Laurie Johnson is a cat lady and proud of it.
And she’s taking her passion for felines and once again organizing the annual fundraiser for the Vernon and District Animal Care Society (VDACS), taking place Aug. 20 at Hunter’s Store.
When not working at the store, Johnson can be found every Friday afternoon at Crescent Falls Veterinary Hospital, where the society has a number of cats up for adoption.
“It’s good for them to be around children of all ages, as it helps them become more adoptable,” she said. “There is no pressure to adopt, I want cats to go to homes where everyone in the home wants them.
“I love cats, and I’m reminded of quote I once heard, ‘People who hate cats haven’t found the right cat yet.” People who neglect or dislike animals, cats in particular, don’t understand them.
“Sometimes you have to say the same thing over and over again, but in different ways before they get that aha moment…aha, that’s why the cat does that.”
Johnson said while she would like to see all homeless animals go to loving homes, she also wants to ensure that people are armed with knowledge and understanding before welcoming a pet into their home.
“I know that not everyone loves or even likes cats. They say ‘they dig in my garden, they kill the birds in my yard,’ and so on. However it is not the cat’s fault. The cat is doing what come naturally to it, which I realize no comfort at all to these people. I would like to explain in a way that they can understand.”
The VDACS provides spay and neuter funding to low-income families as well as emergency vet care, and Johnson said there are still many misconceptions surrounding the need for altering a cat.
“I know there are some people who believe that by getting a male kitten, they don’t have to worry about future kittens, and therefore don’t feel they need to have their male kitten fixed. The problem with that is that when their kitten gets to be five or six months of age, he is at his sexual maturity and nature will set him on a journey to find a mate.
“That journey will lead him through several of your neighbours’ yards, and across a couple of streets, and should he successfully navigate this, he will eventually find a female to mate with. On his way back he will cross those same streets, and pass through your neighbours’ yard, and with some luck escape the owl or coyote that is in the area looking for its next meal.”
Johnson said when people adopt that cute, playful female kitten, they may notice that at around six months, she has started to act a little oddly.
And not realizing that she is in heat, they send her outside in order to get a peaceful night’s sleep.
“She also will go through your neighbours’ yards, killing their birds around the bird feeder. She meets up with the male, and two months later…surprise!
“This may seem obvious to some people but, the point I am trying to get to is that spaying or neutering would have kept the male kitten closer to home, and the female would not have acted ‘really strange,’ thus producing an unwanted litter of kittens.”
Johnson said this is where the VDACS comes in. In the past 10 years, it has provided countless spays and neuters to cats and dogs of low-income owners.
“But there is still a need to provide more pet owners with this service. It is and always will be a never-ending job, but it will reduce the suffering and neglect of many pets.”
The VDACS’ annual fundraiser at Hunter’s Store takes place Aug. 20, which is International Homeless Animal Day. It’s a day set aside on the third Saturday of August to raise awareness of the suffering and abuse of homeless animals.
“As a board member for VDACS and an employee of Hunter’s Store I am able to help organize a fun fundraiser for VDACS,” said Johnson. “And thanks to the owners of Hunter’s who have donated or arranged for donations for this event, I am hoping it will be a successful fundraiser.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hunter’s, 4600 Pleasant Valley Rd., and will include a barbecue and sale of ice cream cones, with the store donating $1 from every cone sold to the fundraiser.
The fun will also include the popular pet photo contest. Bring your favourite photograph of your pet(s) to the store between Aug. 15 and 20, before 10 a.m. Be sure to write your name and phone number as well as your pet’s name, on the back of the photo. Entry fee is by donation. This is a people’s choice award, so bring your family and friends and cast your vote. The winner will be featured in the society’s 2010 calendar.
“This event will showcase the pet owners who really love their pets and want the best for them,” said Johnson. “It is really uplifting to see how much people love their pets.
“Mostly VDACS’ focus is on helping animals, or helping their owners help their animals, and sometimes that can become a little overwhelming — this event proves it is all worth it.”
For more information, see the VDACS website at www.vernonanimalcare.com or check out their Facebook page, which is updated regularly.
