Bake Sale, Film Screening about the old Dollar Cinema and Raffle highlight cats committee upcoming activities

By Mike Cohen

City Councillor

Almost from the day I was first elected to Côte Saint-Luc city council 21 years ago, I have been a strong advocate for the homeless community cat population in our midst. Early on in my mandate, volunteers began stepping up to aid the cause, first Shelley Schecter then Diane Liebling to lead the troops.

The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee  focuses its activities on Trap, Neuter, Release, Return and Adopt. We provide food for homeowners who feed outdoor feral cats who depend upon them to survive. Diane and her team crawl under balconies to rescue newborn kittens.  . We bring them to the local vet, cover the medical fees and get them adopted. In between, some committee members foster these felines. It is a lot of work. Older cats are sterilized. If they are socialized, we can find homes for them ; if not they are placed back in the area of town where we found them.

While the committee gets a modest budget from the city, we fundraise for the bulk of our finances and you can help.

Here are some upcoming activities

Bake Sale

On Saturday, October 24, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm, we will hold a bake sale at City Hall in connection with the library  used book sale.

Special Screening of His Last Dollar at CineStarz Deluxe Cavendish

We have a special treat for anyone who frequented the former Dollar Cinema at Decarie Square. On Sunday, October 25 (10 am) we will present a special screening of the fabulous new documentary His Last Dollar at CineStarz Deluxe Cavendish. It will be first come, first serve to watch the remarkable documentary about Bernie Gurberg, who ran the repertory theatre for 18 years until 2022. Bernie will also be on hand  along with producer Malcolm St. Pierre to do a Q & A after the film.  Admission is a minimum $5 donation to our committee. Popcorn will be sold for a dollar. His Last Dollar is the portrait of a Montreal original which is gone but not forgotten, and of the flawed but good-hearted man who made it something magical for thousands of moviegoers over two decades

 Annual Raffle 

t’s time for our annual autumn raffle. This has been an extremely challenging season, perhaps the hardest one yet and, we hope we can count on your participation.

There are some great prizes this year and we are hoping you’ll support us by purchasing a ticket… or two, or more!!

Ticket prices are:

1 for $15

2 for $25

5 for $50

Tickets may be purchased in one of two ways:

1. E-transfer(PREFERRED) to:

          CSLcatraffle@gmail.com

PLEASE make sure to put in the message line:

-your email address

-phone number

-the NUMBER of tickets you are purchasing.

Our CFO, Randi Kader, will email you the number(s) of your tickets.

 If you would like to pay by cash or cheque, you may contact Diane Liebling, either by messenger or on her cell, 514-236-2099 and the purchase of tickets can be arranged.

We will be selling tickets through the first week of December with the draw taking place soon after.

There are four grand prizes to be won (so far) and in order to be eligible for a grand prize five or more tickets must be purchased.

They are so far:

•  A gorgeous handcrafted quilt, by Montreal’s own Moishe Campbell.  Suitable for anywhere in  our home. (60’ x76’ reversible.)
• Two tickets to a Montreal Canadiens game in late December valued at $600, courtesy of community leader and lawyer Michael Hollander
•   A vast array of kitchen and dining essentials to grace your kitchen and entertaining needs.
•   A two night stay at the Embassy Suites in Old Montreal (the Presidential Suite!).

This package includes:

- parking

- A ~made to order~ full breakfast for two people, and a welcome reception (for 2).

(some restrictions apply)

There are several other prizes including, but not limited to:

Delightful wine baskets with added goodies: candies, nuts, serving dishes for entertainment, etc.

Our thanks to Ian Macdonald, manager of Pharmaprix, Quartier Cavendish for his yearly unwavering commitment to our cause.

Also:

• A $100 gift code to wildly popular  hamburger  and fries spot, Patty Slaps, with locations at Royalmount and downtown St. Catherine Street, near Guy.
• A $50 gift certificate to La Diperie on Monkland.
• Two tickets to a Laval Rocket hockey game,  valued at $150, courtesy of The Suburban Newspaper.
• A gift basket for boys and girls, including essential and non-essential fun items such as two Phillips sonicare toothbrushes, one for a boy and one for a girl.
• Gift certificates, courtesy of Westminster florist in Montreal West. Thank you, Alex!
• One gift certificate good for one weekend, Saturday and Sunday: one visit each day for your beloved feline while you’re away.
• (upon availability). courtesy of ‘Chat va Bien’.
• A lovely selection of frozen vegetarian foods, manufactured right here in Montreal, courtesy of VG vegetarian food Inc.
• $100 gift certificate from Patty Slaps Burgers and Fries. Royalmount and downtown locations. Vegetarian options available.
• A gift certificate for one complementary massage courtesy of ‘Bodyworks Yoga and Wellness Center’. Thank you Elyse Tannenbaum.

