The In/Out Board posted in the shelter hallway is one of the most important living documents we maintain at the shelter. 

It provides a record of every cat that enters or leaves the shelter and it took on a whole new life in 2025! 

What used to be a casual fixture in the hallway is now a beacon of hope and motivation and serves as a wonderful reminder of the rewards of working in rescue. 

We began the year with a 10 x 16 inch erasable board that recorded these comings and goings at the shelter. There used to be plenty of room on it - but as we hit March, we realised we were cramming names on both the in and out sides of the board to the point where towards the end of the month we would hear  "we need a bigger board!!" and that was definitely true ... 

So we got the bigger board!!! And then in a short span of two months, we heard "we need a bigger board - again !!!" 

And so it continued. Our In/Out board is currently a 12 x 24 inch board and we are now seriously considering having to buy 2 - one of ins and one for outs to truly accommodate all the comings and goings!

This is a testament of the hard work and dedication our volunteers put into each and every cat that enters our doors. 

2025 was an incredible year for adoptions, and every single month this year we have managed to have more cats going out than coming in !!! 

Every month, even the slow months had a minimum of 40 adoptions. That's at least 40 cats finding a furrever home after going through loss and hardship. The beloved streak of having more cats going out than coming in may seem silly to some, but it is a positive reinforcement and a reminder to everyone that what we do makes a difference. And even when our intakes are through the roof ... So are our adoptions! 

In comparison to 2024, each month this year we have increased our adoption rates by nearly double each month. We heard a rumour that one of our adoption counsellors is so proud of this accomplishment that she has a poster of the stats framed above her bed and is in the process of making a needlepoint tapestry commemorating this remarkable achievement in anticipation of 2026 being a continuation of that streak!

As we step into Spring, one special youngster has captured hearts throughout the shelter. Nine-month-old Studley Green, a kitten with cerebellar hypoplasia, has become a shining example of joy, resilience and pure spirit.

Studley’s balance and coordination are wobbly, but his enthusiasm is rock solid. His movements are a mix of wiggles, hops and the occasional dramatic tumble, but what truly makes him unforgettable is the way he approaches life. Cerebellar hypoplasia is not painful, progressive or contagious. Studley experiences the world like any other kitten would, full of curiosity and playfulness, just with a unique bounce in his step.

Since arriving at Katie’s Place, Studley has charmed everyone around him. Watching him learn, explore and problem solve is like watching a tiny miracle unfold. He braces himself, gathers his courage and launches toward his toys with complete joy. If he falls, he simply shakes himself off and tries again. His determination has become a daily reminder of  why we do what we do.

Caring for a CH kitten is often much easier than people expect. With a few soft rugs, a low-sided litter box and some patience as he maps his surroundings, Studley can thrive in a regular home environment. In return, he offers endless affection, lively play sessions and a comforting presence that fills a home with love.

Whether you adopt, foster, donate or simply spread awareness, your support helps special kittens like Studley find safety, stability and love.

"Living with FeLV cats is truly no different from living with any other lively feline. They still race through the house at two in the morning, swing from their cat trees, and sing the song of their people at meal times." Alexa, FeLV Cat Caretaker 

Feline Leukemia Virus, or FeLV, is a contagious form of feline-specific leukemia. It is a retrovirus transmitted between cats through bodily fluids, similar to how HIV is transmitted in humans. Many people are surprised to learn that most transmission happens during physical altercations between outdoor cats and strays. The virus can weaken a cat’s immune system so significantly that something minor, such as a simple upper respiratory infection, can become life threatening. There is currently no cure and survival rates are low for cats who contract FeLV before one year of age. Periodic retesting is recommended because a small number of cats can clear the virus over time. FeLV is not transmissible to humans or other animals, only to cats, which makes welcoming an FeLV cat into your home completely safe.

Caring for FeLV cats is very similar to caring for any other cat, with a few extra considerations. Illness awareness and cleanliness become even more important. A routine cold or stomach upset can be more serious for an FeLV cat, so being attentive and acting quickly is essential. Regular litter box cleaning, disinfecting, and washing food and water bowls help prevent exposure to pathogens. With these small routines and close attention to early signs of illness, FeLV cats can live very happy and comfortable lives.

