FOUNDER OF CATSPAN FERALS REGISTERED CHARITY,
BARBARA MCGOWAN
It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that our cofounder and President, Barbara McGowan, has lost her battle with cancer. She was an incredible woman, and a true "cat angel", rescuing and improving the lives of so many cats and kittens.
Barbara moved to Nanoose Bay in 1989 and noticed a lot of little cats on the rocks at the beach at Schooner Cove. She did not know much about feral cats at the time, but noticed that, apart from a few fish scraps from fisherman, no one seemed to be feeding them. She started going down to feed them every day and at the height of it she counted 44 cats/kittens there. She eventually bumped into a few others who were feeding them and they sorted out a schedule. She met Dr. Hanna from Lighthouse Vet Clinic and she was kind enough to come down at take a look at the situation. They started with medication to treat their eyes as many had infections. They held garage sales to raise money, as they had to pay for spays and neuters out of their own pockets. After a couple of years, there came a really cold winter and they got permission for the Marina to build some shelters for the cats on the beach and then eventually moved them to "kitty village" on Outrigger Road, which consisted of little houses and covered feeding stations. By then, they had recruited a few more volunteers, and feeding became easier, but money was still short. From the beginning, she had called the group CATSPAN for Cat Spay and Neuter. In 2004, the group became a registered charity with CRA and it just grew from there. With a growing volunteer base it has expanded and flourished and has become the great organization we know today. Learn more about Barbara McGowan and her legacy here.
Barbara moved to Nanoose Bay in 1989 and noticed a lot of little cats on the rocks at the beach at Schooner Cove. She did not know much about feral cats at the time, but noticed that, apart from a few fish scraps from fisherman, no one seemed to be feeding them. She started going down to feed them every day and at the height of it she counted 44 cats/kittens there. She eventually bumped into a few others who were feeding them and they sorted out a schedule. She met Dr. Hanna from Lighthouse Vet Clinic and she was kind enough to come down at take a look at the situation. They started with medication to treat their eyes as many had infections. They held garage sales to raise money, as they had to pay for spays and neuters out of their own pockets. After a couple of years, there came a really cold winter and they got permission for the Marina to build some shelters for the cats on the beach and then eventually moved them to "kitty village" on Outrigger Road, which consisted of little houses and covered feeding stations. By then, they had recruited a few more volunteers, and feeding became easier, but money was still short. From the beginning, she had called the group CATSPAN for Cat Spay and Neuter. In 2004, the group became a registered charity with CRA and it just grew from there. With a growing volunteer base it has expanded and flourished and has become the great organization we know today. Learn more about Barbara McGowan and her legacy here.
Important message to CatSpan ferals supporters
Dear Supporter,
Thank you, first and foremost for the support you have given CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity (formally Nanoose Bay CatSpan) over the past 28 years. We feel it is important to let you know how much we appreciate your support.
Secondly, you should know there has been a recent and unfortunate split within CatSpan involving a few members. It is important to note that the "splinter group", now operating under the name "Nanoose Bay CatSpan Society", is in no way affiliated with us.
We are currently operating under the name CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity to ensure the two groups are not mistaken for each other. We have also made every effort to keep our donor list confidential; however, as the splinter group are former volunteers, they may have a copy of our list from previous fundraising initiatives.
We, the original CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity, plan to carry on with our mandate to help feral cats. You may continue to donate by cheque (our mailing address remains the same.)
We sincerely hope you will continue your kind support of us, the CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Thank you,
Heather Henderson - Secretary
Kathy Robinson - Treasurer
Julie Rengers - Director
Angela Marafon - Director
Thea Hing - Director
Rachelle Meeds - Director
Thank you, first and foremost for the support you have given CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity (formally Nanoose Bay CatSpan) over the past 28 years. We feel it is important to let you know how much we appreciate your support.
Secondly, you should know there has been a recent and unfortunate split within CatSpan involving a few members. It is important to note that the "splinter group", now operating under the name "Nanoose Bay CatSpan Society", is in no way affiliated with us.
