated over the years is the most significant achievement. The TNR work filled a gap that the Regina Humane Society simply wasn’t able to focus on, and is vitally important as it attacks the root of the over-population crisis. Also, the placement of many previously unwanted and abandoned cats into loving homes is something very tangible and rewarding that all members can be proud of. Getting charitable status as an organization was also an important milestone - it gave PFA/RCR the ability to fundraise more effectively.

RCR - Over the years, PFA/RCR’s capacity to help cats in need has grown (last year, RCR was able to rescue 473 cats and find homes for 407 cats). What do you think has made this growth possible?
PV - If not for the dedicated volunteers in all aspects of the group, whether fundraising, fostering, caring for the colony cats or governance, those statistics wouldn't be possible. Secondly, as PFA/RCR became more widely known, it gained more support and fundraising was able to grow, along with the number of volunteers. Once the organization achieved charitable status, there were better outcomes when applying for grants like the PetSmart grant. Everything is a learning process and all the lessons learned in all program areas contributed to the growth of the organization.

One of PFA's earliest logos

RCR - Do you have any favourite memories of your time with PFA?
PV - Looking at the period after PFA became dedicated to cat rescue, I would say one of these was getting the news that Canada Revenue Agency had granted PFA charitable status. It had been a long road and a big learning curve to ensure our programs would meet the requirements, to build up the governance side of the organization and to prepare the application. At the time, we were lucky enough to have some guidance from several women who “knew the ropes” that worked with our inexperienced board members, and in fact helped us to put together an actual board of directors and stayed with us throughout the entire process. Receiving the news that we were successful in our application validated our efforts and gave us a lot of optimism about the future of PFA. We were elated!

RCR - What were the most rewarding parts of volunteering with PFA?
PV - The most rewarding part of volunteering for me came from the animals themselves, not surprisingly. Aside from all the stories of satisfactory outcomes for individual cats that came to my attention, there were personal rewards for me with my own little fostering “operation” in my home. When a timid cat or kitten I was fostering “turned the corner,” getting past the shyness and fear and becoming a “teddy bear,” it was like a switch was flipped.

RCR - What were the most challenging aspects of volunteering with animals and PFA?
PV - The most challenging part of volunteering for me was in the area of governance. Organizing always comes with growing pains, and as PFA grew, it was increasingly imperative that the governance grow to meet the challenges. Policies were needed to ensure that the organizational mandate was being met, that the cats that came under PFA’s umbrella were best served, that funds were utilized to get the most “bang for the buck” and so on. Everybody who worked on the board had their own beliefs, values, personalities and ideas. Most weren't experienced in serving on a board. Agreement did not always come easily and emotions could run hot. Every policy that was hammered out was done so with a great deal of work, many revisions and in many cases not everybody was satisfied with the results, but I personally believe that they have served their purpose very well, and some of the heart-wrenching disagreements that were formally the norm, were able to be resolved on the basis of policy. Without the very comprehensive policies that were written and no doubt continue to be revised to meet the needs of the organization, RCR would not have been able to have met the many challenges it has faced.

RCR - Do you have any words you want to share with past and current volunteers?
PV - Volunteers are the heart of any organization that does the kind of work RCR does, and RCR’s volunteers are faced with a never-ending queue of needy animals and a huge job that will never be “done.” I think it’s important to recognize one’s limitations and step back and take a break if need be, or move into another area that doesn’t feel so overwhelming, even if temporarily. “Burn out” is real, and it can mean the loss of volunteers that are always in short supply. Along these lines, I think it’s important to check in with fellow volunteers to see how they’re coping, and “have each other’s back” when things go wrong. I also believe it's always very “illuminating” when volunteers from one area “buddy” with those from another to “walk in their shoes” so to speak. These are educational experiences that can help foster a better understanding of the overall reach of the organization from the grass roots level, as well as a better appreciation of every area’s contributions.   

