If you are one of those people who likes to watch cat videos on the Internet, then be sure to get a copy of the Whisker Weekly.
Published by 10-year-old Morgan Paul of Qualicum Beach, the newsletter dedicated to all things feline is a good read for a good cause.
Paul sells subscriptions to her publication, with all proceeds going towards making life better for cats.
Now in its fourth year, the Whisker Weekly is not only informative, it is also a revenue generator for Qualicum Cat Rescue, which over the past 10 years has found homes for more than 1,500 cats and kittens.
The young cat lover likes to write about her own fur babies, Maxwell and Zach, as well as her friends’ pets.
“I started writing it when I was six years old. I originally wrote it for my parents and grandparents. My best friend Ember Westerhoff helps me … she has a cat, too.”
She said now that the word is spreading about her newsletter, donations are starting to increase.
“I do about three (issues) a year and I usually make about $50 a year for the Qualicum Cat Rescue but this year it is more like $80,” she pointed out.
The August issue of the Whisker Weekly featured an obituary on Bossy T Cat who passed away on August 5.
“Bossy T Cat was my grandpa Bill’s cat. It lived to be 21 years old,” explained Paul.
The tribute describes Bossy T Cat as a wonderful cat with a mysterious past and a fashion sense. She lived long past the demises of her siblings Fluffy, Tibs and Tux, as well as the expectations of everyone.
Page three of the publication has some original artwork of Paul’s in the Cat of the Week section, where a Mary Poppins cat looks ready to take flight.
Paul said she likes drawing pictures of cats and taking pictures of them.
Page four has a photo of a cat wearing a cone and looking grumpy after having a lumpectomy on August 12. The good news is Maxwell the cat is now cone free and fully recovered from his surgery.
From a Dear Tabby column to a pie chart illustrating a day in the life a cat, the Whisker Weekly is sure to bring a smile to your face and help a good cause.
Barb Ashmead of the Qualicum Cat Rescue said Paul has raised a lot of money for her organization and said she is an amazing young girl.
“Sometimes we have copies in the store but mostly Morgan goes out and sells them. People love it. She is such a great kid and all her efforts help us because everything we get goes back into spaying and neutering cats,” she said.
The Qualicum Cat Rescue is located at Qualicum Pet Foods and Grooming at #104-166 West 1st Ave. Kitten viewing hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
