2012 C.A.R.E.S. Annual Report

2012
ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the President ………………. page 2
C.A.R.E.S. Board of Directors ……………. page 3
Our Generous Supporters .......................... page 4 - 5
Fundraising and Events ............................. page 6 - 8
Our Volunteers ...……………………………. page 9
Revenue & Expenses .…………….............. page 10
Shelter Report ..…………………………….. page 11
2012 Featured Cat …………………………. page 12 - 13
The End Result ........................................... page 14 - 16
Please help us find a home for sweet Zoe.
1
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
It is with great pleasure that the Board of Directors presents to you the 2012 Annual Report of
Canadian Animal Rescue and Extended Shelter – C.A.R.E.S.
In 2012 we made great strides in many areas due to the support of our dedicated volunteers,
without whom we could not continue. Volunteers contribute over 100 hours a week at the
shelter and the PetSmart Adoption Center while other volunteers contribute time on fundraising
and administration.
During the year we admitted over 400 cats and kittens and found new homes for over 350 cats
and kittens. Our shelter manager Lauralee, her assistant Teena and our vet, Dr. Bath of the
Willowbrook Animal Hospital all ensure that our animals get the best care we can possibly
provide for them.
We have been in our premises since December 2003 and it was in need of some repairs. With
donated paint from M & L Painting Ltd. and donated labour from Deloitte, Chartered
Accountants, we repainted the entire shelter. It was wonderful to have such a young and
vibrant group to work with. We also replaced the cabinets in the main shelter and hospital as
well as tiled some walls. It looks great!
As always, the fundraising committee comprised of Clive Ellis, Carole Giesbrecht, Donna
Healey-Ogden, Anne Salomon, Allison Burton, Marian Haney, Chris Briner and myself have
continued to work to raise money so we can continue to operate. This year we received a grant
from the Langley Kinsmen in the amount of $26,460.00 to start a Trap, Neuter, and Release
(TNR) program. It is estimated, based on the almost 130,000 people living in the Township and
City of Langley, that there are at least 6,000 stray, abandoned community cats in our area. TNR
is the method of humanely trapping these cats, having them spayed or neutered, vaccinated and
then returning them to their colony/farm to live out their lives. TNR has been shown to be the
least costly, as well as the most efficient and most humane way of stabilizing feral/community
cat populations. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Langley Kinsmen for realizing that there is a
problem and for their willingness to being a part of the solution.
Looking back, 2012 has been a great year for C.A.R.E.S. and looking ahead, we have challenges
facing us but we believe we can meet them. In the end, it is about the welfare of the cats and our
ability to help the animals within our community.
In closing, I would like to extend a big thank you to the staff, volunteers, donors and members
for supporting our Society and for loving the cats. We look forward to a bright future, knowing
that we can continue our mission with the help of so many supporters. Again, thank you
everyone.
Carol Briner
President
2
C.A.R.E.S. 2012/2013 DIRECTORS
Elaine Taschuk
Carol Briner
Secretary
President & Treasurer
Lisa MacDonald
Marian Haney
Director
Past-President
Clive Ellis
Cynthia Kereluk
Director - Fundraising
Director
Donna Healey-Ogden
Vice-President
Susan Kusher
Director
Chris Kasdorf
Director-Maintenance
3
OUR SUPPORTERS
I am always amazed by the generosity of our supporters. Their love for the animals we help is
truly wonderful.
I wish to thank the fundraising committee and other fundraising volunteers for their continued
work at organizing all our events. These volunteers are instrumental in ensuring the continued
success of our Society.
This year, the BC Gaming Commission reinstated funding for animal rescue organizations. We
received funding in the amount of $25,700 and we must give a big thank you for this.
RUTH AND RAY WESENBERG: Ray & Ruth came by and asked us what we needed in 2012.
We had plans to extend the shelter and have an outdoor cat run. In addition, we wanted to
spruce up the shelter with a fresh coat of paint and new kitchen and hospital cupboards. Ruth
and Ray provided the funds for these projects. Thank you, for your continued support.
I am pleased to let you know that the painting and installation of the cupboards have been
completed and the shelter looks great. The outdoor run is expected to be completed in the
summer of 2013.
ALLISON BURTON: Allison’s employer, Deloitte, has a program where their entire staff
provides one day a year to the charitable organization of choice; Allison arranged for C.A.R.E.S.
to be on the list. These able bodied young people came in to paint and make the shelter look
brand new. Thank you, Allison.