RCR - Are there are any other reflections you’d like to share?
PV - I remember when we were once faced with a difficult decision, brought to the board by one of the colony volunteers: whether to further authorize very expensive veterinary care for a very ill cat. Essentially it meant saving her life, and by then a significant amount had already been spent, so we went ahead, even though we all had reservations. It was very costly to PFA, and sadly, this cat didn't survive. Every life is precious, and it’s in our nature to try to save every cat, but it’s also important to spend the funds wisely, and the members/donors at large had an expectation that the board would ensure that this was so. Many cats could have been sterilized with those funds. But we learned as we went along, and as I recall, this was the point at which PFA implemented a policy that whenever possible, special funds would be set up for cats requiring expensive veterinary care, so that it was clear to the donors how the funds collected would be spent. I think this illustrates some of the difficult challenges associated with pet rescue, and also demonstrates that PFA was maturing as an organization, evolving to meet its challenges while honouring its organizational mandate.

Kitt Katt shortly before she passed away.

RCR – And last, but not least, can you tell us a bit about your own cat family?
PV - I have seven cats – not that I wanted that many, much as I love them! This is my second family of cats – all of them over the years have been rescues. I have a secure cat run that they can access any time, and I have it screened so birds can’t get in. The first cat companion I ever acquired was a tiny, black, injured kitten of 6 weeks old that we found in the middle of the dotted line on a highway late one night back in the 1980’s. We called her “Kitt Katt.” We suspect she may have been hit by a car and she had to get a large wound stitched up, and she was only about the size of a pound of butter. She lived to be 29 years old and just passed away in 2014. I often think of how she certainly would have perished if not for that stroke of luck of seeing her eyes reflected the car lights!

Thanks to Pat Vogt for taking the time to share her experience as a former PFA/RCR volunteer. If you'd like to volunteer with RCR, check out our volunteer job descriptions and apply to get involved!

-Interview by Rachel Molnar

Meet our volunteers: Brayan Hill

Brayan is a long-time Regina Cat Rescue volunteer with lots on her plate! She has four cats of her own - Jag, Charm, Macho and Amigo - and a very loving and tolerant dog named Hemmi. Currently, she two foster cats Kola and Piepurr and provides ongoing care and support to many cats in her community.

Besides being an advocate for Regina's cats and a dedicated RCR volunteer, Brayan is an avid crafter, a huge Rider fan and a mother to two-year-old Lennyn. Having worked in healthcare for most of her career, Brayan knows a thing or two about compassion and kindness - traits that she works hard to instill in her daughter.

Brayan took a break from her busy schedule to answer some of our questions about her volunteer duties, the special cats in her life and what motivates her to keep volunteering.

Brayan poses with a recent rescue, Reko

How did you get involved with RCR?
As one person I was struggling to help the many stray and abandoned cats in my neighbourhood so I reached out to Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) - back then called People for Animals - for help and to see how I could get involved. I would never have been able to make the difference to so many cats without the RCR team. I will be forever grateful to all the wonderful people that have dedicated so much of their time to this organization!

What is your role with RCR and typical volunteer duties?
I enjoy helping in every aspect of this organization where I can, so I volunteer in a few different ways. I'm a community cat feeder which means once a week I go on a route to 12 feeding stations in north central to make sure the kitties have adequate food, shelter and water. I also have a feeding station at my home where I practice trap, neuter, return (TNR) as I know how critical this help is to so many cats. I foster cats whenever possible until they find their forever homes - and yes a few times have been a foster fail! I visit foster homes to administer vaccines and treatments to the cats while they are in foster care, and whenever possible I try to help out with adoption events and fundraisers. But I'd like to think my most important role is spreading the word about what RCR does, growing awareness about the cat population and being the voice for those that can't speak for themselves!

What's the most rewarding part of volunteering with RCR?
The most rewarding part to me is helping get cats off the street, getting them the vet care they need and into warm loving homes. I look at it this way - when you help animals you help yourself, and so many have touched my life in so many ways! When you know you have made a difference in the life of an animal is the greatest reward of all. Also, the people I have met along the way are the most compassionate people I have ever met.

Brayan socializing a formerly feral kitten named Piepurr.

What's the most challenging part?
For me it's seeing how big the problem really is. There are so many kitties who are homeless and hungry living in our community. There are animals that are hurt and have no where to go. There are irresponsible pet owners who let their cats out subjecting them to pregnancy, disease and worse. I've experienced a lot of heartbreak, but RCR helps lift some of "the weight of the world" feelings with their efforts.

