Who we are

Cherry Street Cats is me (Robin), my husband Steve, Sandi, Michelle, Verena, Vinyse, Derek, Kent, and Connie, a group of dedicated cat lovers who care for a colony of feral cats in the east end of Toronto. I also have a great rescue team of Lesley, Joanne, and Susan. Together we do our best to make the lives better for feral and homeless cats and kittens. 900+ cats helped in nine years!



Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 Year in Review

Where do I start?  It was such a crazy busy year.  For the colony it's been a tough year, losing four cats,   including Jackson and Tina the two favourites.  Jackson tragically drowned in January and Tina died in May.  It's not the same without their friendly faces rushing to greet us.  Jo and Sam also disappeared.  There were also a few injuries and illnesses dealt with and the constant flux down there.  I know that eventually the colony will die out, and that is the goal, but emotionally it's so hard, we become very attached to these cats.
Dear sweet Tina, how we miss her.
There were some new faces at the colony too, a mysterious litter of kittens appeared in the summer.  We still don't know who the mom is.  Thankfully they were all trapped and have found homes.  Recently a tame B & W female showed up, she has been adopted too and just yesterday we saw yet another new face.

Cherry Street kitten

Cherry Street kittens just after rescuing.

In terms of my other rescue projects, I helped over 100 cats this year.  I took on a big TNR project in the west end.  At Maria's we TNRed 18 adults and pulled out 19 kittens.  The other rescues of tame cats and kittens and TNRs is too much to mention, but it sure seemed like there was something going on every week.
Me with my new drop trap, came in handy.

Cat on the roof at Maria's

More cats at Maria's
In September I took on another big project, rescuing a dozen kittens and three adults, all tame, from the same spot, clearly a dump.  I discovered today that a neighbour there has been feeding two cats who have just appeared, I hope it's just a coincidence and that the cat dumper isn't at it again.
Scooter, one the many kittens rescued who found homes.

Our car on any given day.
We will see what 2013 brings, there are always cats who need help.  I am grateful that I could help as many as I could and so appreciative of all those who are part of the team.  I am priviledged to know so many wonderful cat lovers who are willing to put themselves out to help.  I've had times this year when I've been exhausted and burnt out but no way am I quitting this work, when I see how the cats outside live, especially this time of the year, it only makes me more determined.

Hope all the kitties outside have found a warm spot for the night!  Happy New Year to all!

1 comment:

  1. Happy New Year, Robin. Thanks for all that you do for the out-door cats. They are the ones that break our heart because most are throw-aways from irresponsible owners. Best of luck in 2013.Hugs, Deb

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