Athena, a good-natured two-year-old Lab-Presa Canario cross was having a very good day, wagging her tail as she bounced about, making new friends, both human and canine.
She and owner Vanessa Trkulja were among dozens of attendees at the 20th annual walk for cats fundraiser held by the Langley-based Canadian Animal Rescue and Extended Shelter (CARES) at Derby Reach Park on Sunday, Sept. 17.
Trkulja, an Aldergrove resident, laughed as she described Athena as the result of an “oopsie” at a doggie day care, which produced the big, bright, and friendly dog that her family adopted through the Langley Animal Protection Society.
“She’s completed us,” Trkulja smiled.
“Our family’s very complete with her. So she’s a very great addition and a lot of fun to have.”
𝐂.𝐀.𝐑.𝐄.𝐒. 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 fundraiser is underway in Derby Reach Park pic.twitter.com/YhvQpUqqTN
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 17, 2023
More than 60 people registered for the walk, which raised an estimated $17,000 for the no-kill cat shelter, which was counting on the event to help trim a $20,000 deficit it had accumulated over eight months.
CARES vice-president Carol Briner estimated the shelter currently has about 150 cats and kittens in care.
“We’re kind of bursting at the seams,” Briner told the Langley Advance Times.
“Our vet bills have pushed us a bit into a deficit.”
While the amount “wouldn’t break us,” Briner explained the shelter doesn’t like to run deficits as a rule.
“It’s not good practice,” Briner said.
𝐂.𝐀.𝐑.𝐄.𝐒. 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 fundraiser is underway in Derby Reach Park pic.twitter.com/KrCkQUwI1i
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 17, 2023
CARES treasurer Clive Ellis estimated that the amount from the walk, combined with funds raised by two scheduled adoptathons over the next two months, should be enough to cover what he described as a “small deficit.”
Participants in the five-kilometre walk enjoyed a complimentary barbecue. There were giveaways, including gift cards to various grocery stores, cat care books, and food.
“I think it was a great day all around, for all of us,” Ellis commented.
𝐂.𝐀.𝐑.𝐄.𝐒. 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 fundraiser is underway in Derby Reach Park pic.twitter.com/qudevCo6oU
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 17, 2023
Founded in 1991, the no-kill shelter works to find permanent homes for hundreds of cats every year.
Any cats that aren’t adopted get to live out the rest of their lives at the shelter, receiving the medical care they need, with attention from volunteers and staff, rooms to play in, and other cat friends.
READ ALSO: CARES hosts 20th annual walk for cats fundraiser in Langley
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