Markham's cat adoption centre gets set to purr

YorkRegion.com
Jan. 10, 2016

Construction is now complete on Markham’s new Cat Adoption and Education Centre, located in the Thornhill Community Centre and Library, the city said this week.

The official opening ceremony will take place Feb. 23.

The “storefront” adoption and education centre model was approved by Markham city council in June.

It provides a solution towards reducing cat euthanasia rates in the region with the goal of facilitating more than 200 cat adoptions each year.

The CAEC will also provide education services and awareness programs on animal care and wellness.

Facilities in Welland and Niagara Falls have experienced great success with the similar storefront models.

“With construction now complete, the new CAEC is the first of its kind in the GTA and the first cat adoption storefront in Ontario to be funded by a municipality,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said in a media release. “We’re very proud of the new centre, and eager for the community to learn more and participate in this unique initiative that will bring families and cats needing homes together.”

The CAEC will house 17 cats on a regular basis in what the city says is a convenient, accessible location for adoption and education services.

All the cats will be in excellent health, spayed or neutered, have up-to-date vaccinations and will be ready for “on-the-spot” adoption, the city says.

Currently, the closest adoption facility in York Region is the Newmarket branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“Markham’s innovative and holistic approach to the new CAEC, will also include pet education tools and children’s reading therapy programs,” Scarpitti added. “The children’s reading program, designed in conjunction with Markham’s library service, is a unique reading development program to enhance children’s reading skills through pets.”

Other community programs planned for the CAEC will include anxiety therapy programs, a Junior Vets program and educational involvement with local schools including students enrolled in Veterinary Technician Programs along with volunteering opportunities for Seniors’ and community groups.

For those who have never taken in a pet, the centre will offer a variety of education and information tools about choosing the right pet for their family and the many aspects of animal care.

“With the integrated experience the centre provides, the goal is for more local families to experience the joy of opening their homes to healthy, vaccinated and well-adjusted cats in need of a new “forever home”,” said Ward 1 Councillor Valerie Burke, an
animal care committee member.

The daily operation of the CAEC and care of cats will be managed by the OSPCA and trained volunteers under the direction of City of Markham staff.

Since the CAEC is not an animal shelter, the intake of unwanted animals will continue to be offered by the OSPCA’s Newmarket shelter.