Precious kittens rescued from a country road; homes found for all of them

Ben and Ann Fagan have been colleagues of mine at the English Montreal School Board. Ben is the principal of the High School of Montreal Adult Education Centre in the Plateau while Ann, a librarian, recently retired as the head of the EMSB Book Processing Centre at the former Wagar High School in Côte Saint-Luc.

Over Labour Day Weekend, the Fagans were  in the Laurentians on a little back road when they found seven very young kittens in the middle of the street.  "They seemed to be abandoned because there were no houses around at all," Ann says. "We rounded them up and brought them home. What else could we do?"

I went to visit the kittens. They no more than a few months old. How someone could just toss them away like yesterday's trash is hard to imagine. They were beyond adorable, sociable and busy using the litter boxes the Fagans put out. Ann set out to find find homes for them. 

The CSL Cats Committee arranged for Ann to take them to the Côte Saint-Luc Hospital for Animals to be examined. Because two had already been adopted, Ann showed up with five. Dr. Kent spent two hours with the little critters, de-worming them and providing vaccinations. Soon after, two more were adopted.

Ann did a magnificent job and within the week she did indeed find homes for all seven of them.

Bravo! Now how do we sign her up for our committee?

Male Tabby: Adopted

Female:Adopted

Male: Adopted

Adopted

Adopted

Adopted

Adopted

 

Ben et Tournesol Sale

Many thanks to Ben et Tournesol on Sherbrooke Street West in N.D.G. for giving space to Educhat and the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee  to sell donated new merchandise.  All proceeds went to the Trap Neuter Release and Adopt Programs  for homeless cats.

 

CSL Cats Committee enjoys successful benefit concert

 By Councillor Mike Cohen

City Liaison  to the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee

For the second year in a row the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC) and Educhat presented a benefit concert August 22 at the former Wagar High School (now Marymount AdultEducation Centre) featuring the magnificent Musicians of the World SymphonyOrchestra. We wish to thank  conductor Joseph Milo and his wife Lucy Ravinsky for the wonderful partnership they have established with the City of Côte Saint-Luc and our committee.

Here are some video  highlights from the concert, with thanks to Darryl Levine.

I introduced the evening.

Once again the event sold out, with more than 300 people in attendance. They all left smiling. Funds raised from Beethoven, Broadway and All That Jazz –  the Cat’s Meow will go towards the CSLCC’s Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program and Educhat, the volunteer organization headed by Shelley Schecter, which has spearheaded efforts in Côte Saint-Luc and elsewhere. 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. The committee has also rescued a number of baby kittens and found homes for them. The city’s first ever cat licensing bylaw was adopted last fall.

The evening featured words of welcome from yours truly (as official liaison between the city and the committee), Mayor Anthony Housefather,  Councillor Sam Goldbloom, Liberal MNA for D’Arcy McGee Lawrence Bergman and Howard Liebman, the chief of staff to Mount Royal Liberal MP Irwin Cotler. Councillor Glenn J. Nashen was also in attendance as were English MontrealSchool Board Commissioners Marvin Helfenbaum, Joseph Lalla and Ellie Israel.

 

Councillor Goldbloom with Darlene and Jessyca from Safari Pet Centre.

Thanks to Norm Zimmerman of Steve’s Music Store for assisting us with equipment needs. We were pleased to have with us Jessyca DeSanctis and Darlene Ovenstein of the SafariPet Centre chain. Bravo to their stores for now “only” selling homeless cats provided by the Valleyfield SPCA (a no kill shelter). Stay tuned for the next edition of the new Precious Pets newspaper, published by Bram D. Eisenthal, which will feature a story about the concert.

While the Milo Orchestra brought the crowd to its feat countless times, so did solo performances by Alexandra Cohen and soprano Brigitte O’Halloran  

Joseph Milo and his orchestra respond to the applause.

The Musicians of the World Symphony Orchestra (MWSO) was founded in 2006 by Mr. Milo and  Ms. Ravinsky. This one of a kind orchestra was formed when it was discovered that a great pool of professional musicians, recently immigrated to Montreal, had no opportunity to make use of their valuable talent in their new home. The MWSO was created, not only to provide these new Canadians with the opportunity to engage in their main passion; making beautiful music in an orchestral setting, but to give them back the professional dignity they had enjoyed in their homelands and most especially, to share their wonderful talents with the music lovers of Montreal.

The MWSO is composed of 55 musicians: about 80 percent of its members are from 15 countries around the world, while the remaining 20 percent are natives of Montreal who successfully facilitated the integration of the newcomers. To date, the orchestra has entertained Montreal audiences with over 30 performances, including several benefit concerts as well as having produced several recordings. The orchestra has also been selected as the subject of four documentary films. They have been rehearsing at Côte Saint-Luc City Hall for many years and as part of the arrangement, they agree to perform a free concert once a year.

Brigitte O’Halloran is a Canadian soprano, originally from New Brunswick, who lived for many years in Italy before studying music in Quebec. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Performance in classical voice at Laval University and went on to attain her Master’s Degree and a Superior Specialized Studies Diploma, studying with Yolande Parent at the University of Montreal. She has been awarded the Hydro Quebec grant for promising young musicians and has been a two-time recipient of the Georges Cédric Ferguson Grant from the University of Montreal.

