WHITEWATER REGION — Members of Whiskers of Whitewater are proud of what they have accomplished in such a short time. Stray and feral cats are getting spayed or neutered and there are now foster and adoption homes, said member Nancy Rantz.
Back in the early summer, two sides of a stray/feral cat issue in Cobden was brought to council’s attention. While council made no decision what to do, those who were hopeful of helping those cats formed Whiskers of Whitewater (WoW), realizing the problem wasn’t only in Cobden.
The group has been meeting regularly to find solutions to the problems and using their own money, have paid for neutered and spaying some of the cats, taking a course with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on humanely trapping the cats and taking care of an outdoor colony.
Ms. Rantz said while adoptive and foster homes have been found, more are needed. She said there are currently four kittens and two larger kittens ready to go for their forever homes, or even foster homes.
WoW is now starting to prepare for fundraising, she said. They are participants in Empties for Paws. Any liquor bottles or cans can be dropped into a special box at Ron Laronde’s Convenience Store in Cobden, she said. This money will go towards whatever is needed to continue to help the stray and feral kittens and cats.
Ms. Rantz said, “We all want the same thing for our community. We are doing a good community service. Let’s work together.
At last night’s Whitewater Region council meeting, WoW was provided a $1,000 Community Partners Grant from the township. Earlier in the week, Ms. Rantz said WoW had applied for the grant, but wasn’t sure if it would be receiving the money. It will go towards the care of the cats, such as neutering and spaying, and hopefully help pay for the courses the volunteers took.
A stipulation by council for the grant to WoW is it can only be used for veterinarian care.
Ms. Rantz said if anyone would like to attend the next meeting of WoW, it is at the Cobden Today office on Main Street, Cobden, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27.
WoW can also be contacted through its email, info@ whiskersofwhitewater.ca or its facebook page, Whiskers of Whitewater.