What motivates you to volunteer?
The happy endings! And working as a team to help a cat in need and watching the cat get the happily ever after that they all deserve! Also, the faces that meet me in my yard daily that count on me for their food, shelter, and I would like to think, my companionship.

Do you have any memorable or special moments from your time as an RCR volunteer?
I have them daily! My most memorable are the feral cats that become friends. Having cats that I have worked with daily for months and even years that learn to trust me enough to help them to a better life. It absolutely warms my heart and they don't even know how much of a difference they have made in my life!

In particular, I must mention a long-time friend Mr. B! I worked with him over a year. At first, he lived under my deck and for most of the first year I could not get near him. One day he decided to let me in - I could pet him, pick him up and hold him so tight. It was like he knew we were meant to cross paths. Today he has his happy ending of a furrever home! I will never forget how this animal touched my life forever - to know him was to love him!

Secondly, the good people that adopt from RCR. Many have become my friends and send me regular updates on their lives together - this means more to me than words can ever say!

How do you balance volunteering with your other commitments?
It has become second nature. It's my calling in life - it's just what I do. I will always have time to help and be there for my feline friends that need me. I will never be too busy for them. They can always count on me as a friend who has their back.

What would you tell someone thinking of volunteering with RCR?
I would say look at it as paying it forward. Kindness breeds kindness. There are so many areas of RCR to get involved and many hands make for light work! Plus, love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who received them and they bless you the giver. I have nothing but good things to say about RCR and we would be so gracious (along with the kitties) to be blessed by your help!

Lennyn helps out with socializing Piepurr

Piepurr has made great strides thanks to Brayan and Lennyn, and will be available for adoption in the coming weeks.

- Interview by Rachel Molnar

If you're interested in volunteering with Regina Cat Rescue, please check out the volunteer job descriptions and complete a volunteer application form. Additional volunteer opportunities can be found on our upcoming events page.

Meet our volunteers: Roxanne Betz

When allergies made it too difficult for Roxanne Betz to keep fostering rescued cats, she wanted to find a different way of helping cats in Regina Cat Rescue's (RCR) care. Now, Roxanne helps out by providing orientation to new volunteers who socialize cats awaiting adoption at PetSmart locations in Regina.

Besides volunteering, Roxanne enjoys taking in all the city has to offer - bands, games, comedians, education, restaurants, family and friends. And of course, caring for her own three cats - Bello (her own rescue), Tuloos (from the Regina Humane Society) and Aero (from Regina Cat Rescue). 

How did you get involved with Regina Cat Rescue?
I adopted a cat from RCR. I liked their mission and was so amazed they are 100 per cent volunteer run.

What’s your role with Regina Cat Rescue?
I introduce individuals to volunteering at PetSmart for RCR. We review the need for cat socialization and what to look for and do while at the adoption area.

What’s the most rewarding part of volunteering with RCR?
I love being a part of something so wonderful. I used to foster and thoroughly enjoyed it. Seeing the kittens grow, the cats get healthier, and the hugs and cuddles warmed my heart. I was heartbroken when I learned I was allergic to cats and couldn’t foster anymore. Fortunately, I am still able to be a part of RCR by helping introduce others to volunteering at satellite adoption centres.

What’s the most challenging part of volunteering with RCR?
I love it, so I don’t find it challenging at all.

What motivates you to volunteer?
I love cats and RCR is a fantastic organization.

Roxanne's feline family

Do you have any memorable moments from your time as an RCR volunteer?
Every single foster cat resulted in a special memory. They all had something special.

How do you balance volunteering with your other commitments?
My current volunteer position doesn’t take too much time. Plus it makes me happy, so it isn’t much effort at all.

What would you tell someone thinking of volunteering with RCR?
Do it. You won’t be disappointed. Plus if the position you're volunteering at isn't working for you, don’t worry because there are many fulfilling positions.

If you're interested in providing socialization to RCR cats at satellite adoption centres, please read the volunteer job description and apply to help out cats and kittens in need.

Meet our volunteers: Krista Hopko

As a non-profit organization and registered charity that receives no government funding, Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) relies heavily on fundraising to help care for Regina’s abandoned cats and kittens. Our fundraising team is always busy working bingos, holding sales of every variety (book, food, calendar, tea, etc.) and hosting fundraising events - raising over $46,000 last year!