We have many, many other raffle prizes, which we will add here as they are confirmed.

 

Every rescue is trying to raise much-needed funds, and they are all worthwhile causes.

Diane Liebling,  Malka Labow, Ronnie Roter and Randi Kader for their excellent work.

Support the CSL Cats Committee Raffle

It’s time for the annual autumn 🍁 raffle in support of the Côte Saint- Luc Cats Committee and TNRM (trap, neuter, return, maintain,) program.

Aside from looking after outdoor community cats, we also care for stray and abandoned cats and get them adopted.

This has been an extremely challenging season and we hope we can count on your participation.

There are some great prizes this year and we are hoping you will support us by purchasing a ticket… or two, or more!

Ticket prices are:

1 for $15

2 for $25

5 for $50

Tickets may be purchased in one of two ways:

1. E-transfer (PREFERRED) to:

CSLcatraffle@gmail.com

PLEASE make sure to put in the message line:

-your email address.

-phone number.

-the NUMBER of tickets that you are purchasing.

Our CFO, Randi Kader, will email you the number(s) of your tickets.

2. If you would like to pay by cash or cheque, you may contact Diane Liebling, either by messenger or on her cell, 514-236-2099, and the purchase of tickets can be arranged.

We will be selling tickets through the first week of December with the draw taking place soon after.

There are two grand prizes to be won and in order to be eligible for a grand prize, five or more tickets must be purchased.

THE TWO GRAND PRIZES ARE:

1. A two night stay at the Embassy Suites in Old Montreal (the Presidential Suite!)

This package includes parking,

a ~ made to order~ full breakfast for two people, and a welcome reception (for 2).

(Some restrictions apply.)

2. A gorgeous handcrafted, animal themed quilt, by Montreal’s own Moishe Campbell, suitable for a crib, wall hanging, or anywhere in your home to add a touch of whimsy.

🐱❤️🐾🐱❤️🐾🐱❤️🐾🐱❤️🐾🐱❤️🐾🐱

There are several other prizes including, but not limited to:

Delightful wine baskets with added goodies: candies, nuts, serving dishes for entertainment, etc.

Our thanks to Ian MacDonald, manager of Pharmaprix, Quartier Cavendish, for his unwavering commitment to our cause.

Also:

A gorgeous sterling silver, rhodium plated ‘moon kitty’ pendant with blue topaz heart courtesy of

Klinik Bijoux.

Thank you, Stephanie.

Gift certificates courtesy of Westminster Florist in Montreal West.

Thank you, Alex.

A lovely selection of frozen vegetarian foods, manufactured right here in Montreal, courtesy of VG Vegetarian Foods inc.

A personalized, Instagram video to help you ‘get out the word’ and promote your business.

Thank you, Arielle Wizman, Content Creator social media agency owner of Content House MTL.

A wonderful donation of several charming and eclectic items from my great foster, Dafna, courtesy of her Etsy shop, based right here in Montreal.

http://seaheartshop.etsy.com

Pictures below.

🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

We have many other raffle prizes, including:

-boho chic jewellery by ‘Stella and Dot’, (thank you Sheri Leibovitch)

-Bakery certificates (Patisserie Lasalle)

-A hairdressing gift certificate (Juju Chez Vous, $100). 

- Homer’s donuts gift certificates. 

-Gift certificates from Village Grec Souvlaki on Jean Talon West

- Alexandra Esthetique, of Montreal West $100 gift certificate.

Every rescue is trying to raise much needed funds and they are all worthwhile causes.

Please include us in your donation choices this year as we try to better the lives of the most vulnerable among us.

With warmest thanks,

Malka Labow, raffle chair

Diane Liebling, co-chair

Ronnie Roter, co-chair

Randi Kader, CFO

The CSL Cats Committees thanks Rolf C. Hagen for generous donation of cat food

The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee wishes to extend our deepest thanks to West Island-based  Rolf C. Hagen Inc. for its generous donation of cat food .

Some of the many bags of food donated.

Caring for pets since 1955, the family company founded by Rolf C. Hagen, has grown to become the world's largest privately-owned, multi-national pet products manufacturer and distributor. Driven by a common bond of love and compassion for animals, we are dedicated to creating practical and innovative products that enhance the health and welfare of pets worldwide.

Last month Côte Saint-Luc City Councillor Mike Cohen, responsible for Animal Protection, met Rolf Hagen Jr. who generously agreed to donate nearly expired cat food (less than six months)  to the CSL Cats Committee. The products are being used to feed the many outdoor cats in the community, notes CSL Cats Committee Chair Diane Liebling,

“We are all thrilled to be able to help with your feline food drive and provide your program with the support it needs,” said Rolf Hagen Jr. “We are working on a robust corporate social responsibility program."

