Woodstock Kitten Nursery launches GoFundMe amid financial and volunteer struggles

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

The Woodstock Kitten Nursery and Rescue launched a GoFundMe page to ensure operations to support abandoned cats and kittens continue.

Cathrine Black, founder of the organization, told the Echo that the organization has been operating out of her basement, but it’s becoming unaffordable. The GoFundMe page aims to cover current expenses to continue operating and eventually build a nursery along with hiring a registered veterinary technician. As of Jan. 13, about $1,850 out of the $50,000 goal was raised.

Black said that reception was positive for a few days. However, after technical difficulties shut down the page, people are reluctant to donate.

“We are very far from our goal. We hope it will pick up again as we provide updates and new information from our board members and volunteers. We need this funding to continue to operate in the basement of our home.”

Black explained she sold a rental home to afford a partial down payment on the space where the organization is operating. She got the green light for the required zoning to build the nursery starting in the spring.

“Our struggle now is trying to raise funds to start the new build while trying to keep the nursery operating in the basement as the expenses are too much for us to handle personally.”

Over the past four years, the volunteer-run organization has helped over 500 cats and kittens. The Woodstock Kitten Nursery and Rescue faced a never-ending kitten season with little support from municipal or provincial governments.

“We believe the province and municipalities need to step up to help more financially. By educating our communities with the knowledge and understanding that we, the charities and non-profits in the area, are stepping up to do our best to relieve some of the pressure on our communities dealing with the animal dumping crisis, perhaps they will more readily support our work.”

Financial donations are also lower, as it has been with other charities.

“Animal welfare charities have been extremely hard hit as people's disposable incomes also dry up,” Black said. “It is a very precarious position to be in but as animal lovers, we cannot just give up and throw in the towel. Therefore, we keep fighting and fundraising with the hope that we will somehow win this battle.”

Black added several of her young volunteers with mental health issues have improved their coping skills.

“Because of our inclusiveness and compassionate volunteers,” she said. “We have seen tremendous growth in their self-esteem and watched as their coping skills flourish as they care for the cats and kittens here. We work as a team and everyone participates as much as they are comfortable with.”

Still, the Woodstock Kitten Nursery urgently needs volunteers to help with the nursery and fundraising. Black said the organization struggles with volunteer retention.

“Many of our volunteers have had to take mental health breaks which is quite understandable in our current environment. Compassion fatigue is real, and we need more volunteers to lessen the load for our core volunteers, coordinators and board members,” she said.

Donations to the GoFundMe campaign will be accepted online via https://www.gofundme.com/f/Save-wknr. More information about the Woodstock Kitten Nursery and Rescue can be found by visiting www.facebook.com/woodstockkittennursery.