Whisker Rescue, a local no-kill organization rescuing cats, is holding its annual garage sale this summer.
The facility relies on volunteers and foster families to give cats entering their program a temporary home until their forever home is found.
Before the big sale, there will be a BBQ kick-off event July 8th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pidherney Curling Centre in Red Deer. People will have a chance to grab some food and learn about the adoption process and browse through some merchandise. Garage sale donations will also be accepted at this time.
Donations can be dropped off at the Pidherney Curling Centre from July 10th – 28th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We’re not taking electronics, mattresses or clothes. The garage sale itself is August 4th, 5th and 6th,” said Diane Webber, coordinator for the garage sale.
The garage sale will be open to the public Aug. 4th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Aug. 5th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Aug. 6th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All proceeds for the two events will go to provide medial and foster care for rescue cats.
“Whisker Rescue, were just rescuing cats, and we’ve adopted out close to 3,000 since we started,” said Webber, adding that they serve the area of Central Alberta.
She said they offer different programs including a subsidize spay and neuter for people who can’t afford it.
They also have a senior for seniors’ program.
“We’ll give a senior a cat for free. If they can’t afford food and litter we’ll provide it and we help with the vet bills,” she said.
Although the paperwork isn’t done quite yet, they were just given a grant to neuter about 200 cats.
When asked about the condition of stray cats in Central Alberta, she said there are too many, and the easy solution is for people to spay and neuter.
“It’s really that simple. If everybody did that you wouldn’t have need for rescue organizations because the cat population wouldn’t be as terrible as it is now.”
Webber said the sale has been going on now for almost 10 years.
“You could decorate and fill your apartment. There’s furniture, there’s everything,” she said about the garage sale.
And all money, she said, goes to the cats. Last year, they made almost $30,000.
At the sale, food will also be available for purchase along with raffle baskets.
“And the raffle baskets will be food, gift cards, gas gift cards, Boston Pizza, Mr. Mikes and $200 in lottery tickets,” said Anderson.
They will also be selling 50/50 tickets, with the winner being discussed this winter.
Currently, Whisker Rescue has about 70 cats and rely on their foster people very much.
For more information on the facility, visit whiskerrescue.com.
