Editor:
We have been volunteering at Happy Cat Haven for a few years and yesterday broke our hearts again at the cruelty of some people. We received a call from Violet asking us to transport a cat to the vet in Sechelt. We are attempting to contain our rage as we write this letter. This kitten is approximately seven months old and has been terribly abused. Happy Cat Haven has named her Reenie. Some of Reenie’s injuries include a blow to the top of the head with a hammer-like instrument, small knife cuts all over her little body and her whiskers have been removed. Some injuries are too horrific to describe. The removal of a cat’s whiskers is so cruel as it causes them to become disoriented and quite frightened. Although this little cat is in pain, when Bill picked her up she nestled into his chest and purred. We are so amazed that she still trusts people at all.
The communities of the Sunshine Coast are so fortunate to have Happy Cat Haven, which is where Reenie will recover with the help of some pain medication and lots of love. Then, with luck, Violet will find her a new home, sometime in the future. All this care is covered under the outreach program at the Haven, but bills add up quickly and some of our regular fundraising has been lost this year, but we won’t turn away any cat in need. I can say only good things about Happy Cat Haven and Violet Winegarden, who is a legend in her own time.
Bill and Sandra Hughes, Gibsons