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Krista Hopko is a volunteer with the RCR fundraising team and foster program. She works as an armed guard with an armored truck company, and enjoys spending time kayaking, hiking and camping. She has always loved having pets in her home, so she felt it would be a good fit to volunteer with RCR.

How long have you been involved with the Regina Cat Rescue?
It's tough to remember how many years I've been with RCR, but I would guess that it's been around six years or so. I volunteered with the group back when it was known as People for Animals.

What motivates you to continue volunteering with RCR?
I enjoy being part of a group of people that helps make the lives of cats better. RCR has helped me meet a lot of new people that all share one common interest: cats.

What types of RCR fundraising activities have you been involved with?
In the past, I have helped out at various events, including The World's Biggest Garage Sale, bartending out at Craven, a book sale, a bingo, the RCR booth at the Cathedral Village Arts Festival fair, steak nights, and a catalogue fundraiser. I also enjoy helping to collect items that get used in our various silent auctions.

What's your favourite RCR fundraiser that you have participated in?
My favourite fundraiser was when I volunteered at the World's Biggest Garage Sale. It was an event where various people and groups had tables of garage sale items up for sale. I was helping out at the Regina Cat Rescue booth (back then it was People for Animals). I started chatting with another RCR volunteer and we found out that we lived near each other, so we decided that we could meet up for walks. Years later, this awesome woman is still a great friend of mine.

What is the most rewarding part about being a member of the RCR fundraising team?
The most rewarding part is knowing that I'm part of a team that helps to raise money that gets used to help animals in need. I love hearing success stories from people that have adopted an RCR cat.

You also volunteer with RCR’s foster program. What is the most rewarding part about fostering cats?
The most rewarding part of fostering is when I get to watch a cat change over time and eventually get adopted into a loving home. My current foster cat, Jazzy, was very shy when he first came to my place. Every little noise would spook him (even the sound of the squeaky couch). I helped get him used to the things that frightened him and he has blossomed into a more confident cat. He's been in foster care with RCR for numerous years, but I'm hoping that this will be the year that he finds his forever home.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering with RCR?
I would tell them to give it a try. There's such a variety of volunteer opportunities, so there's always a spot to utilize and help develop your skills!

- Interview by Madeline Bates

If you're interested in helping out with the RCR fundraising team, check out the volunteer job description here and complete the volunteer application.

Meet our volunteers: Danielle Gauthier Kratz

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Danielle with one of her foster rats

Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) foster care provider, Danielle Gauthier Kratz is no stranger to fostering animals. For over 20 years, Danielle has been involved with a number of animal welfare organizations fostering all kinds of pets and wildlife such as cats, dogs, rats, gophers, birds and squirrels. About four years ago, Danielle began fostering for RCR, and is one of three volunteers who fosters newborn kittens requiring bottle feeding.

Danielle’s love of animals doesn’t stop with fostering. She’s travelled to La Loche, Sask every year for the past seven years to participate in a spay and neuter clinic run by Dr. Sawa of Animal Clinic of Regina, and has even been to Uganda twice to work on projects with Vets Without Borders.

Danielle is one busy woman. In addition to her volunteer work, she owns and operates her own pet grooming business called Pink Poodle Grooming, teaches vegan cooking classes, caters food, and even has her own upcoming cooking television show on Access Communications called Danielle’s Food with Friends. Danielle was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some of our questions about how she got started with RCR, her experiences with bottle feeding kittens, some of her favourite memories as a foster, and more.

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What made you decide to become a foster care provider with RCR?
I ran into Alanna (RCR Pet Rescue Co-Chair) at Metro Pet Market a few years ago and we struck up a conversation. I mentioned that I had experience caring for neonatal kittens as a bottle feeder and she explained that RCR is always looking for bottle feeders and that got me started with RCR.

What motivated you to take on bottle feeding kittens?
I'm not sure how or when I got into bottle feeding but I absolutely love it. I'm not a good sleeper so getting up through the night is not a big deal. My own animals struggle when I foster adult animals, but babies aren't as threatening to them. I'm very comfortable bottle feeding as I've done it for so long and am fortunate to have had employers or jobs that have allowed me to have the kittens with me all the time. My friends are also very tolerant as when it's kitten time I'm always on a tight schedule and they also get to babysit during the times I can't take the kittens with me. I really believe neonatal babies should be given a chance and can survive and thrive if cared for. Bottle babies turn out to be very loving and affectionate adult cats as they have had constant human contact right from the start.

