The High Cost of Broken Promises

I have been struggling with this issue of the Purrington Post for quite awhile now. We do have a lot of news to share, but much of it is not happy, and it is always difficult to find a way to share sad news without sounding as though we are ungrateful for the incredible support many of you give the cats.

Craig Street Cats is at a turning point, and many decisions must be made before the end of this year. The biggest one involves our adoption centre, and whether or not we can continue to operate it. Our lease expires next June. By the end of this year our Board of Directors must decide whether to renew it, or close the centre and return to our roots as a strictly colony management organization.

The issue, as always, is money. More specifically, it is unfulfilled pledges -- that is, money that has been promised to the cats, but never given. Broken promises are threatening to close our adoption centre, and curtail our activities. By the end of June, those broken promises totalled over $50,000 this year. Some of that is monthly pledges that cannot be collected because a card was declined, or a cheque bounced. Some of it is larger amounts promised to cover specific expenses, like surgery, or needed equipment and supplies. All of it is needed.

We do understand that life happens, and sometimes people just can't honour their pledges. We appreciate it when our donors let us know about those changes, so that we can stop billing them, and adjust our budget. Those amounts are not included in that $50,000.

To be honest, the constant stress of trying to find money to pay all the bills is taking a huge toll on me. I am $20,000 further in personal debt than I was at the beginning of the year, because I have had to find money to pay the cats' bills. That brings the total of what the cats owe me to over $500,000. At a time in my life when I should be looking forward to a relatively comfortable retirement, I find myself scrambling every month.

It really shouldn't be this hard to do something good.

Anyway, the point is that we cannot continue in this manner. I simply do not have the money to cover any more of the cats' expenses. Either reliable funding must be in place by the end of the year, or the adoption centre must close. Our Board will make that decision in December. The decision will be entirely based on the actions of our donors between now and then. If you would like to make sure that the adoption centre remains open, please make a pledge and honour it. https://craigstreetcats.ca/donate.html

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Adding to the stress of trying to pay the bills is the desperate need for our services. Over the past month we have been forced to turn away over 1000 cats every week.

Yes, you read correctly. Over one thousand cats every week. We get calls from all over the province asking for help. Some of those calls are about owned cats, but most are about community cats. Some of the callers are individuals, some are municipalities. In all cases we offer what help we can, including services for TNR. Sadly, none of those callers are prepared to cover the cost of those services, and we must turn them away.

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Kittenpalooza 2019

Aug. 14 to 23
St. Vital Centre
all mall hours

Yep, it's Kittenpalooza time again! We'll be taking over the community booth at St. Vital Centre from August 14th to 23rd, with LOTS of cute and cuddly critters looking for forever homes.

New this year is our kitten therapy booth! Take a break from the hustle and bustle of every day life, and spend some time with a kindle of kittens! Suggested donation of $5 per person. No children under 6 admitted to the booth. All minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Also new this year: Come meet Dr. Keri: Prairie Vet, Sunday, August 18th! Dr. Keri and her family will join us for the day. Please note that the film crew from her Animal Planet program will be there, as well.

Of course, we will have our usual selection of toys, goodies, and gifts for cats and the people they own, including wonderful original artwork, jewelry, and CSC custom tote bags.

Craig Street Cats - Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteers are the backbone of Craig Street Cats and we love them dearly! Our regular volunteer program welcomes volunteers aged 16 and up. Our junior program welcomes young people aged 6 to 15, who attend with a parent or guardian. Orientation sessions are Sunday afternoons, from 1 to 3 pm, except on long weekends. For more information, please visit our website volunteer page: Craig Street Cats - Volunteers.

Are you ResQwalking?

ResQwalk is a free smartphone app that lets you earn money for your favourite animal rescue, just by taking a walk! Install ResQWalk on your phone, and select Craig Street Cats as your favourite rescue, then hit "Start Walk". Your walk will earn money to help take care of the cats!

CSC is an original ResQwalk partner. Your walks have helped earn over $500 USD for the cats. Please keep ResQwalking!

Upcoming Events

Kittenpalooza

Aug. 14 to 23
St. Vital Centre
All mall hours

Come meet your new best friend!

Donate

Craig Street Cats relies on the generosity and support of donors like you. We receive no government funding for our work in helping to humanely manage Winnipeg's feral cat population.

To make an online donation, please visit craigstreetcats.ca

We would also be happy to receive your donation by phone at 204-421-1919 or by mail at:
Craig Street Cats

16-1421 St. James St.

Winnipeg, MB, R3H 0Y9

Our wish list

Our full wish list is available on our website
If you're in a hurry, we always need:
canned cat food (pate only, please)
dry cat and kitten food
paper towels
clumping cat litter
wood stove pellets
garbage bags

Donations can be dropped off at the Adoption Centre at 16-1421 St. James St. during business hours.

Craig Street Cats - 2019 Stats

Number of Adoptions: 124
Number of cats/kittens in foster care: 73
Number of cats/kittens at the Adoption Centre: 255

How did you like this edition of The Purrington Post?
We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please email us.