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LAPS fantasy gala makes ISOasis a reality

More than $65,000 was raised at Alice Through the Looking Glass-themed event to benefit Langley Animal Protection Society
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Volumes of literary characters came out to support LAPS at its annual gala Saturday. This year’s theme was Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Furry tail endings have come true for the future kittens and existing feral cats of Langley, thanks to the generous support of hundreds who attended Saturday’s LAPS gala.

With 400 animal lovers turning out for the Alice Through the Looking Glass-themed evening at Cascades Casino and conference centre, more than $65,000 was raised for the Langley Animal Protection Society.

“We feel very grateful and so supported. It truly was a super fun evening,” said LAPS acting executive director, Jayne Nelson.

“We had great live music, the magician was fantastic, Nat and Drew (from 103.5 radio) were awesome, the DJ had everyone dancing.”

The entire evening was live streamed with more than 5,000 views across the world. Support for LAPS’ work with animals is supported in 45 different countries. One woman is currently here from Paris to volunteer at the shelter and another comes every year from Idaho to help set up the gala.

The biggest announcement of the evening was that after two years of planning, fundraising and larger donations, including the financial commitment from the Township, LAPS will break ground on the much-needed ISOasis building for kittens and cats. It will be a separate building on the Patti Dale Animal Shelter grounds.

“We will have it up and running just before kitten season starts again next spring,” said Nelson, who noted that in the last two weeks they have taken in 35 kittens, bringing the year’s total so far to more than 300.

Cat overpopulation in Langley is a serious problem and that’s why the ISOasis is necessary.

With the recent influx of kittens comes ringworm and a host of other health issues that are best dealt with in a stand alone building that has isolation rooms, medical rooms, etc. Forty or more cats will be able to be housed in the new ISOasis, she said.

To make the new building a reality the cost is around $500,000. Longtime LAPS supporters Pat and Mark Dumont donated $50,000 to get the project up and running.

“They support us year after year. They also adopt our senior dogs, who are often in need of palliative care. They have big hearts,” Nelson said.

The Shewan Foundation also donated $20,000 and have supported LAPS for a long time.

In total, 470 individuals donated a total of $37,000 for the ISOasis.

The Township is matching those totals up to 40 per cent.

“The Township is a very progressive organization that values animal welfare. It’s really amazing,” said Nelson.

PHOTO BELOW: This is what the new ISOasis will look like once complete next spring.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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