BARB SEWELL: Over the years Barb has given us much needed funding. She has told me that
she loves the animals and the way in which the C.A.R.E.S. volunteers and staff look after the
cats. Thank you, Barb.
CYNTHIA KERELUK AND PAUL ROGERS: Cynthia and Paul pledged a large sum at the 2012
Walk-a-thon making it the best ever and they gave generously during the year. On a trip to
Summerland in 2012 Cynthia gave Lauralee and I a tour through the Summerland shelter that
she and her husband are supporting by starting a thrift store to raise money.
CHERYL LARSON: Every year for the past 7 years, Cheryl has given a generous annual
contribution. Cheryl loves animals and we thank her for her continued support.
ROYAL CANIN: Royal Canin supplies all the dry food to the shelter under their shelter feeding
program. They also provide each person who adopts a cat with free food and coupons. Royal
Canin produces a quality product and we are lucky to have their support.
..
Carol Briner,
Treasurer
Angel is still looking
for a forever home
Can you help Rooney
find a new family?
4
OUR SUPPORTERS ….continued
Lastly, we give recognition to some of our other generous individual and corporate supporters.
CCONTINUE
Without their help, we would be very hard pressed to provide the level of care to the cats that we
currently do.
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Arlene Fletcher
Steve & Brigette Cuthill
Bernie Rumley & Anne Plunkett-Rumley
Susan McInnes
Caroline and Alexandra Halladay
Deanna Devitt
Dorlies and Franz Geh
Robert and Joann Novak
Marlene McCreadie
Dena Ross
Linda Davies
Lisa Renaud
Chris & Carol Briner
Eric Perkins
Anne & Steen Salomon
Caroll & Bill Giesbrecht
Barbara Healey-Ogden
Chris Pauwels
Louise Wyse
Jules and Pat Briner
Ron Roddick
Marlene MacKenzie
Jean Almgren
Jim Weir
Hans Splinter
Margaret Scherba
Diane Anthony
Maureen McCall
Clive and Pat Ellis
Donna Healey-Ogden
Amber Briggs
Tracy Lockett
Luise Hartstock
Pam Nelson
Sylvia Gray
Lauralee Porter
Robert Gouroff
Kathleen Dell
Melinda McGraw
CORPORATE AND OTHER DONORS
PetSmart Charities of Canada Inc.
Estate of Kathleen Meadows
Commonwealth Insurance Company & Suzanne Jensen
Peter Mielzynski Agencies Ltd
Provincial Employees Community Services Fund
Brenda Storey
W & M Pet Supplies Ltd and Tricia Williams
Country Lumber
Willowbrook Animal Hospital, Dr. Gurpreet Bath and staff
City of Langley
CIBC Employee Ambassador Program and Lynn Hewitt
Magnum Fabricators
PRL Pacific Reconstruction Ltd
A & A Tire
EDS Pumps & Water Treatment Ltd
Langley Kinsmen
Ladies Auxiliary- Canadian Legion – Aldergrove
Langley Heritage Society
Loblaws Inc, Community Investment program, on behalf of their employee Muriel Chimiuk
Telus Charitable Giving Program, employees, Brian Burkhardt, Cristina Simpson, David Mason
5
FUNDRAISING & EVENTS
CCONTINUE
Paul Rodgers Concert
2012 Walk-a-thon
6
FUNDRAISING & EVENTS….continued
The C.A.R.E.S. Fundraising and Events Committee is focused on the continued growth of our
charitable mission, which is to rescue, shelter and find loving homes for stray, abandoned and
unwanted cats.
To this end, we see fundraising as an ongoing process, and are so thankful for all of our
supporters who continue to volunteer their time and money so that we can continue to meet the
needs of the cats and the people in our community.
2012 saw new opportunities for growth and one of our highlights was a donation from the
Langley Kinsmen for the “Langley Kinsmen TNR Program”. We received a grant in the amount
of $26,460 given specifically for a Trap, Neuter and Release Program (TNR). With the number of
community cats and kittens growing alarmingly, there is an increasing need for this in our area.
The program is now in place, actively helping with the reduction of kittens born in “the wild”.
General Fundraising grew to a net income of $71,420, an increase of 23%.
Your Fundraising Committee continued to plan and successfully executed many events over the
course of the year:
Fun Bowling Night, Meat Draws, Walk-a-thon, Night at the Races, Pet Photos with Santa
Claws; PetSmart Adopt-a-thons, Annual Garage Sales, Love-a-cat Campaign and Flat Roof
Manor wine promotion.
