SCRAPS (Stray Cat Rescue and Protection Society) Moose Jaw is a local non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers with the goal of monitoring and limiting the feral cat population in the city.
Organizations such as SCRAPS Moose Jaw could not continue to operate without the ongoing financial and other support from its local partners. PetValu is one of those valued partners.
In a show of its ongoing commitment to the local non-profit, PetValu recently made a generous donation of over $1,700 in support of SCRAP’s TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) program. With no other sources of funding available outside of community donations such as this, the impact is huge.
The Feb. 4 donation was also timely, as SCRAPS Moose Jaw had just taken 32 cats and kittens into its foster care program. Without this support, an effort of this magnitude may not have been possible.
“This donation is very generous, and one of many that PetValu has sent our way,” said Ann Marciszyn with SCRAPS Moose Jaw.
“Every donation helps us to continue our work as a non-profit.”
The two local organizations – PetValu of Moose Jaw and SCRAPS – have been working closely together since around 2013 after forming a natural partnership through a shared concern for cats and kittens.
“PetValu is a great partner for SCRAPS and they’re very generous by offering us a place for our kittens to have a satellite adoption site. They donate food… litter, and different supplies to us,” Marciszyn said.
As SCRAPS Moose Jaw doesn’t have its own facility, PetValu hosts the organization’s adoptable cats and kittens. PetValu then provides care, food, and helps showcase the organization’s little furry friends at the store.
PetValu also runs fundraising events where a share of the proceeds is donated to SCRAPS Moose Jaw. This help includes a sponsorship for the non-profit’s yearly cat calendar and the donation of time to answer any questions a customer might have.
“They’ve been really supportive of us,” she reiterated.
All proceeds raised by SCRAPS Moose Jaw are used for direct medical expenses and necessities such as food. Veterinary care is the number one expense, with the primary goal being to control the local stray population by having the animals spayed or neutered.
“We actually strive for excellence in the care of our animals. They get a full series of vaccines… which includes the rabies vaccine. This isn’t always the standard vaccination you get with adoptable animals.”
These vaccines include three for kittens and two for adult cats, and because a lot of cats in the organization’s care come from outdoors, several animals require more extensive veterinary care for conditions such as respiratory and gastric illnesses.
The organization has no overhead for a building or wages, so all proceeds can go directly to the care of these animals. Still, Marciszyn said costs can escalate quickly.
“It’s actually quite significant the number of dollars it costs us to operate, and we’re really thankful to the community (for the ongoing support). Over the years there have been different businesses, individuals, and organizations that have supported us from within Moose Jaw and beyond,” she said.
“We are just very grateful and thank everyone for their support.”
To help support SCRAPS Moose Jaw, call 306-693-0718 or email [email protected].
If you’re interested in visiting the non-profit’s satellite adoption centre, PetValu is located at 1251 Main Street North in the Civic Centre Plaza.