We are currently operating under the name CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity to ensure the two groups are not mistaken for each other. We have also made every effort to keep our donor list confidential; however, as the splinter group are former volunteers, they may have a copy of our list from previous fundraising initiatives.
We, the original CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity, plan to carry on with our mandate to help feral cats. You may continue to donate by cheque (our mailing address remains the same.)
We sincerely hope you will continue your kind support of us, the CatSpan Ferals Registered Charity.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Thank you,
Heather Henderson - Secretary
Kathy Robinson - Treasurer
Julie Rengers - Director
Angela Marafon - Director
Thea Hing - Director
Rachelle Meeds - Director
PLEASE NOTE: Nanoose Bay CatSpan Society is NOT affiliated with us.
We apologize for any confusion they may cause.
We apologize for any confusion they may cause.
Success Stories!
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Tina Has a New Home!
CatSpan was asked to trap a cat (Tina) at a campsite by Englishman River Falls. The owner had recently deceased and the neighbour was feeding her. The deceased owner’s daughter was flying in from Fort McMurray to take Tina home with her, so we set traps a few days before her arrival, but Tina refused to go in. Finally, on the day before her flight back home, the neighbour managed to get her in a trap. Tina was checked over by a veterinarian and she flew out to her new home on May12th. Amazing how well Tina has settled in! MORE SUCCESS STORIES! >> |
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Catspan ferals in the community
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Thank you Samara!
Thank you to Samara for making and selling earrings and magnets with proceeds going to CatSpan Ferals! Pictured is Samara and CatSpan Ferals volunteer Kathy receiving the $120! Samara's goal this year was to donate more proceeds than her similar campaign last year which raised $110. Way to go, Samara! CatSpan Ferals thanks you for your generosity. |
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Thank you Bosley's North Nanaimo!
In November, we presented the gals at Bosley's North Nanaimo with a certificate of appreciation for all the hard work they do to support us. They work tirelessly to collect cat food and cash donations, hold bake sales for us, invite us to the store to set up our display, help to get our cats adopted...the list goes on and on. Many, many thanks to the staff at Bosley's North Nanaimo!
Since then, they also held a food drive for us. As a result, we packed away another 28 kg of wet food and 96 kg of dry!! Our storage unit is looking very happy right now. MORE >>
In November, we presented the gals at Bosley's North Nanaimo with a certificate of appreciation for all the hard work they do to support us. They work tirelessly to collect cat food and cash donations, hold bake sales for us, invite us to the store to set up our display, help to get our cats adopted...the list goes on and on. Many, many thanks to the staff at Bosley's North Nanaimo!
Since then, they also held a food drive for us. As a result, we packed away another 28 kg of wet food and 96 kg of dry!! Our storage unit is looking very happy right now. MORE >>
Thank you Petmania!
Thank you to Carol and her staff at Petmania Parksville for their generous support! Petmania is also a CatSpan Ferals drop-off place for donated books and garage sale items.
Thank you to Carol and her staff at Petmania Parksville for their generous support! Petmania is also a CatSpan Ferals drop-off place for donated books and garage sale items.
Thank you Dr. Hanna!
Recently, Directors of CatSpan Registered Charity treated Dr. Hanna from Lighthouse Veterinary Hospital to lunch. We met at the Sandbar Café near the clinic. Dr Hanna was presented with a framed Certificate of Appreciation. On behalf of CatSpan Ferals, Hanna and her staff were thanked for their compassion, empathy, and contribution to the welfare of animals in the Oceanside area. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure doing business with Hanna and her wonderful staff at Lighthouse Veterinary Hospital.
MORE CATSPAN IN THE COMMUNITY >>
Recently, Directors of CatSpan Registered Charity treated Dr. Hanna from Lighthouse Veterinary Hospital to lunch. We met at the Sandbar Café near the clinic. Dr Hanna was presented with a framed Certificate of Appreciation. On behalf of CatSpan Ferals, Hanna and her staff were thanked for their compassion, empathy, and contribution to the welfare of animals in the Oceanside area. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure doing business with Hanna and her wonderful staff at Lighthouse Veterinary Hospital.
MORE CATSPAN IN THE COMMUNITY >>
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