CALICO – Caring About Low Income Cat Owners

The Cause

Whisker Rescue is a Stray Cat Rescue Organization based in Red Deer, Alberta. The organization started in 2008 and is a volunteer run, non-profit charitable organization run by a few cat-lovers. We are a no-kill organization and rely on volunteers and foster families to give every cat that enters our adoption program the time, patience, love and cuddles they need until their forever homes can be found. We provide basic needs such as shelter, food, medical attention and adoption opportunities to stray, homeless and surrendered cats in our care.
We are proud of the work we do with supporting and re-homing cats in our community. Our strong volunteer base spends time caring for our cats in our shelter and in their homes as fosters. We have another group of dedicated volunteers who spend time fundraising so we can continue our work. Community inclusiveness and support a central to our mission. Many people who have benefited from our support or have adopted through our organization become supports and volunteers in support of our cats. 100% of our funds come from fundraising efforts and 100% of the funds raised go toward care of cats in our rescue and supporting families in our community to care for their cats.
The program I want to highlight in this application is our CALICO (Caring About Low Income Cat Owners) program. This program offers help to families who truly need assistance with subsidizing the spay/neuter of their cats. Whisker Rescue offers assistance for up to half the cost of the procedure for cat owners who are low income, on AISH, income support, E.I. support or who might otherwise be unable to afford the procedure. The following quote illustrates the benefits of spaying or neutering for both the cat and cat owner.
Spaying or neutering your cat prevents unwanted births, which helps reduce overpopulation in shelters. Millions of unwanted animals end up in shelters or on the streets each year. Only a lucky few are adopted; the rest are either euthanized or die from trauma, exposure, starvation or disease. By spaying or neutering your cat, you do your part to prevent this tragedy.
Healthier and happier cats who have fewer behaviours and illnesses and reasons to seek vet services are huge benefits to both the cat and owner.

Who Will it Benefit?

Low income cat owners who are on AISH, income support, E.I. Support or who might otherwise be unable to afford the procedure.
By supporting families to have this important medical procedure, we also reduce the amount of vet care they may need in the future and free up some often needed funds for other important family expenses.