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CONTENTS
Letter From The Executive 1
Our Mission 2
Annual Statistics 3
Foster Homes 4
Volunteers 5-6
Major Rescues 7-8
Partnerships 9-11
Online Merchandise Store 12
Fundraising Events 13
Pet Food Bank 14
Volunteer Centre 15
Adopter Testimonials 16-17
Social Media 18
Sponsors 19
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE
Phew! 2015 was a very successful (and BUSY) year for Toronto Cat Rescue (TCR). We had another record
breaking year for the number of cats we rescued and cats adopted into loving homes! We are incredibly
proud of that. We know we are great rescuers. We know we are dedicated caregivers. And, we know we
have devoted volunteers. Last year, we recognized that we needed to focus on how to make sure we have
the right administrative supports in place to ensure that we run our organization efficiently and smoothly
and our volunteer base has the information and training they need to do their jobs well.
It seems like overnight our small grassroots rescue has blossomed into a much larger grassroots
organization. Over the last year, the executive spent time focusing on how we do things, how we can fill
gaps to help make our jobs easier and how we can be more effective. We are constantly trying to find ways
to improve our processes and procedures to help us fill our mandate.
In looking at the need for more administrative support, our first step in this initiative was to contract with an
experienced TCR volunteer, Heather Brown, as our executive director. Heather has worked tirelessly over
the year to improve the day-to-day functioning of TCR, as well as worked on some more strategic pieces of
work. Having a dedicated resource looking at our organization as a whole and filling the necessary gaps has
been a real asset.
The administration of our organization is definitely not the exciting part of rescue work but it is so essential
to what we do well and avoiding volunteer burn out. In 2015, TCR started developing volunteer
management support, created job descriptions for the roles in TCR, and obtained a rescue space to help
with transitioning cats from shelters to foster homes. This is just a few of the initiatives we have undertaken.
-Kyra Augustyn, on behalf of the TCR Executive
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OUR LEADERS
Jenn Cave Chair / Executive Officer
Kyra Augustyn Vice Chair / Executive Officer
Lisa Brost Executive Officer
Michelle Loney Executive Officer
Sarah May Executive Officer
Nalini Ramroop Executive Officer
Darlene Tansey Executive Officer
Linda Weeks Treasurer / Executive Officer
Heather Brown Executive Director
Toronto Cat Rescue is a registered, no-kill
charity run by volunteers.
Our mission is to rescue and find homes for abandoned, sick
or injured cats from situations of abuse, neglect or
imminent euthanasia.
Our vision is for Toronto to be a city in which no adoptable
cat is killed and rescue organizations such as
Toronto Cat Rescue are no longer needed.
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ANNUAL STATISTICS
480 485
667
1413
1665 1586
1786
1590
2163
2660
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Annual Adoptions
39%
30%
12%
6%
5%
3%
2%
2%1%
2015 Intake Toronto Animal Services
Transfer - Other
Stray - KW
Stray - Other
Owner Surrenders
Help For Cats Program
Returns
KWCC Project
TAS Feral Cat Recovery
Centre
In the GTA we rescue primarily from
Toronto Animal Services (TAS). In the
KW area, we rescue strays from
Hillside Kennels, and the KW
Humane Society.
TCR also has the Owner Surrender
program where owners can put
their pets up for adoption.
This program was transitioned into
the Courtesy Adoption Posting
Program in 2015.
We accept any TCR cat returned us.
*Transfers outside of TAS were rescued from various groups, such as London Animal Care Centre, Humane
Society International, and various SPCA agencies throughout Ontario.
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FOSTER
HOMES
TCR does not have a shelter. We have a network of loving foster homes. Our cats are
placed in our volunteer foster homes to await their adoption, which is why foster
homes are such an important part of TCR’s program. Each foster home space that we
have available represents one more cat that we can rescue. Our foster homes are
always full because there is an endless need for them!
Thank you to each and every one of our wonderful foster homes.
Without your commitment we could not save so many lives each year!
If you are interested on applying to foster a cat (and save a life!), visit
torontocatrescue.ca/volunteer/foster-homes
to join our foster family today!
