13/02/2021
⚠️ THE CHARITY HAS TO BE OUT BY MARCH 1ST ⚠️
By March 1, the volunteer-run charity—which has been sheltering abandoned and stray cats for 33 years—will no longer be allowed to keep felines at its property by Promenade Mall.
The house is up for redevelopment and will be demolished in a few years, says North Toronto Cat Rescue (NTCR) founder Donna Cox. Due to zoning complications, NTCR will have to clear out its tenants, currently around 15 cats, by the end of the month.
If the cats can't find permanent homes by then, they may be handed over to animal services, which—unlike the charity—do not have a no-kill policy in place.
After a decade operating in Markham and, before that, out of volunteers' homes, NTCR relocated to its current location by Dufferin and Centre Streets two and a half years ago. It has a roster of 60 volunteers from around the GTA who take care of the space.
Cox, whose organization has rescued over 4,000 cats since 1988, knew that the property was going to be razed when NTCR moved in, but thought that she'd have more time, maybe two or three years, to find a new home for her charity.
NTCR could continue paying its monthly $4,000 rent for the next few years, but they wouldn't be allowed to keep more than three cats inside. Usually, the charity shelters up to 50 cats at a time.
"We need to get licenses," says Cox. "Unless they soften and allow us there for the next couple of years... It's not hopeful."
"We have never been paid a penny," says Cox. "We’ve brought over 4,000 cats off the streets. Right now they're dying outside in the cold."
"People get angry that they’re running around, where do you want them to go? The pounds can't destroy them fast enough... Somebody's got to care. A little kindness in this world would go a long way."
There are three things you can do to help:
1. Sign the petition link in our bio.
2. Donate (Either through their website, the petition link, or on Facebook).
3. Share by helping these kitties find safe & loving homes. @ Thornhill, Ontario
