Craig Street Cats

Lots of interesting things have been happening around here.  Throughout November and December Craig Street CAts was the recipient of some amazing acts of generosity.  We were able to bring most of our bills up to date and had a little left to take care of some storage and transportation issues that have been plaguing us for quite awhile.

Storage has been a huge issue around here.  As much as I love my character home, I have to admit that it is sadly lacking in the closet department.  Part of the funds raised were used to buy cabinets and storage containers for all of the cats’ assorted paraphenelia (food, dishes, toys, medical supplies, towels, blankets . . .).

 Some of you already know that we were able to buy a used van last week.  It’s very nice to be able to do all the things that need to be done without having to wait for someone else to be able to give the cats and me a ride.  It’s also very nice to NOT have to pay cab fare when nobody is able to ferry us around.  That’s the good stuff.

Of course, being mobile now, the first thing I did was take critters to see the vet.  It turns out that just about all of them have ear mites.  Now, ear mites are a very common thing.  They are not an issue when you have one, or two, or even six cats.  When you have 23 cats and 20 kittens, however, ear mites are no laughing matter.  All of the cats have to be treated.   On top of that whopper, we have 12 kittens going in for spay and neuter over the next 2 weeks.  Another 8 will have to go within a month after that.

We had almost 3 glorious months where there was enough money to pay the bills as they came in, and a little left to do things that needed to be done.  Now it’s back to reality and the need to get out and do fundraising.  There truly is no rest for the weary.

I am thrilled to say that Debbie at Grower Direct has decided to continue the single rose promotion through to the end of January!  Yep, for the rest of this month proceeds from every individual rose sold at the 939 Portage Ave. location will be donated to Craig Street Cats.

This month Debbie has added something new.  When you stop in at the shop, you will have the opportunity to buy a cup of delicious Robbin’s Donuts coffee (coffee and fixings generously donated by Andrea of the Waverly Robbin’s location).  Every penny raised will be donated to Craig Street Cats.

Soooo, drop in, buy a rose for someone you love, grab a great cup of coffee, and help care for homeless cats while you’re doing it.

The past month has been just a little overwhelming.  Craig Street Cats has been the recipient of some tremendous acts of generosity and kindness, and I would like to say “thank you” to everyone that has contributed food, supplies, money, time and effort to help us out.

Like the young couple who decided that they would rather make a donation to Craig Street Cats than give each other Christmas gifts.  Thank you.

Like the expectant mother who dropped off the largest donation we’ve ever had.  Thank you.

Like  the people who see me at our information table in Sobeys, or at craft shows and run over to hand me money “for your kitties”.  Thank you.

Like the people who drop things off anonymously, while I’m not home.  Thank you.

Like the children who put their candy money in our donation cans instead of buying candy.  Thank you.

Like the amazing volunteers who chauffeur the cats, and me, around because I don’t have a car.  Thank you.

Like the people who have sent cheques or donated online  to help the cats.  Thank you.

Like the pet store that has put out a bin and asked customers to donate food and supplies for the cats.  Thank you.

Because of all these people and all their amazing acts of generosity, we are in a much better position than we were a month ago.  Although we are still struggling, most of our bills are current, we have been able to put out 3 more shelters, we have materials on hand for at least 5  more shelters, and there is about a 2 week supply of food and litter on hand.  There’s even enough to make sure the cats get turkey for Christmas

Our next hurdle is raising enough money to pay spay / neuter fees for the 20 kittens currently in care.  Somehow I just know we’ll do it.

Thank you.

It’s getting exciting around here!  Incredible prizes are pouring in from wonderfully generous people.  We have some BIG prizes, including a TV and DVD player, and some beautiful jewellry, as well as at least 12 gorgeous gift baskets, door prizes and costume prizes.  Plenty of shwag to go around!

We also have some WAY KEWL activities planned.  Remember Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots?  Well, we have the full size, grown up party version coming to the Black Cat Ball.  We can all have a turn and try to “knock his block off”!

I get so involved in planning these events, that I sometimes forget that not everyone knows why we need the money.  With that in mind, I thought I should make a list of what we’re planning to do with the $$$ raised, and why:

• pay the vets.  We have some of the most understanding, generous vets ever.  They let us run a tab, and never get upset when we can’t pay off the entire bill.  That said, they need to eat.  They have bills to pay.  We need to pay them so that they can eat and pay their bills.  Right now, we owe them A LOT of MONEY.  The first thing we will do is pay them off.
• pay off other outstanding bills.  Yep, we have them, and we have to pay them.
• stock up on medications and supplies.  Things like ear mite, flea, and worm treatments, eye ointments, vaccines, syringes, fluid therapy, etc.
• buy a used van.  We have been without transportation for several months, now, and it is costing us a fortune.  When volunteers are not available to transport cats to the vet, or take supplies to fundraising events, we have to use taxis.  This cannot continue.  We are looking for a reliable used van, born in this century, to get us back on the road.

That’s it.  A successful event will allow us to do those four things.  Please come out to support us.