Halifax has an extraordinary number of suffering cats.
Halifax Nova Scotia has an estimated 80,000-100,000 abandoned and strayed cats and lacks a provincial spay/neuter clinic. This means that only a handful of cat rescues in HRM are helping to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home suffering cats. Overpopulation due to the number of unspayed/un-neutered feral cats is at absolute crisis levels.
Halifax Cat Rescue Society was established in 2011 and became a registered charity in January of 2012. HCRS is devoted wholly to addressing the above issues. We are made up of no more than 10 core volunteers who devote many hours every week to alleviating suffering in our city. We rescue abandoned cats, and also help to TNR (trap/neuter/return) feral cats to MANAGED colonies in order to address the overpopulation issues. Managed colonies have shelters, daily food and water, and someone who oversees the health of the existing colony.
Halifax Cat Rescue Society remembers the forgotten, the discarded and the injured cats who don't have a voice in Halifax and aren't afforded the respect they require to be important in our city's eyes.
HCRS needs your help more than ever.
HCRS has a very good fundraising team, and over the last year (2013), managed to raise over $30,000 toward our vet bills. In 2014, we are falling short simply because we cannot keep up with the demand and the sheer number of cats who desperately need our help. The suffering in some situations is intolerable.
Our fundraising efforts are lower than expected in 2014. We received less mall dates that are integral in our fundraising, and during this summer time, there were many of our rescues and fostered cats who had other health issues like dental emergencies that required extra funds to see to. We find ourselves struggling to pay our bills at this point.
Our outstanding invoices at our vet are about $5000.00 and we are not close to paying it off like at other times of the year. Because of these extra costs incurred, we are behind.
Administrative costs,etc are donated by the charity's volunteers. We do not collect salaries. 100% of all donated money goes DIRECTLY on to our vet bill.
HCRS is a registered charity, and the tax year's end is upon us. For every donation received that is over $20, we will- in a very timely manner - issue charitable tax receipts to you to claim for 2014. IF YOU WISH TO HAVE A TAX RECEIPT ISSUED, PLEASE EMAIL MAGGIE AT FINANCE@CATSINHALIFAX.CA
Why donations are so important now.
Our efforts to rescue have been halted because of our financial debts. This halt is voluntary because we realize the importance of sustainability. If we keep rescuing right now, our charity will flounder and close its doors indeterminately. If we raise the funds we need to clear our vet bill, we open up the ability to rescue during the winter months, when suffering is at its worst. Frostbite, starvation, dehydration and death are common in winter months when cats cannot find food, water and shelter. .
To be unable to help cats at this time is absolutely heartbreaking. We have the devotion, the compassion and the network to rescue. What we need help with is funding. And we ask you desperately to consider donating right now.
There are many other ways to help.
We understand that not everyone has the financial means to contribute. There are so many ways you can help if you can't donate money. The biggest one is to become an advocate for cats in Halifax. Contact your councilors and tell them this situation is dire. A city funded spay/neuter clinic is paramount to end suffering. Respecting cats as we respect dogs is a tremendous start. Education is key.
You can fundraise! Have a work bake sale, ask your company to donate for Christmas, or ask for donations in lieu of birthday or Christmas gifts. Spread the word that it is something you care deeply about, and teach your children to care and be kind to animals.
If you would like to help HCRS fundraise by baking, sewing cat toys or even manning our booths at the mall, email fundraising@catsinhalifax.ca to get in touch with us!
WWW.CATSINHALIFAX.CA for more!
For any donations that are $20 and above, please email us your mailing address at finance@catsinhalifax.ca so that you can receive a tax donation form by mail.
