Cat Shelter Building Workshop, Toronto Street Cats, Toronto, ON

Toronto Street Cats started their cat shelter building workshops for the season.  The workshops are held throughout the fall and winter season in the garage of the Toronto Humane Society.

It's my third year volunteering with them ... it's so nice helping the kitties in Toronto keep warm and dry during the cold winter.

Our mission: improve the lives of Toronto’s homeless cats by offering spay/neuter services, free for feral cats, and building overwintering shelters. We are also working to increase public awareness about Toronto’s homeless cat population and the importance of spay/neuter and trap/neuter/return (TNR). 

We are part of the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition, working together to implement strategic TNR programs to sterilize Toronto’s feral cats, decrease shelter intake and reduce euthanasia rates.

With COVID, things have changed drastically.  Instead of having 40+ volunteers, there can only be 10 (as per the province's mandate).  There are lots of strict protocols to follow and Carol, the coordinator, ensured we did ... we had to complete the COVID screening questionnaire and we were all socially distanced and required to wear masks.

In addition, to selling the shelters (they are available to caretakers and colonies for $15 and refurbished ones are $5), Toronto Street Cats also provides free straw to replenish existing shelters and you can buy a feeding station.  You just have to register in advance to schedule a time slot to show up and Carol takes care of you.

I set up across from my pal, Darlene.

Today we were refurbishing returned shelters.  You don't know how effective the black Gorilla tape is until you have to take it off!

Before

After

Before

After

So far this season, 462 new shelters have been made (and 335 have been sold) and 35 reburbished shelters have been made (and 4 sold)!