With the cost of living on the rise, more and more people feel they have no choice but to surrender their beloved pets.
Dedicated to rescuing cats throughout Wellington County, Arthur Animal Rescue (AAR) has closed its intake due to a record influx of both cats and kittens.
Currently, the rescue has 140 cats and kittens in it's care.
"A lot of people in our community are unfortunately unable to care for anyone else other than themselves just due to the cost of groceries and pet food," said ARR volunteer and social media coordinator Kirsten Henley.
"We are seeing alot more surrenders from homes whereas before we saw a lot more strays. We get requests from people who say, 'I have three cats and I just can't feed them. How can you help me?'"
Henley said despite having to close intake, AAR continues to receive five to 10 intake requests daily, sometimes even up to 20.
"It's sad because you know these people care and are doing the absolute best that they can," Henley said. "Reaching out to us, it shows how much they love their animals and they want the best for them.
"It's been very difficult. I've been with the rescue for almost three years and this is definitely the most dire situation we have been in since I joined," Henley said.
"These cats have nowhere to go. Our 40 foster homes are maxed out. With adoptions not going anywhere, those cats are holding space for cats that could be coming in."
Since 2015, AAR, a registered non-profit charity, has grown into a large network of volunteers, from fosters and coordinators, to a board of directors.
The team is dedicated to the welfare of local cats, providing safe and loving foster homes, any medical care needed, including spaying and neutering, age appropriate vaccines, worm/flea treatment before adoption, and placement in a safe environment.
When the cats and kittens are healthy and socialized, they are adopted out to their forever homes.
But due to a dramatic overflow of cats and kittens AAR is turning to the community for support, as it reaches capacity with more pets being surrendered.
The same overflow issues are also being experienced at other rescues within the province, Henley said.
"Every rescue we know is in the exact same situation. This makes it really hard, because normally, when we are full, we will ask people to call other rescues," Henley said.
"Knowing that they are going to run into the same problem, it really hurts your heart knowing that these cats need help. The big difference right now is that we have decreased in the amount of fosters. And then just with everything going on in our economy. Costs are tight for everybody. So, to open your home to more mouths to feed, it can also be difficult."
Arthur Animal Rescue depends on donations as it provides all medical and vet care.
"And we have food and litter available when we get donations, which we are always very grateful for," Henley said.
Of the 140 cats and kittens in care at AAR, 40 are currently listed for adoption.
"That will fluctuate at any time. We have as little as 15 for adoption and as many as 65 at a time depending on the season," Henley said.
"Mainly, we need people to adopt. If you can't adopt, maybe you can foster. If you can't foster, maybe you can donate. And if you can't donate, just share. Share online, tell your friends about us, and hopefully we can help some more cats."
When Henley first began volunteering at AAR, the team consisted of four or five coordinators.
"As of this week, we now have 15. So we've really ramped up which is amazing. It just goes to show how in demand our services are," she said.
"I absolutely love the way this makes me feel. I have a purpose, and I'm working for something bigger than myself and with a group of amazing ladies."
AAR hosts community events regularly.
"We do adoption events. We have satellite locations at pet stores and pet cafes. We do markets and festivals. And we also have a really big event coming up at the end of September at the Fergus sportsplex on Sept. 22," Henley said.
"This will be the first of it's kind and will be a market with over 50 vendors. All proceeds will support Arthur Animal Rescue."
For more information about Arthur Animal Rescue, to foster or adopt, visit here.
"Right now, we have a special called 'September Saving'. Because we are so full, we've decided to reduce our adoption fee for short term because it's not sustainable to continue after a month with all of the costs involved," Henley said.
"Adoptions are now $50 off per cat."
Henley lives in a two bedroom apartment with her husband, toddler and three cats.
"And I also have three foster kittens right now in a cage in my living room. We make it work and I'm sure we could make a lot of people's homes work as well," she said.
Henley said AAR is more than happy to accommodate any type of home situation, whether a room or bedroom.
"The rescue holds special place my heart because my mom is vice-president of the rescue and she is our vet coordinator. Working together with her is such an amazing opportunity," Henley said.
"We have lots of fosters that have kids at home, teaching them the importance of humane care for animals and doing what you can. We have kids who sell chocolate bars and lemonade for us. It really is amazing," she added.
"I have never lived a day in my life without a cat in my house. That's why this is really important to me."