FOSTER HOMES
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VOLUNTEERS
TCR is 100% volunteer-run. Here’s a snapshot of what volunteers do:
advertising, adopt-a-thons, bottle feeding, coordinating, driving, designing, e-mailing, events, fostering,
fundraising, grooming, giving medicine, jumping for joy with each adoption, laundry, liaising, listening,
naming kittens, organizing events, PR, pamphlets, paying bills, paperwork, phoning, questioning potential
adopters, rescuing, recovery, spay/neuter booking, screening adopters and new foster homes, taking
pictures, tax receipts, trapping, updating lists, vet appointments, x-rays, yawning at midnight, & zipping
around the GTA!
The time, effort, resources, and support provided by our network of
volunteers is phenomenal – THANK YOU!
TCR
TCR
-Arlene Thomas, Volunteer
VOLUNTEERS
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ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER ROLES
ADOPTION COUNSELORS: When a member of the public is interested in
adopting a TCR cat, they first speak with an Adoption Counsellor to be screened and approved for adoption.
These volunteers make sure that all cats are adopted into safe and loving homes that will fit their needs and
personalities. Post-Adoption Counsellors make sure that cats are settling in well to the new homes once they
have been adopted.
DRIVERS: Our driver volunteers are instrumental in helping cats get from point A to point B – often
making trips to Toronto Animal Services, foster homes throughout Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, pet
stores, veterinarian offices, or adopt-a-thons. We’re always looking for more volunteers to assist with drives!
EVENT SCREENERS: During adopt-a-thon events that take place at our partner pet
stores, we often need volunteers to screen potential adopters on site and manage the cats and adoptions
that day.
FOSTER COORDINATORS: Jenn, Kyra, Sarah, and Darlene are the four amazing
Foster Coordinators who liaise with all our foster homes. Their knowledge, dedication, and on-going
commitment ensures that all foster parents feel supported in their roles.
FOSTER HOMES: With over 400 foster homes, the cats we rescue are able to receive the
necessary medical attention, socialization, and care they need to make sure they are ready to be adopted
into their forever homes. Foster homes are essential to the success of TCR!
FOSTER SCREENERS: These patient, dedicated volunteers help screen potential foster
homes to ensure all cats will be placed in a loving & safe foster home while they await adoption.
STORE VOLUNTEERS: Occasionally, cats will be placed in one of our eleven partner pet
stores to give them extra exposure, increasing their chances of adoption. Store Volunteers make sure the
cats are lovingly taken care of each day they spend in the stores.
TORONTO CAT RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
Community Outreach Coordinator
Database Administrator
Donations Coordinator
Driver Coordinator
Feral Colony Coordinator
Finance Coordinator
Fundraising Coordinator
Intake Coordinator
Kitchener Chapter Coordinator
Newsletter Coordinator
Social Media Coordinator
Stray Rescue Coordinator
Storage Coordinator
Third Party Fundraising Coordinator
Vet Clinic Coordinator
Website Coordinator
Apply to become a volunteer today! www.torontocatrescue.ca/volunteer
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RAGDOLL & HIMALAYAN RESCUE
In July 2015, Toronto Cat Rescue (TCR) helped with a terrible hoarding case in the east end of the
city, in partnership with Toronto Animal Services (TAS). A former Ragdoll and Himalayan breeder
wasn’t able to care for her cats anymore, and these beautiful cats were found in deplorable
conditions, many of them with feces-encrusted fur mats and serious medical conditions.
Over 60 Ragdoll and Himalayan cats were removed from a one bedroom apartment and brought
to a Toronto Animal Services shelter by animal control officers. TAS staff worked to initially assess
them, while TCR took the cats in the worst shape to vet clinics.
All of the cats in TCR’s care had health issues that needed immediate attention. We needed our
volunteer’s help to get them the urgent vet care they needed. With a call out for donations, we
were able to raise well over our fundraising target to help cover the costs for their dental surgery,
treatment for colds and eye infections, and shaving to remove painfully matted fur.
By the end of 2015, we can happily say that all of these lovable cats have now found their forever
homes and are living happy, healthy lives!
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On November 30, 2015, TCR’s amazing team of volunteers once again came together to help 38 cats
from a hoarding situation involving 60+ cats in Quebec. Humane Society International (HSI) asked for
help, and Toronto Cat Rescue (TCR) foster parents and volunteers answered! With the help of a grant
from PetSmart Charities, every single one of these cats had a foster parent waiting to welcome them
in Toronto.