Unloading the boxes.

The CSL Cats Committee has received a large assortment of food at a retail value of over $12,000.

“We are extremely grateful to Rolf C. Hagen Inc. for this most generous donation,” said Liebling. “Among our volunteers are those that feed outdoor cats that are not socialized, but know to come to their door for food. We generally have to dig into our nominal budget to cover these costs, so the donation will make a significantly positive impact on our operations.”

Montreal Gazette Feature Story June 13, 2024 and CTV News

See our Montreal Gazette story on June 13, 2024 by clicking here

 Watch the CTV Story

How will the Côte-St-Luc Cats Committee survive without more funding?

Cats are abandoned for many reasons, including the refusal of many landlords to accept pets. Now, a program that helps “community cats” is in jeopardy.

Author of the article:

Susan Schwartz  •  Montreal Gazette

Published Jun 13, 2024  •  Last updated 2 hours ago  •  7 minute read

Join the conversation

Diane Liebling and 12-year-old Emerson, who joined the family when he was about a year old. Liebling is the heart and soul of a program that traps, neuters, returns and maintains community cats in Côte-St-Luc. PHOTO BY JOHN MAHONEY /Montreal Gazette

Article content

Doc, as Diane Liebling named him — because she names every cat she traps or finds or otherwise helps as chair of the Côte-St-Luc Cats Committee — was found by a resident who then contacted Liebling. Doc was a purebred Scottish Fold, about 16 years old, and he’d likely been abandoned.

as a no-kill animal

Contact Diane Liebling at 514-236-2099 or dianeliebling@gmail.com. Donations to the Côte-St-Luc Cats Committee can be sent via e-transfer to CSLcats@cotesaintluc.org.

sschwartz@postmedia.com

CSL Cats Committee launches 2023 fundraising raffle campaign; bake sale planned

The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC) has launched its annual fundraising raffle.

Funds raised will go towards the CSLCC’s Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program. There are many feral cats in the community. The CSLCC’s team of volunteers sets out to trap as many as possible, have them sterilized and then adopted or returned to the spot where they were originally found.  In the latter case, efforts are made to assist the feeders in the community. The committee has also rescued a many  kittens and found homes for them.  

The grand prize.

There are some terrific prizes up for grabs. Tickets cost $15 for one; $25 for two ; and $50 for five.  Two grand prizes are in the mix. First there is a  two night stay at the Embassy Suites in Old Montreal (The Presidential Suite!). This package includes parking, a  made to order  full breakfast for two people and a welcome reception (for two). It is valued at more than $1,500. Some restrictions  may apply. Second is a gorgeous handcrafted, cat themed quilt by Montréal’s own Moishe Campbell. This is absolutely priceless. In order to be eligible for these two prizes, five or more tickets must be purchased.

 Among the other prizes are   delightful wine baskets with added goodies, wine and charcuterie board combinations and a gorgeous sterling silver, Rhodium plated "Moon Kitty" pendant with blue topaz heart, courtesy of Klinik Bijoux.

You can support the work of the committee by purchasing your tickets in one of two ways.

E transfer (preferred) to CSLcatraffle@gmail.com. Please make sure to put in the messsage line your name,  email address,  phone number, home address and the number  of tickets that you are purchasing. CFO Randi Kader  will email you the number(s) of your tickets.

If you would like to pay by cash or cheque, please contact   Diane Liebling, either by messenger or phone (514-236-2099). She   will make every effort to deliver the tickets to you or you can pick then up.

Ticket sales will continue  through November with the draw taking place  on December 1, 2023.

“This has been a very challenging year and we are counting on your continued support,” said Committee Chair Diane Liebling. Every rescue is trying to raise much needed funds and they are all worthwhile causes. Please include us in your donation choices as we try to better the lives of the most vulnerable among us.”

Liebling and Kader are joined by Malka Labow and Ronnie Roter  on the organizing committee.

Meanwhile, the committee will also organize a bake sale on Saturday, October 21 (Noon to 4 pm) at the Côte Saint-Luc City Hall Harold Greenspon Auditorium (5801 Cavendish) during the Used Book Sale.

A beautiful story about the world's oldest cat

Guinness World Records, the global authority on record breaking, announces today, in conjunction with Cats Protection, that Flossie from London is the world’s oldest cat at 26 years and 316 days old as of November 10, 2022.

Does this tortie look 26?

Flossie was given a new lease in life when the UK’s leading cat rescue shelter matched her to a loving new home after she came into their care. What her new owner couldn’t have known was that she was giving sanctuary to a record breaker.