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How do you fit fostering in with your busy schedule?
Since I am self employed it's easy for me to bottle feed. When the kittens are really young, my clock is set for every two hours and they're with me 24/7. Whether it’s shopping, eating out or visiting with friends - everyone knows if you invite me somewhere during kitten season, I may not be alone!

What’s the most challenging aspect of bottle feeding?
The biggest challenge is the age and fragile nature of these babies. I usually get them very, very young - sometimes just two to three hours old. It's a very crucial time. Over the years I have lost many kittens and I cry and mourn for each one like it's my first loss. They’re always named and loved till the very end. And I’m always with them until then singing, “You Are My Sunshine.” Sometimes there is nothing we can do when their start in life is an unnatural one without mom, but we do the best we can. I have wonderful friends who are vets and help me a lot.

What’s the best or most rewarding aspect of being a bottle feeder?
Keeping in touch with a lot of my bottle babies over the years - some for 15 years. Nothing makes me happier than a bottle baby finding a loving home and me being able to visit or get updates on them. I get very attached as most foster parents do and it's always so hard when I have to part with them.

What’s your favourite memory as a foster?
I have so many favourite memories from fostering it's hard to pick one. One from years ago actually involves a puppy. He and his litter had been run over by a swather at eight days old. He was the only one that made it. At two weeks old he had to have his leg amputated. He was very strong and lucky to have made it. It was truly a miracle. Now he’s over 80lbs, healthy, happy and wonderful.

Another favourite memory is from last winter when my friend Jan and I caught a skinny, sick, injured partially feral young cat in the middle of a snow storm. It took weeks of sitting quietly by him in a quiet room every day till he finally came around. His name was Ulysses and he's doing so great now. Every time I have kittens I am the happiest (and probably the sleepiest) girl around!

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What would you tell someone who might be thinking of fostering through RCR?
Regina Cat Rescue is a wonderful organization to foster for and work with. They truly care about each individual cat and will do absolutely anything in their power to help. They give full support to their volunteers and have confidence in them and that means a lot. I have a huge amount of respect for them. I have been doing this a long time with many different organizations, and I will be a lifer with RCR.

Would you recommend bottle feeding to others?
Bottle feeding is not the easiest job. It requires a lot of time and attention to detail, and it can be very heartbreaking as some kittens just don’t make it. But to me, it’s the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. Nothing makes my heart happier than to have newborns. I live for it and am always so excited for the next little lives I get to know, even though I probably smell of kitten formula more times than not!

- Interview by Madeline Bates

If you're interested in becoming a foster care provider with Regina Cat Rescue, please read the volunteer job description and apply to help out cats and kittens in need.

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Meet our volunteers: Cheryl Young

Regina Cat Rescue (RCR) feral feeders visit community cat colonies around Regina every day to provide food and water, and to check for any new, sick, injured or pregnant cats. We had a chance to catch up with one of these volunteers to learn how she got involved, what motivates her to keep on volunteering and some of her most memorable moments - good and bad!

Cheryl Young is a busy woman working two jobs and caring for her three cats, Bella, Charlie and Nora – not to mention enjoying herself at countless music events around town with her boyfriend. And for the last three years, Cheryl has been a dedicated volunteer committed to providing care for Regina’s abandoned cats and kittens.

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How did you get started with RCR?
I knew of People for Animals (RCR’s legal name) for years, but about six or seven years ago a friend of a friend (Alanna Whippler) got very involved with the organization and that sparked my interest again. Of course I thought it was a great thing, I had cats all my life and love all animals (except bugs!). When one of my cats passed away very suddenly in 2009 and then another, so I contacted Alanna and she set me up to see Bella, my first RCR adoption. Later she contacted me to foster a little guy that was found homeless. That lasted about a week and he was no longer a foster - Boo was now my other new baby. Sadly, Boo was hit by a car a couple of years later and after some serious grieving I contacted Alanna again and made arrangements to adopt Charlie. Things had changed in my life at this time, I was divorced, my kids were grown up, I had just finished my last volunteer project and I needed something to do with my time, something that interested me - kitties! Don’t get me wrong I have a very busy life, but it was all about me. I wanted to do something that wasn’t about me. I spoke to another cat lover I worked with and asked her if she would be interested in splitting a feral feeding route with me. Neither of us thought we could commit to every week but we had opposite EDO’s and figured that it would work. I was “in” the first time Leanne took me to show me the route.