Only days later, Toronto Cat Rescue also helped another group of cats from Quebec who had been
rescued from a different hoarding situation and were also seeking foster home placements. This
time last year in 2014, TCR pulled off a similar miracle over the holidays, taking in 50 cats from
Quebec via Humane Society International Canada.
Throughout the year, it is common for cats to be found in crowded conditions like these, and
Toronto Cat Rescue is often the only organization that Toronto Animal Services, Humane Society
International, and other partners can turn to for help.
To help cats in situations like these, consider making a donation today!
LARGE RESCUES FROM HOARDING
SITUATIONS IN QUEBEC
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/30/cats-rescued-in-quebec-set-
to-find-purr-fect-homes-in-toronto
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PARTNERSHIP WITH
TORONTO ANIMAL SERVICES
On January 1, 2014, Toronto Cat Rescue and
Toronto Animal Services (TAS) officially partnered to
reduce the number of cats facing possible
euthanasia in our city shelters.
Through this partnership, cats that were ill, injured,
orphaned, geriatric, FIV+, scared, shy and under-
socialized were transferred from TAS shelters to
Toronto Cat Rescue foster homes.
Once again, we would like to express our gratitude
to the tireless and dedicated staff at TAS and to our
amazing foster parents for coming together and
being a hero to close to 1000 of the city’s most
vulnerable cats.
46%
28%
19%
6%
1%
Reason for Transfer
Age
(Unweaned/Nursing)
Behavioural
Medical
Age (Senior)
FIV+
55%33%
7%
5%
Age at Intake
Kittens
(Under 4 Months)
Adult
(1-7 Years)
Seniors
(8+ Years)
Young Adult
(4-11 Months)
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In early 2015, Toronto Cat Rescue took
over the management of the Feral Cat
Recovery Centre (RC) on behalf of the
Toronto Feral Cat Coalition.
The RC, located in an industrial complex
in Scarborough, provides a safe and
healthy space for feral/stray cats to
recover from their spay/neuter surgery
prior to being returned to their
colonies.
Besides the important work of
providing a safe and secure place for
cats to recover from spay/neuter
surgery, the RC is also a place for
caretaker support and for Coalition
members to neatly store organized
supplies and materials pertaining to
TNR and feral cats. The RC also has a
trap bank to provide traps to colony
caretakers and trappers who do not
have access to them otherwise, and has
shelters available for purchase.
Over 500 cats recovered at the RC in
2015 and we expect those numbers to
increase as spay/neuter services across
the city continues to expand.
FERAL CAT RECOVERY CENTRE
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TCR IN KITCHENER-WATERLOO
Kitchener Waterloo Community Cats (KWCC)
This group’s mission is to reduce and manage homeless cats in the community through a Trap,
Neuter, Return, Manage (TNRM) program. KWCC operates as a TNR project of Toronto Cat Rescue.
KW Spay/Neuter Clinic for Homeless Cats
This past year TCR and the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society worked in partnership to run a one
day a week free spay/neuter clinic. This exciting work has been made possible by a private
donation. KWCC reaches out to the public to educate about the merits of TNRM and organizes the
spay/neuter appointments for feral or homeless cats. We have recently completed the first year of
our free spay/neuter clinic and we have spayed and neutered 567 cats! The private donation has
been carried over for 2016 and the spay/neuter clinic will continue on for another year.
TCR continues to accept cats that have been deemed "unadoptable" by KWHS. These cats are
transferred to TCR and are either socialized in TCR foster homes if potential is seen or sent to barn
homes that KWCC locates, assesses and sets up. This program is saving the lives of many cats who
otherwise would have been euthanized.
‘L;’
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ONLINE MERCHANDISE
Mid-way through 2015, Toronto Cat Rescued launched a new online store to sell merchandise to
the public to help raise money for our life-saving endeavours. The online store has been a
success so far, with almost $10,000 in sales made online during the period the store was open in
2015 (July to December).
Our top-selling items were the 2016 calendars, the Real Men Love Cats t-shirts, the cat face & tail
tote bags, and the purple ladies t-shirt. We also have some exciting new items planned for 2016!
