After scaling back operations two years ago, Happy Cat Haven in Gibsons is closing its doors for good this Sunday, ending a truly remarkable exercise in human kindness.
The non-profit rescue shelter on School Road has served as a home to almost 7,000 cats over the course of its 30 years and provided relief for cat owners in distress by covering the cost of meds and veterinary services for low-income families.
At the heart of Happy Cat Haven is Violet Winegarden, whose Letter to the Editor announcing the closure appears on the facing page. Now 90, Violet’s efforts in caring for unwanted cats and kittens long predated the Haven’s existence – but by modifying her house and property to fit the needs of her critters in care, and enlisting an army of dedicated volunteers to help in her mission, she created a model of philanthropy that has awed and inspired the community around her.
If any woman on the Sunshine Coast deserves to have bouquets placed on her doorstep, it’s Violet Winegarden.
But please – please – no more kittens.
