Local rescue works to keep up with rising number of cats in need

Terra and Taffy are just two of the cats up for adoption through Heavenly Hills. Those interested in finding their new best friend can contact Heavenly Hills at heavenlyhillsadopt@gmail.com

By Dan Rolph

What started as a sanctuary for farm animals has become a busy rescue for cats in need of a home.

Heavenly Hills Animal Sanctuary in Lucan was created by Sonia Kastanis in 2000. She opened her property to neglected or abused farm animals, giving them seven acres to roam on and live out their lives in peace. Heavenly Hills has had llamas, chickens, goats, ducks, dogs and cats over the years.

“I’ve always loved animals, and we’ve always had animals,” said Kastanis.

Now, more than two decades later, the love for animals remains at the heart of what Heavenly Hills does every day, but the local rescue has shifted to tackle what was revealed to be an area in need of their undivided attention.

Cats.

“It got so busy with the cats that it was impossible,” said Kastanis.

At any given time, Kastanis said Heavenly Hills is caring for around 200 cats. Though based in Lucan, Heavenly Hills doesn’t keep its cats on-site, instead opting to work alongside fosters and local stores while searching for new homes for the cats coming into their care.

“It’s nuts,” said Kastanis. “It’s a lot, but it’s made possible with all of the help of the volunteers and the fosters. Without them, it’s impossible.”

The cats coming to Heavenly Hills are brought to them from places throughout the region, including from Huron, Lambton and Middlesex counties. Kastanis said the cats may come from anywhere from a barn to a hoarding situation, and that they are all in need of safe, loving homes.

“They come from everywhere,” she said. “We’ve had Grand Bend, the Goderich area. There’s not many rescues in those areas, so they call us.

“We get calls from all over the place just for help. We do our best.”

Kastanis said the number of cats coming into their care has grown over the years, but she said the rescue saw a spike particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic — a spike that has continued to keep Heavenly Hills busy.

“There’s always been tons of cats, but it’s beyond belief,” she said. “It’s getting to be more and more. It just never ends.”

With the closure of the Ontario SPCA Huron Animal Centre in Goderich in 2018, local options to find help for strays have become limited to the few remaining independent rescues operating in the region.

At Heavenly Hills, every cat that is adopted through them is spayed or neutered and receives its shots, flea treatment and deworming, which is covered by their $300 adoption fee.

“Nobody leaves without those,” she said.

Though Kastanis said they aim to keep the cats they care for in the area as they’re being fostered, she said those looking to adopt may come from anywhere.

“If the application and the family is great, it doesn’t matter where they come from,” she said.

Kastanis said people are often surprised to learn about the amount of spending required to cover veterinarian bills and other expenses. Though spaying and neutering is discounted, other treatments are usually at full price, while prices for various necessary everyday items only add onto the bills.

“We could spend $1,000 on one cat, and then we’re only charging the minimum adoption fee,” she said. “All of that is out of pocket, so we have to make that up somehow.

“The struggle is real, financially. It’s scary sometimes.”

For Heavenly Hills, the costs associated with caring for the growing number of cats has left them needing to get creative to cover the bills, leading the opening of Blooming Hills Boutique.

Opened at 14636 Elginfield Road in Lucan, Kastanis sells home goods at the boutique, with all proceeds going toward supporting Heavenly Hills. The boutique’s selection includes artificial plants, garden decorations, household décor and plenty of cat-themed items to fit their ongoing mission.

“Anything that we sell here just goes directly to help all the cats,” said Kastanis.

Looking ahead, Kastanis said she hopes to hold a grand opening event for the boutique in the coming months. She said she also would like to turn the boutique into more of a destination for visitors, adding tables and chairs where guests could enjoy a cup of coffee while stopping by to support the rescue.

Blooming Hills Boutique is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kastanis said Heavenly Hills is always looking for support in the form of volunteers as well, particularly those willing to foster cats. Other volunteer opportunities include event setups and transportation.

“We always need fosters,” she said. “We’re always looking for fosters.”

For Kastanis, the work is demanding, costly and seemingly never-ending. But even with the number of cats coming to Heavenly Hills reaching new heights, the goal remains giving every cat a chance at finding a safe and loving home.

For more information about Heavenly Hills Animal Sanctuary, visit their Facebook page @heavenly.hills.animals.