Local residents Alistair Schroff and Valerie Ingram have written and published a book.
The community cat book was written with the assistance of local children. The book inspires and educates students around the world about helping animals in need.
Over 10 Francois Lake Elementary School student’s art is featured in the book.
Grassy Plains students, Vivienne and Catrina, are the two girls who planted the seeds of the project that led to the story...here is their story.
Two girls, Vivienne and Catrina saw some hungry cats shivering in the snow near their home one winter. Instead of ignoring the situation, they took action. They contacted the Lakes Animal Friendship Society (LAFS) to find out ways they could help.
The girls shared what they learned about community cats with their fellow students. They worked with teachers Mrs. Benoit and Ms. Russell and the rest of Grassy Plains School to raise the first $100 toward the spaying and neutering of the community cats. They volunteered to help with feeding the cats and to watch over them.
The colony was typical of many situations. Two stray cats showed up in the neighborhood, and soon there were dozens of cats – far too many for anyone to take care of without help. Over the years many cats died or were killed. The caregivers of this colony loved cats but the problem was out of control.
One hundred dollars was a good start but nowhere near enough to take care of spaying and neutering dozens of cats. Thankfully, a large-scale spay/neuter program was started by the BC SPCA with funding from PetSmartCharities® of Canada and they approved a project for our area.
Dr. Lois Martin and her Burns Lake Veterinary Clinic team helped tremendously, Cheslatta Carrier Nation offered their support and LAFS volunteers would help tackle colonies in the Burns Lake area.
Lakes District Maintenance provided help for a summer student to work with LAFS during part of the project.
Schroff and Ingram will be giving a book to all students Kindergarten through to - Grade 7 these next few weeks in the Burns Lake and area.
Going along to each school is Darci Burtch. She was one of the volunteers from Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) and is a vet tech. LAFS has hire her to help with their critter cause for the next six months.
She’s from Toronto and has driven all the way with her two rescue dogs to come and help LAFS.
Schroff added, “We have printed 2200 copies and covered the costs out of our own pocket as it is something we so strongly believe in. Right now we are focussing on giving away copies to our local elementary students and libraries. We are also offering them for sale, both by hardcopy and soon by Kindle with all proceeds to help animals in northwest B.C. Anyone who is interested can drop Valerie a line, Valerie@lakesanimalfriendship.ca or can buy a copy locally at LD Free Classifieds.