Blah blah put some info here!
Most popular item for sale?
List of items available?
Total amount sold?
Sell them at various events too, like adopt-a-thons, Mega, Vegan Fest, Pet Show near airport, etc.
SHOP ONLINE
toronto-cat-rescue.mybigcommerce.com
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11TH
ANNUAL BOWL-A-THON
On Saturday, May 2, 2015, TCR supporters
gathered for a fun day of bowling, pizza, and
prizes. The 11th Annual Bowl-a-thon was great
fun, and together we raised $13,500 for cats!
Congratulations to our top bowler, Alexandra B.
who individually raised over $1,000! A huge thank
you also goes out to our sponsors, especially our
presenting sponsor Minuk Construction &
Engineering Co., and our Silver Kitten sponsor
Durham Fasteners and all the amazing volunteers,
bowlers and donors!
Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and donated prizes and pledges. We look
forward to seeing you at the 2016 Bowl-a-thon happening on April 23, 2016! For more information,
visit:
On Sunday, October 18, 2015, an amazing team
of supporters participated in the Scotiabank
Toronto Waterfront Marathon in support of cats.
In 2015, we had an incredible team of 50+
runners and walkers who collectively
raised $20,603 for the TCR cats!
We couldn't be more thankful for the dedication
and hard work of this year's team. Many months
were spent not only fundraising, but in many
cases, training to run the 5k, half-marathon and
even the full marathon. Get ready to run/walk
again on October 16, 2016!
TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON
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Every month, TCR joins forces with The
Salvation Army to provide dog and cat
food to feral cat colony feeders and pet
parents with low incomes. TCR brings bags
and cans of food directly to the food bank
from the Recovery Centre in Scarborough
and distributes the food to Salvation Army
clients.
Any food not handed out during the
monthly distribution is left at the food
bank for clients who need it throughout
the rest of the month. This is a truly
important collaboration and initiative
between the two charitable agencies.
TCR is always in need of more pet food so we can continue helping those who take care of
stray community cats, as well as their own pets. During the coldest months of the year, these
donations are crucial and needed more than ever. TCR will gratefully accept bags of food that
have already been opened that perhaps your pet didn't like, cans of food from the vet or pet
store that have recently expired, unopened bags of food - it will all help! Please spread the
word about our monthly pet food drive so we can continue providing and distributing food.
It's a truly rewarding experience to meet with the Salvation Army clients every month and hear
about the stories of the animals they care for. Please help us keep it going!
Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make this new Pet Food Bank come to life in
2015! We are excited to see the impact it will continue to make in 2016.
For donations or questions, please contact wishlist@torontocatrescue.ca.
Food Bank Location: Weston & Eglinton Road
PET FOOD BANK
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In the fall of 2015 we announced that in an effort to better support our volunteers and narrow
inefficiencies in our rescue work, the Executive had approved plans to open a physical location. We are
thrilled to report that we have secured a location for our new Volunteer Centre! With plenty of free
parking and TTC accessible, the 1800 square foot Volunteer Centre will be conveniently located in the
Dundas/Royal York area of central Etobicoke.
We envision the Volunteer Centre as having three main purposes to address our growing needs as an
organization:
Volunteer Training: With so many volunteers willing to help, we need a central space for us all to
congregate. The Volunteer Centre will be used as a hub for our volunteer activities: to host training
sessions, workshops, community events, and meetings. With a central location to hold training and
provide resources, we will be able to help you all improve your skills and experience and ultimately save
more lives. As we’ve never had a space like this before, our capacity to train our volunteers has been very
limited up until this point. The Volunteer Centre will take our ability to support you all to the next level.
Cat Assessment & Intake: One of TCR’s greatest strengths is our foster parents. By providing a
loving home for the cats we rescue, foster parents allow us to save thousands of lives each year despite
the fact that we do not have a shelter. Those of you that are foster parents help cats recover from illness,
socialize shy cats and kittens, and provide all the benefits of a home that a shelter environment simply
cannot. The Volunteer Centre will allow us to temporarily house cats as they are rescued so that we can
assess their needs and match them with appropriate foster homes, providing medical treatment right at
intake so that the foster parent is properly prepared. This will be especially beneficial for when we rescue
large numbers of cats from emergency situations, allowing us to help with hoarding cases, disaster relief,
and other urgent scenarios that require a central holding spot to organize the rescue from.