A highlight in 2012 was a concert given by Paul Rodgers, who, with his wife Cynthia, so
generously donated over $6,000 to C.A.R.E.S. from the concert proceeds.
In closing, I am pleased to report the continued
expansion of our fundraising efforts into fresh and new
opportunities. None of this would be possible without
the ongoing support, advice and many hours of
volunteering
from
our
dedicated
Fundraising
Committee members, Carol Briner, Marian Haney,
Donna Healey-Ogden, Caroll Giesbrecht, Allison
Burton, Chris Briner and Anne Salomon.
Also thanks to our many volunteers at the shelter, and
to you, our members, who have been so generous
during the past year.
Clive Ellis
Chair - Fundraising Committee
Bridget is still waiting
for her forever home.
Can you help?
7
FUNDRAISING & EVENTS….continued
CCONTINUE
Kinsmen Grant
Wine Promotion
Santa Claws
Gaming Night
Garage Sale
8
VOLUNTEERS
According to the recently released report by the Canadian Association of Humane Societies on
the crisis of the overpopulation of cats in Canada, it is estimated that there are more than
600,000 homeless cats in shelters that did not find homes in 2011.
Our goal at C.A.R.E.S. is to be part of the solution to this problem. We ensure that every cat we
adopt out is already spayed/neutered. We also screen adopters to ensure that the cats will be
going to homes with guardians that will responsibly care for their new pets. In addition, we
practice TNR (trap, neuter, release) to help reduce the number of kittens being born in the wild.
We cannot successfully do what we do without the help of good volunteers. Their help makes all
the difference to the success of our mission.
Being a volunteer is extremely rewarding, educational and exciting. You can have a huge
impact on the lives of homeless animals. In many cases, this is the first time someone has really
cared for them.
It has been said many times that an organization is only as strong as its volunteers and
members.
The volunteer base for C.A.R.E.S. continues to be strong with approximately 90 people
performing a variety of tasks. There is a Board of Directors handling administration, a
fundraising and event committee, volunteers who are cleaning and caring for the cats at the
shelter, volunteers who are fostering cats and kittens in their homes, volunteers who are
handling communications via website upkeep and issuance of newsletters and lastly, volunteers
who are helping to find new loving homes for the cats in our care.
Without the dedication and hard work of these 90 people, it would be very difficult to fulfill the
mission of C.A.R.E.S. which is to rescue, shelter, and find homes for stray, abandoned and
unwanted cats.
On behalf of the C.A.R.E.S. staff and Board of Directors, I would like to thank each and every
one of you who contribute your valuable time to making a difference in the lives of the homeless
cats that come to the C.A.R.E.S. shelter. Without volunteer power, C.A.R.E.S. would not be able
to help the animals in the community that so desperately need us.
Susan Kushner
Volunteer Coordinator
Joanne and April
Linda and Scarlet
9
2012 REVENUE & EXPENSES
Gaming Grant
11%
Kinsmen Grant
1%
Investment income
.8%
Petsmart Charities
3%
Donations
32 %
Fundraising
32%
Membership
.7%
REVENUE
Adoption Fees
19%
Grants Other
.5%
Utilities
5%
Supplies
2%
Promotions
2%
Office & Printing
2%
Rent
3%
Amortization
2%
Insurance & Bank
1%
Wages &
Reimbursements
30%
Veterinary Care
38%
Repairs & Maintenance
2%
EXPENSES
Kinsmen TNR program
1%
Litter
3%
Food
9%
10
THE SHELTER
In a speech she delivered in late 1992, Queen Elizabeth stated that ‘it was not a year which I
shall look back with undiluted pleasure”. She then went on and further described it as an
“Annus Horribilis” which translated means a horrible year. In her case, one of the things she
was referring to was the recent fire at her beloved Windsor Castle.
As for me, 2012 is not a year which I will fully look back upon with undiluted pleasure.
Although we were successful on many fronts, we faced a number of challenges during the year.
In 2012, we saw more cases of abandoned and stray cats than I can ever remember in previous
years. The shelter took in 443 cats, a staggering 130 more than in 2011. One main reason for
this high number was the amount of kittens that were taken in throughout the year. Kitten
season started early and kept going for most of the year. In 2012, we took in 297 kittens. This
was an increase of 112 kittens over the previous year and a record high in the history of
C.A.R.E.S.
In mid - September, the shelter was hit with an outbreak of ringworm which by mid - October
had spread almost through the whole shelter. Never in the history of C.A.R.E.S. has the shelter
seen such an outbreak. It apparently was one of “those years” as many vets reported seeing
more cases than ever and other shelters reported that they were hit with it too. The staff and
volunteers began the daunting task of ridding the shelter of the virus which carried into 2013.
