ASSINIBOIA -- Darlene Skalicky has always loved cats which resulted in her offering volunteer street cat rescues in Assiniboia for the last seven years. However, she has communicated via Facebook post that she is no longer able to commit to this valuable volunteer service.
Her recent social media post announcing cessation of the volunteer cat rescue service she offered Assiniboia stated, “With a torn heart I am letting the community know I will no longer be rescuing street cats. When I bring the cats to get fixed and vaccinated and bring them to my house or garage my cat Millie gets very anxious and with the stress develops health issues that need to be addressed. I can’t kill my cat saving others. I will pay up my bills and tie up the loose ends and if there is money left over, I will leave it at the Bonnie’s vets office to use at their discretion if someone needs help”
Self funded through bake sales, product provided from herself, her sisters and a friend, as well as selling woodwork her husband created, garage sales, accepting donations of bottles and cans, selling calendars with photos of cats she rescued, a Christmas photo shoot, donated crocheted cat beds that were sold and handmade catnip bags all contributed to helping raise funds to maintain this operation.
All of the fundraisers were initiated and managed by Skalicky.
“People also donated items for draws that I sold tickets on and I don’t want to leave anyone out, people are generous and wanted to help raise money needed for this cat rescue,” said Skalicky.
The Assiniboia resident worked on her own when she had the time or when she got a call about a cat needing help. The vet clinic of Assiniboia, with Skalicky naming Bonnie Brandt and her staff, for being so understanding and accommodating with her efforts.
Skalicky acknowledges, “I don’t know exact number of cats and kittens rescued, but I would say 100 or more. In 2023 I spay and neutered and vaccinated and fiv tested and re-homed 28 adults plus vaccines for 11 kittens. I would help these cats find home but had them vetted before finding fur ever homes as well as giving new owner donation for food and litter.”
Skalicky affirms that her biggest highlight was knowing these cats wouldn’t reproduce and would live a better life of luxuries on someone’s couch and in a warm, safe home.
“I am in contact with lots of the owners still and it makes my heart happy. Some are right here in town and some cats have been adopted out in BC”
With her own cat being adversely affected by the care and fostering of continued new rescue cats in her garage and home, Skalicky said it was also hard to secure foster homes for cats and she is struggling with a bad back making it more difficult to do the work she did, thus the decision was made to cease her operations.
The decision was a difficult one and the cat rescuer said, “I feel sad not doing it anymore but I couldn’t do 1/2 a job and a big part of the rescue is the fostering.”
Skalicky hopes someone with the same passion as she has for cats will have the desire to continue on with these cat rescue tasks.
“If pet owners would have their animals cats or dogs spayed and neutered and vaccinated that would make this job non existent. I plead for people to do the responsible things and do this, as well as be kind to street cats. Give them food and for sure set out water for them They haven’t asked to be homeless. People have let them down. It really breaks my heart.”
While the Assiniboia woman wasn’t affiliated with other cat rescue operations but does appreciate the help of Running Wild Rescue to helping her find homes for those cats rescued.
Some residents responded to the social media announcement with thanks and appreciation on her years of service to this cause in the community.
It remains to be seen if residents will soon notice the absence of street cat rescue in their community or if someone will take on the admirable task Skalicky provided for nearly a decade.