Supply Storage: Finally, the Volunteer Centre will provide much needed storage space for TCR’s
adopt-a-thon and special event supplies, online store merchandise, and volunteer and organizational
resources. With the added space to effectively store these items, we will waste less time getting them to
and from the many different places they are currently stored and become much more efficient as an
organization.
Please join us in making a donation of $20 today. With over 900 volunteers currently behind TCR,
imagine how quickly we can achieve our fundraising goal by all giving what we can to the project!
VOLUNTEER CENTRE – OPENING SOON!
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When little Aslan first came into the care of Toronto Cat
Rescue, his nose and mouth were badly injured from a
suspected chemical burn. This young, un-socialized stray
kitten was also diagnosed as being fully blind, perhaps
contributing to his accidental injury to his nose.
He was immediately given medical attention and a call out
for a new foster home to take this little one in. When his
vision was re-tested after his neuter surgery, it was
determined that he is partially blind, not fully blind.
Additionally, within weeks of being in his foster home, he
quickly turned from a hissing, growling little beast into a
purring machine! It was no surprise that he was adopted
within days of being posted on our adoption website!
Aslan’s adoptive family shares:
We just wanted to say thank you [TCR] for
helping us add Samson (now Aslan) to our
family back in November 2015! He is such a
fun, playful and happy kitty! He purrs all day
and likes to play all day long. He likes to be in
the same room as his people and follows us
wherever we go, and sleeps with us every night.
His favourite game is to hide and then jump
out at our feet as we walk by and tackle them.
He makes us laugh every day and we are so
grateful to have this sweetie in our home!
ADOPTION SUCCESS STORY
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Toronto Cat Rescue has five active social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
and Pinterest. Our wonderful supporters help us find our cats forever homes, donate, fill volunteer
roles, and help us educate the public on cat-related issues. The most successful plea this year was
our Ragdoll & Himalayan rescue in July 2015.
Facebook is our most successful form of engagement with 9,093 supporters (an increase of 37%
from last year). News of our Himalayan rescue reached over 31,000 people organically on
Facebook alone.
Twitter has increased 30% over last year with 4,422 followers, averaging 20 re-tweets per day.
Instagram almost doubled in supporters increasing to 2,164 from 1,200.
Our customized YouTube channel views went up by 28% (4,451 to 5,719). The channel has been
used to promote TCR events and educate the public on our rescue missions.
We launched our Pinterest account in July 2015, with six key boards, and 200 pins; we have 60
followers. We are excited to increase our awareness on Pinterest in 2016!
Facebook.com/TorontoCatRescue
Twitter.com/TorontoCatRescu
Instagram.com/TorontoCatRescu
YouTube.com/TorontoCatRescue
Pinterest.com/TorontoCatRescu
SOCIAL MEDIA
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TCR does not receive any government funding. We rely solely on adoption fees, fundraising,
grants, and generous donors to keep our program running. In addition to every individual who
donates to TCR, we thank the following corporate sponsors for their contribution to our cause.
Many companies will match their employees' charitable donations of money or volunteer time.
This is a wonderful way to double your impact and make a big difference for rescue cats! To get
started, contact your employer’s HR department to find out if and how they will match your
charitable donation.
AAA Air Conditioning Inc.
Animal Alliance of Canada
Bin Express
BMO Bank of Montreal
Centennial College
Chosen Vintage
CIBC
Cineflix
Club Petsit
Cosmopawlitan Inc.
Critters In Need Inc.
Durham Fasteners
Dynevor Express
Evangeline Rose Ltd.
FedEx
Green Shield Canada
Home Depot
Intact insurance
McGowan Roofing
Minuk Construction & Engineering
Ontario Natural Food Coop
PetSmart
Pet Valu
RBC Royal Bank
Telus
TD Canada Trust
The Little Grape That Could
The Stonestreet Carpentry Co. Inc.
TO Truck World Inc.
Travelers Support Centre
Western Pet Insurance
SPONSORS
