A cat welfare organization is preparing for a new year of fundraising events to help kittens it rescues across Prince Edward Island.

            

            Lori Burnell, the president of Keeping Cats Homed, runs the charity from her home in Summerside, P.E.I. It is dedicated to caring for and fostering kittens and young cats.

            

            Expenses for the care she provides increased last year when her veterinary bills tripled from $16,000 to $48,000.

            

            She said fundraising efforts are necessary but difficult, with the need for more volunteers and expenses continuing to rise.

            

            “It's a huge worry to me about how the program is going to continue, knowing how everything has gone up substantially.”

            

            Burnell has several fundraisers planned for 2025 to support her organization’s efforts.

            

            A houseplant sale will take place at the Wilmot Community Centre in Summerside, P.E.I. on Jan. 26.

            

            The same venue will also host a concert fundraiser with a bake sale in May.

            

            She also looks forward to the organization’s annual online silent auction in the fall.

            

            The president hopes to raise $50,000 this year.

            

            “Just based on last year (with) the vet cost, I would hope that would be enough to run the program for the year.”

            

            However, Burnell’s participation in this year’s fundraisers will be limited.

            

            Last fall, she suffered a head injury. She is off work until June to recover.

            

            She said she was able to secure enough volunteers to manage last year’s auction but wants more to help this year.

            

            “I’m hoping (this) year going into it, we’ll have more volunteers and make the work lighter for everyone.”

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

            

           

 

 

 

 

            Fortunately, Burnell has help available.

            

            Susan Turner, the vice-chair of the Cat Action Team (C.A.T.), is co-operating with Keeping Cats Homed for the concert fundraiser. The proceeds will be split between the two companies.

            

            Both have a history of helping each other.

            

            C.A.T. has delivered kittens to Keeping Cats Homed they find while trapping, neutering and releasing feral cats.

            

            In return, C.A.T. raises awareness of Keeping Cats Homed and their activities through social media.

            

            “If (Burnell) needed something, she'd reach out to me or anyone on the board…(and) we'd be there to help her,” Turner said.

            

            C.A.T. has also experienced challenges with fundraising.

            

            Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Turner has seen less places available to host fundraising events. She has also seen less people paying with cash.

            

            This has led to some events being hosted entirely online.

            

            The vice-chair said while the two organizations are well-known across the province, it is important to adapt to their circumstances.

            

            “You just have to (determine) how we're going to work around that and make some money. There's always challenges that way.”

            

            For Burnell, fundraising is hard work, but it also comes with rewards.

            

            She enjoys meeting with volunteers and planning events together.

            

            She also appreciates how others support Keeping Cats Homed during fundraising events.

            

            Some donate items for auctions to her doorstep, while others thank her for her work with photos of kittens they adopted from her.

            

            “To have someone compliment you on what you’ve done is so rewarding. That’s something I really love about fundraising.”

            

            Other companies have helped Keeping Cats Homed outside of their fundraisers.

            

            Global Pet Foods will promote adoption awareness campaigns of Burnell’s kittens.

            

            Pet Valu’s stores in Charlottetown and Summerside have donated large amounts of canned food and litter.

            

            “That's helpful because then we don't have to fundraise for that. That's donated by all their customers, and we don't have to buy that food,” she said.

            

            As the cost of care continues to increase, the president is unsure about the future of Keeping Cats Homed.

            

            But Burnell is determined to do everything she can to continue protecting the Island’s kittens.

            

            “We do the best we can, and we hope that the people that love our program and want to help will continue to support us.”