Oct. 16 was National Feral Cat Day and the Courtenay Airpark was the location of the first Walk for the Kitties, an awareness event and fundraiser organized by Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society.
This was a national day for us to think about the outdoor cats that exist in every community. These cats are the same species as domestic cats and don't deserve to be mistreated or killed.
People in the Comox Valley and everywhere should know that Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats is a win for the cats and their human neighbors. It involves not only spaying and neutering every member, but setting up a feeding area and regular schedule to discourage roaming.
Trap-Neuter-Return improves the lives of the cats, gives them the leisure time to groom themselves, makes them healthier, and ends the breeding cycle and other behaviours such as yowling, fighting, spraying and roaming.
Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society has been helping feral cats since 2007 through Trap-Neuter-Return as well as Socialization and Adoption of kittens born outdoors, Barn Cat Re-Homing and other important community-based programs.
Walk for the Kitties raised over $2,000 for spaying and neutering feral cats and their kittens in the Comox Valley.
Thanks to everyone involved, including the Park Café for donating coffee, Bill from Wagz/CVEX for the tents, Dr. Elmer Philipson from Comox Valley Animal Hospital for walking, and all the fundraisers and volunteers who helped make this event a success.
Outdoor cats have been part of our landscape for thousands of years, and always will be. Compassionate and effective solutions to help cats and communities coexist peacefully are readily available at www.kittycatpals.com or call 250-218-7223 for more information on how you can help the kitties.
— Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society