It isn’t often that enjoying a pasta dinner helps our four-legged friends, but thanks to Innisfil Pride, the Pasta Dinner Fundraiser at the Grange Hall on Saturday (April 29) will assist the volunteer-run, non-profit L&F TNR Feral Cats.
Located in Lefroy at 931 Church Dr., community members are invited to tuck in for $18 per person, ages 12 and up, and $10 per person for ages five to 11 (children under five eat for free), from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Penne or spaghetti with tomato or cream sauce, garlic bread and dessert, as well as coffee, tea or water, will be served to hungry guests courtesy of Davidson’s Country Dining.
“Community consists of more than the two-legged kind,” said Innisfil Pride treasurer Carol Griffith. “There is support for dogs, foxes, birds, and other forms of wildlife from other advocates. If not for L&F TNR Feral Cats, there would be no support, especially at the municipal level. Innisfil Pride supports those who support others, and that includes those who struggle and reach out publicly to support our furry friends.”
Griffith explained that although there are often budgets and bylaws to control canines in municipalities, it is not uncommon for feral cat colonies to roam the streets.
“L&F TNR Feral Cats is vocal on social media, including their reach-out to the Town of Innisfil for support. Saying there is no bylaw for cats does not support nor fix the problem. So Innisfil Pride will help where we can, as community and support involves all forms of life,” Griffith said.
Cat-lovers and caring individuals like Betty Buffone from L&F TNR (which stands for trap, neuter and release) Feral Cats scramble to provide an ever-growing feral feline population with basic needs, such as veterinary care.
“Everyone in (the) community needs to spay/neuter their cats and micro-chip them. If their cats go missing and are found, the micro-chip is (a) fast way to contact (the) owner,” Buffone said.
She explained that lost cats that are not spayed or neutered quickly begin feral colonies, which leads to more problems for people like Buffone, who encounter major problems when permission to trap feral felines is not granted by residents.
Once feral felines are humanely trapped, Buffone and volunteers of L&F TNR Feral Cats work with local veterinarians to neuter or spay the animal. If the cat is under one year old or can be socialized, they are rehabilitated and put up for adoption.
Buffone is currently caring for four felines — only one of which consented to be photographed. She has helped hundreds of cats since she started rescuing feral felines in 2013.
Griffith told InnisfilToday that Buffone has a four-inch binder in which she keeps photos of all of the cats she has rescued over the years.
Buffone explained that a male tabby in her care, named Stealth, could not be returned to where he was caught.
“He had his teeth removed and is diabetic, and now he is on insulin,": she said, "so his care for diabetic food and insulin, (and) frequent vet checks is costly.”
Instead of euthanizing him, she chose to care for him.
“Since he started insulin last week, he has been purring and (he is) so friendly now,” she added.
Community members are invited to donate cat food and kitty litter to L&F TNR Feral Cats when they come for dinner on Saturday. Bottle-drive donations are also appreciated.
Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) and advance tickets to this Saturday’s Pasta Dinner Fundraiser can be purchased by calling Griffith at 705-627-3795.
