Summer 2024 was a busy and rewarding first summer for us at Cats Advocacy Team of Manitoba — or Cats Manitoba. One of our main goals is to connect with communities across the province, and while Manitoba is a big place, we made a great start this summer in Winnipeg and the Interlake Region. One of the main reasons we launched Cats Manitoba is to promote responsible cat guardianship, and that means rethinking our relationship with our feline friends. Do we really own cats, or do they own us? It's clear who's in charge! Jokes aside, while the law still says we "own" our pets, our relationships with them have evolved. Our pets are family members who deserve love, respect, and dignity, and are not just property. As we connect with communities, one of our focuses is promoting this understanding and encouraging everyone to treat cats with the care they deserve.
We kicked off our community outreach by attending the Spring Market in May in Argyle, a beautiful town with a lot of history. The market was held at Willow Grove Orchard, and it was wonderful to speak with people about their own experiences with cats. Being in a rural area, we heard a lot about farm cats and the challenges with strays. There are still some common misconceptions out there about spaying and neutering, and we had the chance to share accurate information, address concerns, and stress the importance of getting cats fixed. It was also inspiring to hear from so many enthusiastic kids who already want to help improve the lives of cats — our future volunteers!
In June, we hosted the first-ever Winnipeg International Feline Film Festival (WIFFF), and it was a fantastic success. We received over 20 film submissions and screened 15 incredible short films that showcased everything from hilarious animations to informative TNR documentaries. Thanks to our sold-out crowd at the Park Theatre, we raised nearly $4,000 for education initiatives and support for cat rescues. Most importantly, we highlighted the incredible work that rescues are doing and encouraged attendees to get involved through our rescue directory.
July brought an opportunity to support Grateful Friends Animal Rescue with their spay and neuter drive in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. We sponsored their van rental costs to help transport supplies, enabling dozens of cats to receive essential spaying, neutering, and vaccinations. We are proud to have played a role in this successful event, and grateful for the dedication of groups like Grateful Friends who make a difference in communities all over the province.
In August, we had the pleasure of setting up a booth at Quarry Days in Stonewall, one of Manitoba's favourite summer festivals. We had amazing conversations about everything from spaying and neutering to the need for homes for cats that aren't suited to indoor life in barns, shops, or sheds! We loved being able to dispel myths about cats and share resources to help people become better guardians. The Stonewall Veterinary team were great booth neighbours, and it was a perfect partnership for providing expert advice on the spot. The best part of the weekend was hearing people's love of cats, we saw so many photos of cats, heard so many incredibly moving adoption stories, and heard the passion in people's voices as they told us about their kitty companions. We were so touched when a local couple told us about how they rescued a stray kitten that was hanging around the local bar, in danger of being hurt or killed, and thought they'd take him in temporarily. Well as often happens that kitten touched their hearts and they gave him a permanent home, which they then invited us in to meet him! It was truly a highlight of the weekend.
Although Cats Manitoba has only been in operation for less than a year, we're incredibly proud of what we've been able to accomplish together. We’ve donated hundreds of dollars toward vet bills for rescues, provided food, crates, and carriers, sponsored spay and neuter drives, and held educational and awareness events that have reached thousands of people. Through all of this, our aim is simple: to help create a community where every cat has a chance at a safe, healthy, and happy life. This summer was just the beginning, and there's still so much more to be done.
Winter is coming, which is one of the toughest seasons for community and stray cats. Thousands of cats need help, and we are committed to doing all we can to support them and the rescues working on the frontlines. We have some exciting programming lined up for the new year, including free public events and, of course, the Second Annual WIFFF next June. We hope you'll stay tuned to our social media and website for the latest updates. Thank you for making our first summer such a success, and thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the lives of cats across Manitoba.
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