We can’t begin to thank the morning cleaning crews enough for working so hard to keep
everything extra clean and toughing it out to help us get through this time. Thank you, thank
you and thank you! We look forward to the day when the kitty kisser volunteers are able to
come back and socialize the cats. The cats have missed their company.
On a positive note, except for a short shut down of our adoption center in PetSmart for cleaning,
we were able to maintain “business as usual” and successfully adopted 368 cats and kittens to
loving homes. Amazingly, this was the same amount as in 2011! In addition, over 30 feral cats
were helped in the later months of the year thanks to a grant obtained from the Langley
Kinsmen Society. This is detailed more in another report.
On another positive note, the shelter continued to
receive “face lifts” such as a new paint job and the
installation of lovely new sinks and cupboards.
The shelter looks bright and clean and all our
visitors and customers comment how clean,
organized and nice smelling our shelter is.
We still continue to improve our efforts in
communicating to the public about C.A.R.E.S.
More people are finding us through our website
and on Facebook. They are sharing pictures and
stories with their friends about us and the cats for
adoption.
Earl Grey is still looking for his
forever family.
Lauralee Porter
Shelter Manager
11
2012 FEATURED CAT
KAEDYN – THE BOOMERANG CAT
Some cats have all the luck. They come to the shelter for a very short time, but then because
they are very adoptable, they find loving homes quickly. Other cats may wait longer to find that
special home. Then there are the others who find a home but for a variety of reasons come back
to us. We call these the boomerang cats. Our girl Kaedyn falls into this category……several
times over!
We first met Kaedyn in November 2008. She was surrendered by her owners who originally
adopted her from the SPCA, but did not want to take her back there as she was now 5 years old.
They were surrendering her due to the onset of a family member’s allergies.
Less than a month later, we adopted Kaedyn to her first home, but only days later she was
returned as they had a change of heart about caring for a cat. Kaedyn then waited two months
for her next home. She was adopted to a nice couple from White Rock in February 2009. It was
a nice quiet home with cat oriented folks. We thought for sure this would be the forever home
Kaedyn was waiting for. But, against our recommendation the couple then decided they wanted
to adopt another younger cat or kitten. We were concerned that this would be stressful for
Kaedyn and would not be a good situation for her.
Nevertheless, the second cat was adopted and two months later in April 2009, the phone call
came to say that things were not working out. The couple wanted to keep the younger cat, but
not Kaedyn.
Kaedyn then waited a year for her next home. Now 6 ½ years old, she was adopted in April 2010
to an older lady who lived on her own with her assistant. It seemed like a perfect situation for
Kaedyn as there were no other cats, just a small older cat friendly dog. The lady said she
wanted the cat for herself. Apparently, this was not really so for in September 2011, we received
a call from her to say she wanted to return 8 year old Kaedyn. The reason was that her
assistant was moving out of the province and she couldn’t take Kaedyn with her. We were a
little confused as to why this had an impact on why Kaedyn was being returned. The lady then
confessed that she had really gotten the cat for her assistant. She didn’t want to keep Kaedyn
because she herself preferred dogs, not cats.
With much sadness, we once again took Kaedyn back.
She seemed no worse for wear, however, and was just as
lively as ever. We may have been more upset about her
return than she was. We began to spoil her rotten with
attention and she had the privilege of becoming one of
our free roaming hospital cats.
Kaedyn happily would make her bed on one of the
laundry shelves or on top of the dryer. She would
always be willing to have a little play with you or would
love to run out the door to check on everything else
going on in the shelter.
12
2012 FEATURED CAT ….continued
On October 30, 2012, Kaedyn had yet another opportunity to go to a home. A family from Surrey
had seen Kaedyn’s picture on our website and wanted to take her home on a trial basis to see if
she would get along with their German Shepherd dog. We had advertised that Kaedyn had lived
with a dog in her last home. Being that Kaedyn was now 9 years old and there was a larger dog
to consider, we arranged for a foster to adopt situation. The people seemed so nice and confident
that things would work out that we couldn’t help but feel really excited that this could finally be
the one!
But the excitement was short lived. The very next day, we got a phone call from the wife that
they wanted to return Kaedyn right away. The reason? Kaedyn was fine, but the dog was
deathly afraid of the cat! So one more time, back she came.
