SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - Animals of all shapes and sizes descended upon the County Fair Mall in Summerside on Saturday afternoon, to support a worthy cause.
Keeping Cats Homed is a registered charity on the Island that aims to eliminate the overpopulation of feral and homeless cats by getting them spayed or neutered, as well as vaccinated, before finding the kittens a forever home.
Lori Burnell, the founder and president of the charity, said the adoption initiative saves tiny lives.
“They need us. If we didn’t take care of these kittens, foster and socialize them, they would be left out wherever they were and maybe starve or breed and overpopulate, so what we do is important.”
The charity works in conjunction with Cat Action Team, Spay-Aid and the P.E.I. Humane Society.
Families ready to hop into spring came to participate in the fun activities, as well as get a free photograph taken with the Easter Bunny in exchange for cat food donations.
“We are asking for canned cat food today, just because we are getting into kitty season and that’s when we need it the most, as well as monetary donations such as kitten milk,” said Burnell, who was on site to answer questions and raise awareness of their cause.
The cracking family activities included getting an up-close experience with exotic animals and reptiles from the Bunny Trails Pet Ranch.
“We’re trying to teach kids about the different animals around the world,” said the owner, Tracy Brown. “We have a bearded dragon, box turtles, geckos, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, rats, chinchillas, and of course rabbits because it’s Easter.”
Kai Payne, aged five, from Kinkora, said his favourite creature on display was the bearded dragon, followed closely by the small box turtle.
Easter celebrations continued down the hallway, with old and young cruising on electric animal scooters called Stuffy Riders.
“We’re just having a great time together as a family,” concluded Lindsay Ramsay, while riding down the hallway on a KungFu panda with her son, Thomas.
The canned cat food donations wrapped up at 4 p.m.