It’s a heartwarming final chapter to the story of a cat that had previously remained in the same extended family since being homed as a young stray in 1995. Flossie had been living in a colony of cats near a hospital, when two workers took pity on them, and each homed a cat.

They lived together for 10 years until the owner died and Flossie was taken in by her sister, who had her for 14 more happy years, until she too passed away. Flossie then lived with the woman’s son, until his situation led him to make the difficult decision to relinquish the family cat to volunteers at Cats Protection, who found her a new home with Vicki Green.

Vicki, who had experience of caring for senior felines, said Flossie is an “amazing cat”, who has settled in well, and now sleeps “snuggled on the bed” with her.

Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief at Guinness World Records said: "We were so excited to hear about the lovely Flossie and celebrate her long life - it’s not every day you come across a cat who has been around since the mid-nineties. This is the human equivalent of over 120 years old, which would put her on par with Jeanne Calment, the French supercentenarian who lived to 122 years 164 days and holds the record for the oldest person ever. We're happy to see Flossie settled and enjoying all the home comforts she deserves in her later life. A huge congratulations to Flossie, a highly deserving record-breaker."

Vicki said: “I knew from the start that Flossie was a special cat, but I didn’t imagine I’d share my home with a Guinness World Records title holder. She’s so affectionate and playful, especially sweet when you remember how old she is.

“She’s deaf and with failing eyesight but none of that seems to bother her. She’s completely with it, loves affection and has a very good appetite. She never turns her nose up at the chance of a good meal, except when she’s s snuggled on her favourite yellow blanket.”

Cats Protection Branch Co-ordinator Naomi Rosling said: “We were flabbergasted when vet records showed Flossie to be nearly 27 years old. She’s the oldest cat I've ever met; at least 120 in human years. If I’m in such good shape when I'm her age, with someone who does what’s best for me when I need it most, I shall be a very happy lady.”

The previous oldest cat living was Corduroy who was 26 years 300 days old.

Tickets for the CSL Cats Committee's fantastic raffle are available until the draw in December

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC) had to cancel its annual benefit concert for the second year in a row. In its place once again is a virtual presentation to formally promote our raffle.

The committee assists homeless cats like this one.

The virtual show  took place on Saturday, October 9, featuring celebrated composer, pianist and singer Edwin Orion Brownell.   Edwin has gained notice since the start of the pandemic for his Facebook live concerts for various causes.

You can view the concert here.

Edwin Orion Brownell

Côte Saint-Luc City Councillor Mike Cohen, responsible for Animal Protection, wishes to thank D'Arcy McGee Liberal MNA David Birnbaum who has helped kick start the committee's fundraising campaign with a generous contribution.

Funds raised will go towards the CSLCC’s Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program. There are many feral cats in the community. The CSLCC’s team of volunteers sets out to trap as many as possible, have them sterilized and then adopted or returned to the spot where they were originally found.  In the latter case, efforts are made to assist the feeders of outdoor cats in the community. The committee has also rescued a number of kittens and found homes for them.   

Here is a message from our Raffle Committee

Due to the phenomenal success of our 2020 online raffle, we are pleased to announce that our 2021 raffle tickets are now available for purchase.

If you thought last year's prizes were great, this year's are even better including a stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Old Montreal, a designer blanket by Moishe Campbell, a stunning painting by Katherine  Meritakis, appliances and more. We will once again be featuring themed gift baskets and stand-alone prizes such as  movie tickets, restaurants gift certificates. The latter includes Foodtastic, thumbrella for the following restaurants:  La Belle et La Boeuf, Carlos & Pepes, Souvlaki Bar, Nickels Deli, Bacaro Pizzeria, Monza, Au Coq , La Chambre, Gatto Matto, Chocolato, L’Gros Luxe, LooKoo, Tommy Café and Big Rig

 In addition, we will be adding several more grand prizes to this year’s list. The more tickets you purchase, the more chances you have of winning. 

The Raffle drawing will take place in December 2021

Single tickets: $15

Purchase of two or more tickets at $10  a ticket (each ticket will be entered into the grand prize draw)

Etransfer to: CSLcatraffle@gmail.com (no security question required).

 In the message, please indicate # of tickets, your name, home address, email address and phone number. A confirmation of purchase and ticket numbers will be sent to you by return email. Questions pertaining to the raffle can be addressed to the above email address.

For cash and cheque purchases, please contact Diane Liebling at 514-236-2099

Thanks once again for your support:

Committee Members:

Malka Labow (Chair)

Diane Liebling (Cats Committee Chair)

Randi Kader

Ronnie Roter