Paws up for spring market

St. Boniface

Windsor Park

Fluffy tails, loud meows, and naps in cozy kennels.

For 30 years, Rescue Siamese has been a shelter for cats from across the province and, to celebrate the anniversary, it is hosting a spring market at Archwood Community Centre on Sunday, May 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The rescue started in 1996 specifically for Siamese cats — which were in very high demand and overbred at the time — and so the shelter opened hoping to give a home to cats without one. Now, Rescue Siamese, which is currently located at 38 Barberry Rd., helps all the cats it can.

“It’s nice to know that you’re making a difference in a cat’s life,” said Tara Mychalyshyn, co-director of the rescue.

She’s volunteered at the rescue for 11 years and moved into the co-director role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is my passion, I couldn’t imagine my life without it,” Mychalyshyn said. “I just walked in and never left,” she laughed.

She emphasized how important community support is to the shelter.

“We’re 100 per cent volunteer-run,” Mychalyshyn said. “We’re trying to get the community involved.”

This year, students from Windsor Park Collegiate and Collège Beliveau are helping decorate, set up, and run the spring market.

Mychalyshyn estimates there are about 60 volunteers, including people who temporarily and permanently foster cats.

This year, the market will have pizza, cake, and feature 20 local vendors, a bake sale, a selfie station, face painting and, of course, cats.

While you won’t be able to adopt any felines at the market, a few cats will be there, and volunteers will connect you with resources to adopt.

“It’s fun just to celebrate the rescue,” Mychalyshyn said.

If you’d like to get involved Rescue Siamese, send an email to rescue_siamesewpg@hotmail.com. The shelter is always accepting food and litter donations, and baking for bake sales.

“We believe cats are forever, not for now,” Mychalyshyn said. She explained the adoption process, adding that every cat is matched to its forever home based on the cat’s history, personality, preferences, and the environment it would thrive in the best.

If you’re unable to adopt or foster, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a fair share of kitty cuddles. Visit in person or walk by and chances are you’ll see a cat sunbathing in the window, leaping around the room, or chasing a little toy around.

Find out more at rescuesiamese.com