Furry Friends and COVID-19: a message from the Board of Directors

March 28/20 - We hope you and your family are staying safe and keeping healthy during these extraordinary circumstances. 

It has been an unsettling time to say the least. At Furry Friends, the health and safety of our volunteers is a top priority and, following the advice of public health officials, we have closed the shelter to the public and cancelled our adoption cycle at PetSmart. 

But the show goes on. We are so pleased to report that all of the kitties at the shelter continue to receive the best care possible from small but extremely dedicated teams of volunteers, morning and night, seven-days-week. Thank you to every volunteer who has been able to help feed, clean, and provide medications and essential TLC! We also continue to rescue abandoned and injured cats, including some pregnant moms who were able to have their kittens in safe, comfortable foster homes. Thank you to everyone who assists with trapping, rescuing and fostering our precious pussy cats. 

We were so relieved to learn March 25th that animal welfare services like Furry Friends are deemed an essential service and we can continue to provide the care and attention they so desperately need and deserve. We can also continue to rely on businesses that sell pet food and supplies, as well as veterinary services. The shelter is well stocked with food and litter (with more on the way) and our partner veterinarians at Aldergrove and Royal Parkside are available for any emergencies. Thank goodness! 

Though we must be vigilant about keeping our distance it feels good to be “together” in this common goal. Some other recent highlights include a very successful online auction (thanks to our amazing fundraising team and everyone who donated product and bid on items) and we just received $500 from PetSmart Charities Canada for surpassing adoption targets so early in the year. We continue to receive donations in the mail and online and are deeply grateful to our donors for your incredible support. 

We will always focus on the positive and it is such a comfort knowing we can count on you – volunteers, donors, adopters, retail & community partners, vet clinic staff, and all the animal-lovers in our community - to do whatever it takes to keep our kitties safe and sound. You have shown your kindness and compassion time and time again…thank you! 

The COVID-19 situation will likely continue to change rapidly and we will do our best to provide timely updates. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or suggestions you may have: asktheboard@furryfriendsbarrie.com. 

Thanks again and stay safe! 

Ron Wrixon, Janet Kemp, Mark Adams and Nicole Swyers 

(Furry Friends Board of Directors) 

If you want to do more, here’s where we need a little help from our friends: 

• Donate if you can and encourage your friends and family to think about making a gift (we have been delighted to see people asking that donations be sent in lieu of birthday gifts!). You can make an online donation at www.canadahelps.org (simply search "Furry Friends Animal Shelter).

• You can also leave donations of food and cleaning supplies at our front door – we are most desperate right now for wet kitten food! If you’re able to assist in this way, kindly let us know so we can arrange a drop-off time. Charitable tax receipts can be provided for in-kind donations as long as we have your name and address. 

• Foster a cat/kittens this spring. Furry Friends provides all food and covers all veterinary costs. Email us at adopt@furryfriendsbarrie.com with “foster volunteer” in the subject line to get started. 

• Follow-us on Facebook and share your “happy tales”.