Alexa, says: ‘living with FeLV cats is truly no different from living with any other lively feline. They still race through the house at two in the morning, swing from their cat trees, and sing the song of their people at meal times. My own FeLV boys, Dobby and Boris, both contracted the virus while living outside. When they were trapped and brought to Katie’s Place, they each arrived with colds brought on by stress. After antibiotics, rest and far too many treats, they are now thriving in my apartment. They fill my home with cuddles, chaos and joy. I cannot imagine my life without them’.

Katie’s Place runs on the dedication and heart of extraordinary volunteers. These individuals show up for the hard work, the quiet moments and everything in between. They are the ones who give up evenings with friends to sit with a scared newcomer, who drive sick cats to the hospital late at night, and who take on countless behind the scenes tasks that keep the shelter going.

Right now, one volunteer has turned her guest bedroom into a small intensive care unit for a cat too fragile to stay at the shelter. Acts of compassion like this happen every day, often without recognition. People often say it must be fun to play with cats all day, not realizing how much effort, time and emotional labour is involved in helping these animals find their way back to safety and trust.

Many of our cats arrive heartbroken. Their person has passed away or gone into care. Others have been abandoned due to illness, age or circumstance. We witness the grief and fear that follows losing a home. Some stop eating, some shut down completely, and some are too frightened to be touched. Helping them move from despair to hope is the greatest privilege of this work. A clean bed, gentle companionship and hearing that first tentative purr are the moments that remind us why we do this.

Cleaning is demanding. Floors, walls, cages, litter boxes and laundry fill every day of the week. There are no holidays from caring for lives that depend on us. Christmas morning looks the same as any other morning at the shelter. Yet cleaners continue to show up. Some stay for a few months and others for many years, becoming the backbone of the shelter.

Cleaners also respond to emergencies. They climb ladders to rescue terrified strays, transport new intakes and sick cats to the vet, and help maintain the building and grounds. Some cats spend their final days with us, and when the time comes, they are never alone. A volunteer is always there, offering comfort, warmth and a familiar voice. It is an honour none of us take lightly.

Long-term residents often form deep bonds with their cleaners. Losing them to adoption brings joy, but also tears. When adopters send photos or updates, it means more than they will ever know. We fall in love easily, and how could we not. These cats have endured so much and still choose to trust us. Like snowflakes, they pass through our hands and leave permanent marks on our hearts.

Katie’s Place is sustained entirely by volunteers, and the numbers speak for themselves. Every day, volunteers show up with love, compassion and a determination to give our cats the lives they deserve.

Here are some stunning statistics - on our roster we currently have:

• 82 room cleaners, with several taking on two cleaning shifts a week

• 11 cat whisperers, Grand Meows and Grand Paws

• More than 20 spare cleaners who step in when others are sick or away, often with very little notice

• More than 15 medicators

• Garden and yard caretakers

• A team dedicated to general maintenance

• 7 Board Members

• 6 vet drop off and pick up drivers

• 1 longer distance driver

• A team of 3 finance people

• 2 social media mavens

• A host of crafters who make fund raising items and those little catnip pouches that bring such comfort to our cats!
  
  

The shelter has ten areas that must be cleaned every day, plus our new outdoor Catio space. Altogether this comes to more than seventy shifts each week. That adds up to more than 3,640 cleaning shifts per year, all completed by volunteers. Not a single person receives a salary. It truly takes a village to run Katie’s Place and we are deeply grateful for ours.

Since our Facebook presence expanded, we have received ten to fifteen new volunteer applications each week. It is inspiring to see so many people wanting to be part of this work.

One volunteer shared, “Volunteering at Katie’s Place has become a place where I can show up exactly as I am. It is a space filled with people who love cats as much as I do. Every volunteer wants the cats to feel safe, cared for and happy, even the spicy ones we sometimes think will never change. There is something special about this place when so many of us, myself included, willingly drive almost an hour just to make it to a shift.”

The heart of Katie’s Place has always been the people who show up, week after week, because they believe every cat deserves comfort, safety and love. Thank you for being part of our community.