2019 Year in Review

2019 was record breaking year for Regina Cat Rescue! Volunteers rescued 522 cats in 2019 - the most ever in the 37 year history of the organization. 483 cats were adopted - up from 391 adoptions in 2018.

So we sat down with some of RCR’s co-chairs to learn more about what they achieved in 2019, what the biggest challenges were and more!

Pet Rescue team

• Achieved: Managed both record intake and adoption numbers. This speaks to the amazing team behind the scenes that includes:

  • foster homes

  • photographers

  • ad writers

  • website editors

  • adoption screeners

  • transportation helpers

  We also managed relationships with four satellite adoption partners, held six adoption events and participated in two volunteer recruitment events. 

• Challenges: The incredibly high number of intake requests! At peak times over the summer, we were getting 6-10 requests for help each day. An early snowfall at the end of September exacerbated the problem. Managing all the requests with just two volunteer intake coordinators was incredibly challenging.

• Hopes for 2020: Looking forward to collaborating with the other teams on education and awareness regarding the importance of sterilization. There willl never be enough rescue capacity to help all the cats in need unless people change their behaviour and sterilize their pets.

Community Cat team

• Achieved: We filled three volunteer feeding positions that had been vacant for almost a year. Also made approximately 55 winter shelters. We’re particularly happy we were able to help trap two cats that were in dire need of medical care. Duke had kitchen string wrapped around his paw and after he was trapped his leg had to be amputated. Marty looked like he had neurological issues as his balance was off, once trapped our partner vet determined that Marty was likely hit with blunt force as some point in time.

• Challenges: Replacing a number of feeding stations that were stolen or vandalized over the past year.

• Hopes for 2020: Looking forward to having a stable feeding team in 2020 as we’ve had some wonderful caring people join our team. We’re hoping to get back to trapping at our own colonies in 2020 as we spent a lot of time supporting other colonies in 2019. We’re also looking to build some new feeding stations and shelters to replace some of the old ones.

Volunteer team

• Achieved: Working the Western Pizza booth at Mosaic Stadium events earned over $35,000 between wages and tips for RCR in 2019. This was achieved by a total of 93 volunteers working a total of 2,668 hours of labour. We also staffed volunteers for four craft fairs, two pet expos and the garage sale all of which brought in much needed funds.

• Challenges: Recruiting enough volunteers to work the Roughrider and high school football games. We were also challenged by last minute (or no notice) cancellations for working events at Mosaic Stadium.

• Hopes for 2020: Continued support from our growing team of reliable and dedicated volunteers, which will help to hopefully raise even more money to help cats in need!

Thank you to everyone who supported RCR throughout 2019 by adopting, sponsoring, donating, educating or volunteering. We appreciate your support and wish you all the best for 2020!