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Penticton  

Caring for cats

Residents dedicated to improving the lives of feral and orphaned cats and kittens took part in a fundraising event in Penticton, Saturday.

AlleyCATS Alliance volunteers were on hand at the IGA to share information about what they do and provide hot dogs and burgers by donation.

"We always have a need for money, because the cats just keep on coming, they never stop year round," said president Sue Beagle. "So we tend to do the fundraisers as weather permits just so we can keep our bank account at a level to help cats when the need arises."

AlleyCATS Alliance is a nonprofit society dedicated to providing rescue, rehabilitation, medical care and adoption to feral and orphaned cats and kittens throughout the Okanagan.

Supporters showing up for the hot dogs and burgers, Saturday, were invited to visit with two playful kittens at the location.

Adding to the excitement was Telus surprising AlleyCATS during the event with an $8,000 cheque.

"I am very excited and dumbstruck," said Beagle.

The nonprofit was also recently awarded $21,795 by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors  Program.

The funding will be used toward creating a senior and youth inspired journal featuring original cat stories, jokes and funny one-liners about life with cats, titled "Mewsings: A life with CATS."

They are working on getting the stories first and then looking for artists to participate.

"So when the book is created, it will be sold for $20 each with all proceeds going to AlleyCATS," said Aja Jackson, the coordinator of the grant.

Kona Lynn Sankey, who came dressed up as a black cat for the event, said she is supportive of everything the nonprofit does.

"They are helping with not just the local strays' situation but also the local feral situation, which is cats multiplying year after year," she said. "And they offer support to low income families for spay and neuter and are also involved with the trap, neuter and release program."

For more information on AlleyCATS Alliance, go here.

 



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