Whether you are interested in cat rescue and fostering or already lend a hand, this page is for you.
I started this page to share how I trapped Mitsy, a feral neighbourhood cat wary of human contact. After helping her raise her last litter, I never imagined she would settle into life indoors with us. She did, and my husband and I still consider it remarkable.
Finding the information we needed demanded persistence and brought plenty of anxious moments. Caring for a pregnant feral cat who avoids people is nothing like helping a socialised rescue. Even so, the effort paid off: Mitsy is now a treasured part of our family.
Mitsy’s Nursery Blog follows her transformation from a feral cat into a much-loved indoor companion. Alongside her story, the diary shares useful guidance for anyone planning a similar rescue.
Use the menu at the side or bottom to select a topic. The summaries that follow outline the content of each page.
My cat parade
My cat parade elebrates the many cats that have been part of my life, including those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I discovered the poem after my 20-year-old cat, Dixie, died and the cremation service shared it with me. Its words can bring comfort to anyone mourning a beloved animal.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Practical Tips and tricks
Here you will find practical advice for setting up a safe room for a pregnant feral cat. The smallest unanswered questions often caused the greatest worry because reliable information was hard to locate. I have collected our lessons here so others can approach the same challenge with more confidence.
Mitsy’s nursery blog
Mitsy’s Nursery began as a live-blog, using daily entries and photographs to trace her progress from raising her final litter to becoming a socialised indoor cat. For now, she trusts only my husband and me and is still very guarded with guests, though her curiosity occasionally brings her nearer. Teaching her that people are safe continues to take time.
Want to get involved?
You can support a cat rescue without fostering an animal at home. Adoption centres across the province and beyond rely in large part on volunteers.
Hands-on assistance is especially valuable. Volunteers may move cats between sites, take them to veterinary visits, or help with organised Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs. An additional helper can make a major difference during a trapping effort.
Time, talent, and donations all help. Those with building skills can make winter shelters, while others can contribute essentials such as carriers, beds, food, and bowls. Rescue groups and their volunteers are grateful for every form of support.