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What motivates you to keep volunteering with RCR?
There are a few things that keep me motivated. The obvious answer is the cats, but it’s also the organization itself. I brag all the time about all the great things RCR does. Call me an ambassador that spreads the word. I am such a small piece in the big scheme of what RCR does, the others who spend hours feeding babies, fostering, organizing fundraisers, trapping, vet visits … the list goes on, and all of those people keep me motivated. 

My biggest motivation is my mom. I came to be an animal lover quite easily as she was by far the biggest animal person (mostly cats) that I have ever known. She loved coming to help me feed cats and when her health didn’t allow her to help me anymore it was very sad. She passed away in 2014 and I know she would be happy that I have stuck with it. Even when it’s -40°C? Especially when it is -40°C!

What do you enjoy most about feral feeding?
Of course I am happy to make sure the kitties are fed, but back to that ambassador thing. I very seldom go out on my route by myself. I enlist friends and family if it is my day to feed. It is amazing how easy it is to find a volunteer to come help me. I have had help from BC, Alberta and Quebec and countless others from Regina. I like to inform them about the route and the cats, the TNR program and the rescues that I have been part of or been witness to. It makes them aware that these feral cats exist and there are great organizations like RCR that are making a difference. Twice I have had a mom and kid(s) come with me. It is the best. I think it is important that each generation learns how important it is to volunteer and that there are animals out there that need our help, and we get to go for ice cream when we are done.

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What's the most challenging part about feeding feral cats?
I think most people would say it’s seeing the cats having to live like they do, but what is challenging for me is my anger. It makes me mad that people are so irresponsible and have a complete disregard for the life of another living thing. They’re not “just a cat (or a dog or a hamster, etc.)” that can be tossed away once you’re bored or they aren’t as cute as they used to be or because you move, etc. Not to mention the abuse! Although challenging, it feeds back to that motivation. RCR is making a difference, I am making a difference.

How do you fit volunteering with RCR into your busy life?
I feed on my EDO only. Regardless of how many other things I have scheduled for that one day off, I make time that day to feed. Yes, it was my turn to feed on Christmas Day this year and it had to be worked into our day. Often people say “You should change your Friday EDO,” my reply is “I can’t. I feed that day.”

What are your most memorable moments as a feral feeder?
I have several! One was finding Bruce, a beautiful snowshoe kitty, a home. He was tame, but there were no foster home available for him. My opposite Friday feeder and I made it our mission to find Bruce a home. The same day I posted his picture at work, he found a home.

More memorable moments are the food fairies and the spreading of knowledge. I can’t count the number of times I have come home to find cat food sitting out on my driveway, donated anonymously by one or more of the wonderful people in my life. I have a friend who adopted through RCR and chose to donate money to RCR rather than having wedding favours for their guests. I even get asked for advice. ;-)

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The last one is a long story, but the short version is that my purse was stolen when I was out feeding! It was snatched right from the front seat of my vehicle. This led to a ton of chaos in my life. The thief not only stole my purse, she also proceeded to steal my identity and get credit in my name over the next couple of weeks. I’m far more educated now and have been able to share my experience to help others who have been in similar situations. I no longer take my purse with me and, unless I absolutely have to, I no longer feed alone. It did scare me, but I never for a second thought of quitting. The thief was caught and sent to jail. At the sentencing, they mentioned how horrible it was that I was out volunteering for a local cat rescue when someone did this to me … spreading the word some more!

Would you recommend feral feeding to others?
Of course! Everyone should get out and volunteer. It’s only a little over an hour of your day and it makes all the difference to these cats. Their lives are not easy, but this helps. I’d tell someone thinking of becoming a feral feeder that they need to do it for their reasons and what motivates them. I would also tell them to get the essentials for winter feeding - warm boots, an old warm coat, several pairs of mini mitts and a shovel.

