Rally promotes animal rights and encourages stronger penalties for abuse

Pet owners gathered in a city park over the weekend to remember the cats dumped under a nearby bridge and raise awareness about their alleged killer’s upcoming trial.

For Rejeana McIvor, showing up to Lake Ridge Park on Saturday afternoon was an attempt to get “some type of closure.”

McIvor, 30, is preparing to testify against the stranger she said responded to a Kijiji ad to rehome her two cats in December 2024.

“I thought I was making a good decision. I wanted them to go to a good home, a loving home,” she said as she recalled putting Nami and Nero up for adoption, along with detailed information about their individual personalities.

Randy Jensen has been charged with three counts of killing or injuring an animal. His next court date is scheduled for June 11.

Police allege Jensen, who was 24 when he was arrested in January 2025, lured and acquired cats via social media to torture them before discarding their remains.

Nami, a black cat with a white patch on her chin, is one of his alleged victims. Nero, a white-furred feline, is believed to be missing, McIvor said.

The 30-year-old choked back tears at an animal rights rally in a quiet residential neighbourhood in Winnipeg on Saturday.

Project Artemis Animal Advocates Winnipeg, a grassroots group, organized the afternoon event.

It drew about 50 people, as well as a handful of leashed cats and dogs, to a green space near Summit Road bridge, near CentrePoint Canada Way.

Authorities confirmed three cat killings after residents in the area found dead animals under the bridge.

On Saturday attendees shouted the accused’s name and displayed posters bearing it and phrases including, “No excuse for animal abuse,” and “All cats matter.”

Co-organizer Kristy Zamonsky said she’s been bombarded with messages about allegations there are more victims.

Zamonsky mobilized animal lovers to protest animal cruelty outside the Law Courts throughout a high-profile case involving a Winnipeg couple.

Irene Lima and Chad Kabecz were recently sentenced to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing dozens of cats and other small animals online for a paying audience.

Zamonsky started her advocacy group to provide comfort to people affected by that case and call for stricter animal rights laws.

“You can’t sleep at night when you think about these poor animals. They’re innocent,” said Crystal Lavallee, an active member of the group.

A self-described animal lover, she currently has four cats, two dogs and multiple foster pets.

Lavallee said she hopes Saturday’s rally renews concerns about animal abuse and sparks political will to introduce tougher penalties for offenders.

Debbie Wall said Saturday that she’s considering running for city council in the fall to make animal rights a election issue.

Winnipeg is in desperate need of a low-cost, high-volume spay and neuter clinic, Wall said.

McIvor took Nami to the Winnipeg Humane Society for the procedure when the kitten was in her care. At the same time, Nami was tattooed and registered as her pet.

That’s why McIvor said she was alerted about the death and later, how authorities identified a suspect.

On Saturday, she wore a sweater embroidered with a design of two cuddling cats in the likeness of Nami and Nero. McIvor said she only gave them up because of her concerns they weren’t getting the care they needed due to her frequent travel and a roommate’s allergies.

Since learning about the allegations against Jensen, she said she’s suffered severe depression and frequent panic attacks. McIvor said she’s also learned the importance of thoroughly vetting someone during the rehousing process and hopes this tragedy will encourage others to be extra cautious.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca