100 Pet Lovers Who Care Brant supports local animal welfare providers

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A community-driven group dedicated to supporting animal welfare has celebrated a successful first year.

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100 Pet Lovers Who Care Brant saw more than 100 members join in their inaugural year and continues to welcome new members that are passionate about making a difference for animals in need.

The group raised $15,048 in 2024, which was donated to three local organizations: Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue and Sanctuary, Autism Dog Services, and Sato Saved End of the Line Dog Rescue and Rehabilitations.

“We are thrilled by the generosity and dedication of our members who helped make our first year such a success,” said co-chairs Stephanie Stock and Jennifer Middleton. “Together, we’ve made a tangible impact on the lives of animals and the communities we serve.”

Pat Kawamoto, managing director of Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue and Sanctuary, said her organization is  grateful for the funding provided by 100 Pet Lovers Who Care Brant.

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A registered charity since 2016, Hearts to Homes is a grassroots, volunteer-run organization with a mission to help the community with the volume of stray and feral cats.

“We take in stray or abandoned cats and find homes for them; help families who cannot afford to get their cat spayed/neutered and vaccinated; and we help with community cats,” Kawamoto explained. “Community cats are not adoptable. We term them as semi-feral. They’re used to people feeding them, but you can’t pick them up or touch them. They live outdoors. There are several community caregivers around the community that provide shelter and food for them.”

She said a SPCA-commissioned report about 15 years ago estimated there to be 70,000 feral and stray cats in Brantford-Brant.

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“I’d say we’re still in the thousands, and they suffer,” Kawamoto observed. “People have this outdated notion that they can survive on their own. The idea is to reduce pet overpopulation and the resulting suffering because cats are not native wildlife. They suffer from hypothermia, frostbite and heat stroke just like we do.”

100 Pet Lovers Who Care supports animal rescue efforts and charitable organizations that serve animals in need, through fundraising, donations, and community engagement.

For more information visit their Facebook page 100 Pet Lovers Who Care Brant or email [email protected]

[email protected]

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