- Interview by Rachel Molnar

If you’re interested in volunteering with the RCR feral cat team, check out the feral cat feeder job description and complete the volunteer application form.

Meet our volunteers: Jackie Kruger

RCR relies heavily on kind-hearted foster families to provide love, care and shelter for rescue cats and kittens while they wait to be adopted into their forever homes.

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Jackie holding Molly, a feral kitten, for the first time.

Jackie Kruger, who’s been a foster with RCR since 2009, knows a thing or two about fostering; she’s had more than 48 foster cats pass through her home. Jackie was generous enough to allow us to ask her about her beginnings with RCR, her experience as a foster mom, her advice to potential fosters and more.  

1. What made you decide to become a foster for RCR?
It was after the loss of our first cat Whiskey. I wasn't ready to commit to having another cat and we had one in the house and she was lonely. I had read about fostering for People for Animals (RCR’s legal name) at work on our water cooler. Really that's how we got started fostering. Lolita was our first foster cat. She lived with us for eight months before she found her home. 

2. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the feral kittens you fostered recently?
Asia is now 10 months old and was trapped by the feral team last year. She and her siblings were separated into pairs and went to foster homes. Asia came to us as a difficult case. She hadn't been socialized enough and was still pretty wild at 16 weeks old. With feral kittens, they like to capture them around the time they can leave their mom. The younger they are, the easier they are to socialize. When we get a pair of ferals we make up a wire cage with everything they need: food, water, a litter box and a place for them to hide. Feral kittens are pretty messy. They spill their water. They kick litter all over the place. Our job is to get them used to being in a house. The first couple of days, they’re in a quiet room and then we move their cage into the living room where they can observe us and be part of the household. This is about the same time they get curious about things and are not so hissy.

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Jackie’s dog Bongo watching over his “babies” in the feral kitten cage

Feral kittens are like the Tasmanian Devil. If you try to pick them up too soon they are crazy, spinning to get away. We watch for signs that they are ready to be picked up, like eating food off the tip of a finger. They will meet you at the cage door. Right now it is about a week since we got Trixie and Molly. I picked them up for the first time last night.

3. Do you have pets of your own? How do they respond to the foster animals, and vice versa?
We have two dogs and three cats of our own. They really help with the socializing of the kittens. Lily is a foster fail. She was from our first litter of tame kittens. She’s the one who cares for the little ones by bathing them and snuggling with them. Asia is really attached to our Lily. She would do best in a house with another cat as a friend. The dogs add another area of teaching the foster cats to trust dogs. We also have two little girls who love to hold kittens so they get lots of people time, too.

4. It sounds like you’re busy! How do you fit fostering in with your schedule?
We just add the feeding schedules in with all our other pets. It's pretty simple actually if you stay on top of litter box duty. Everyone helps out with socializing and feeding the animals.

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Asia relaxing in Jackie's home.

5. What has been the most rewarding part of fostering?
The most rewarding thing is when you find a good match for a cat that has been in your care. We’ve had three cats returned to us due to allergies and no fault of their own. We tell every adoptive family that if there’s any reason they can no longer care for their new pet, they can return them to us, no questions asked. This is something that we like about RCR as a rescue group: once a rescue, always a rescue. People always say they could never foster because they would keep them all. And at times, it is hard. We all get attached to one or all of them but we know that our job is to find them homes. We’re just a stopping place to get them ready.

6. What do you think is the most important part of a foster?
Our most important part of fostering is to educate others about what Regina Cat Rescue does, and the impact we have on the stray cats and feral colonies in Regina by taking them into our homes and giving them a chance at a better life.

7. What would you tell someone who’s thinking of fostering through RCR?
I’d tell them it's rewarding work. At the end of the day, you can make a difference in that one cat’s life. In the end, we let them go because it makes room for us to help the next one.

If you’re interested in applying to foster a cat or have more questions about fostering, email us at reginacatrescue@gmail.com.

- Interview by Madeline Bates

Editor's note - Since this interview Molly and Trixie have been adopted, and Jackie and her family have decided to official adopted Asia as their own.