Kaedyn’s next chance for a home came just over a month later in December 2012. An elderly
lady was looking to foster an older cat being that she was a senior herself. She had no other
cats, but had one older dog. With high hopes again, we sent Kaedyn off to yet another home. A
month later, the lady called to say she felt that Kaedyn was unhappy. This time, it was Kaedyn
that didn’t like the dog. She would hide most of the day when the dog was out, but would come
out and sit on her lap in the chair if the dog wasn’t around. She didn’t feel it was fair to Kaedyn
to have to live like this. So once again, Kaedyn was returned.
Now 9 ½ years old, Kaedyn is still lively and healthy and full of life. She has lots of love to give
anyone that wants to receive it. We still hold out the hope that somewhere out there, there is a
special home for this beautiful girl and that the Boomerang Cat will be no more.
Lauralee Porter
Shelter Manager
13
THE END RESULTS
FEEDBACK FROM ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
Dear Lauralee and C.A.R.E.S.
I would like to thank you and all the volunteers for your kindness and care that Jasper (formerly
Herbie) and Zack (formerly Howie) received during their stay with you. Thanks to you all, they
are healthy and happy cats. Your shelter is the nicest I’ve ever seen. It’s so clean and
organized. If a cat needs a sanctuary, a place to be loved and cared for, your shelter is that
place. The boyz are doing very well. Jasper is a sweetheart. He loves to give my feet a
“cleaning” every morning. Zack is so cute when he walks around the house with his favourite
toy mouse in his mouth. They both love running through their tunnel. They are a real joy. I
lost both my grandparents and my 13 year old cat Tucker all right before Christmas 2012. It
was a sad time for us, but now that we have these sweet cats there is joy and laughter in our
house again. We will keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Tanya and Henry Zeyen
Note: Herbie and Howie were two of five kittens that were rescued along with their mom Holly
when they were found abandoned in a cat carrier in a back stairwell in a Surrey apartment
building. They were scared, hungry and were covered in urine, feces and ringworm. They were
big favourites of all the shelter volunteers and needless to say, everyone was thrilled when these
boys found a loving home with Tanya and Henry.
14
THE END RESULTS … continued
FEEDBACK FROM ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
Dear Lauralee and everyone at C.A.R.E.S.
I just wanted to send you some of our latest pictures of Henry and Stanley (formerly Teddy). As
you can see, they are the best of friends and seem very content in our home. Both have turned
out to be “lap cats” – much to our surprise and delight! They have both me and my husband
wrapped around their little paws. We’re so pleased to have adopted them from you.
They are still on Royal Canin wet and dry food for kittens and love it and as you can see thriving
and growing big. Keep up the good work that you do!
Karin Romilly
Note: Henry (orange tabby) was rescued from a property in Surrey along with several other
kittens. It all started with one un-spayed and one un-neutered cat being dumped on the property
and in no time kittens proliferated! The owners of the property tried to care for them all and find
homes for some of the kittens but it became too much. They contacted a shelter in Richmond for
help who in turn asked if C.A.R.E.S. could help. Lisa MacDonald and Lauralee Porter went out
to the site and 15 kittens were rescued and put through the adoption program. Several adult cats
were trapped, spayed/neutered and returned to the property where the owners continue to feed
and care for them.
Note 2: Stanley (tabby/white) was rescued from a farm in Fort. Langley after a stray / feral
mom cat gave birth to a litter of kittens. The litter was approximately 6 weeks old when rescued
and brought into foster care at C.A.R.E.S. Mom cat was trapped, spayed and returned to the
property where she continues to be fed by the owners of the farm. When Stanley and his siblings
were all vaccinated and spayed/neutered, they came to the adoption centre at the Langley
Petsmart store where in July 2012 he was adopted along with Henry by Doug and Karin Romilly.
15
THE END RESULTS … continued
FEEDBACK FROM ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
Here is a message that was left on our shelter line:
Hello.
We just wanted to let you know that the cat named Kimi we adopted in November 2012 is an
absolute wonderful addition to our little family.
She is the neatest cat we have ever had. She is happy and healthy and we couldn't have asked
for a better cat. She has a couple of quirks (laugh) but don't all cats have a few quirks?
Again, Kimi is happy and she has been such a wonderful addition in our lives. Thanks again for
letting us adopt her!
Dan and Valerie
Note: Kimi had been sadly surrendered by her former owner when she had to move and could
not take her. Kimi was 8 ½ years old when she arrived at the shelter in March 2012. Thank
you Dan and Valerie for giving an older girl like Kimi a second chance.
16