MOOSE JAW — Every Thursday night, SCRAPS (Stray Cat Rescue and Protection Society) Moose Jaw brings new life to the parking lot behind the Church of God as it unites cat-loving residents in a weekly hub of activity supporting its ongoing programming for stray cats in the community.
The market runs each Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is planned to run until Sept. 26.
“The Thursday night markets are… just another way that we’re looking to raise awareness about our program…,” explained Gail Duchak, the fundraising co-ordinator for SCRAPS Moose Jaw.
“(It’s an) optimum location; it has shade and it’s protected in a cozy little parking long that’s newly paved…,” she said. “It’s clean and easy to access right off Main Street.”
SCRAPS is a local non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers with the goal of monitoring and limiting the feral cat population in the city.
“We’ve been involved in various markets (that were) coordinated by other parties,” she said. “This is the first year we’ve coordinated our own.”
The market includes some of the merchandise sold at the 9 Lives Boutique in the Town ‘N’ Country Mall, as well as volunteer handcrafted items and numerous donations.
“It’s a little selection of things we normally would carry, like we always have our honeysuckle and our catnip mice,” explained Duchak.
All proceeds raised through the market helps support SCRAPS during one of its busiest seasons.
“Right now, we’re really active in our TNR (trap, neuter, release) season,” Duchak said. “We’re doing lots of (cat rescues) … managing colonies, and putting money towards food.
“This time of the year is quite intense for our veterinary costs,” she continued. Her explanation included a mention of several new kittens taken into the organization’s care, along with medical bills and maintaining the regular TNR program.
To help in the effort, SCRAPS is inviting any interested vendors to join the current average of around nine who attend as weather permits. A wide variety of vendors are now being sought out to help grow the market and anyone interested is invited to call in to inquire.
“People are invited to come, and other vendors have an opportunity to join us. It’s a way for them to showcase their products,” Duchak said.
Due to possible weather concerns — initially the market faced cool and wet conditions, and now the city has experienced an ongoing heat wave — it should be pointed out that SCRAPS does not bring any of its animals to the outdoor market.
In addition to the Thursday night markets, SCRAPS Moose Jaw is also active at the Wakamow Valley Farmer’s Market that takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We always want to send out a gracious thank you to our community,” Duchak said. “(This extends to) all the businesses and individuals in Moose Jaw and beyond (who) support us financially and (through) sharing our message.”
SCRAPS Moose Jaw has also hinted that a few exciting announcements are in store in the near future — so keep an eye out for updates.
For more information or to apply as a vendor, SCRAPS Moose Jaw can be reached at 306-684-9048 or by email at Scraps-MJ@hotmail.com. The table fee is $15 per vendor.
The SCRAPS Thursday night markets are currently held in the parking lot behind the Church of God and St. Andrew’s United Church and will run until Thursday, Sept. 26.