Alexandra Cohen has been performing in musical theatre since she was six years old in community and school productions, and acting in film, TV, and radio productions such as Rumours (CBC) and Prom Wars (Philms). She also frequently sang the national anthem for the Montreal Juniors hockey team and at Canada Day celebrations. She has been studying voice for three years with Joanne Fillion. Recently, her school’s glee club competed at the Show Choir Canada National Championships at the Sony Centre in Toronto. Alexandra was awarded Top Female Triple Threat performer at this competition. Her most recent film, Tale (Randfilm), continues to be screened at international film festivals. Alexandra is thrilled to be able to combine two of her loves, musical theatres and cats, in tonight’s performance on behalf of the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee.

Alexandra, accompanied on piano by  Mariana Muscaliuc, sang two songs: How Will I Know by Whitney Houston and Gimme Gimme from the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. She also served as the evening emcee.

 

This orchestra is simply superb.

The orchestra began the program with musical expressions of the classical era, with Gioacchino Rossini’s overture to the Famous Barber of Seville opera, followed by the first movement of the most popular symphony, Beethoven’s fifth symphony, which is played in worldwide concert halls and on television commercials. They then went on to Brahm’s Hungarian Dance #5, the last of those czardas like dances, and continued with the aria every soprano should sing, from Puccini’s opera Gianis chicchi. They closed the first part of the concert with a much loved piece that no symphony orchestra would dare not play: Bolero by Ravel.  The second half presentation featured music from some of the longest running Broadway shows, such as The Phantom of the Opera, Porgy and Bess, The Sound of Music, and Les Miserables. The evening conclude with a varied selected of combined jazz and Big band music composed by the world-renowned Cole Porter and band leaders who have set the tone for that style of heart-warming and dance inviting rhythms. 

A special cats opera encore number.

Before the start of the second half, Shelley Schecter presented an Award of Merit to Barbara Hilliker, a warm and caring women who takes in many homeless cats at a time, fosters them and then finds good homes for them to live in. Barbara is an angel.

Special thanks to lead staff persons Alvin Fishman, Harold Cammy, Regine Banon, Darryl Levine, Peter Kopitas, Ruth Farrugia and Janine West for their work on the file.

Our committee will now get back to our duty of Trap, Neuter, Release, Adopt and Educate. The latter includes making owners of outdoor cats aware that they now need a license and a tour of schools  by Alexandra Cohen and members of her committee.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at 514-485-6800 ext. CATS and access our website at www.cotesaintluc.org/cats.

CSL Cats Concert is August 22, 2013- We sold out last year, so don't wait too long to buy tickets

Thursday evening, August 22 with Musicians of the World
CÔTE SAINT-LUC CATS
COMMITTEE PLANS  BENEFIT CONCERT 

The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC), established less than three years ago, will hold a fundraising concert on Thursday, August 22 (7:30 p.m.) at the former Wagar High School (5785 Parkhaven).  Featured performers will be the Musicians of the World Orchestra (http://www.musiciansoftheworld.ca), conducted by Joseph Milo. 

Funds raised from Beethoven, Broadway and All That Jazz –  the Cat’s Meow will go towards the CSLCC’s Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program and Educhat (www.educhat.ca), the volunteer organization headed by Shelley Schecter, which has spearheaded efforts in Côte Saint-Luc and elsewhere. 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. The committee has also rescued a number of baby kittens and found homes for them. The city’s first ever cat licensing bylaw was adopted last fall.

Barbara Hilliker, who stepped up to assist the committee in the vital role of fostering cats awaiting homes, will receive the 2013 CSLCC Award of Merit.

Councillor Mike Cohen, who is the city’s official liaison to the committee, notes that the concert will be an opportunity for people who love animals to enjoy an evening of fine music while contributing to a good cause. In addition to the Orchestra,   Brigitte O’Halleran , as well CSL resident and avid cat committee member Alexandra Cohen will give solo performances. Cohen, a Grade 11 student, will be releasing a special video she produced about the Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt program that will be used for an educational  activity in schools beginning in the early fall.

The Musicians of the World Symphony Orchestra (MWSO) was founded in 2006 by conductor  Milo and his wife Lucy Ravinsky. This one of a kind orchestra was formed when it was discovered that a great pool of professional musicians, recently immigrated to Montreal, had no opportunity to make use of their valuable talent in their new home. The MWSO was created, not only to provide these new Canadians with the opportunity to engage in their main passion; making beautiful music in an orchestral setting, but to give them back the professional dignity they had enjoyed in their homelands and most especially, to share their wonderful talents with the music lovers of Montreal.

The MWSO is composed of 55 musicians: about 80 percent of its members are from 15 countries around the world, while the remaining 20 percent are natives of Montreal who successfully facilitated the integration of the newcomers. To date, the orchestra has entertained Montreal audiences with over 30 performances, including several benefit concerts as well as having produced several recordings. The orchestra has also been selected as the subject of four documentary films. They have been rehearsing at Côte Saint-Luc City Hall for many years and as part of the arrangement, they agree to perform a free concert once a year. The CSL Cats Committee  and Educhat are  the 2013 beneficiaries.

Tickets are only $10 each (tax included) and can be purchased now at the following locations: the main desk at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library (5851 Cavendish Boulevard); the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre (5794 Parkhaven Avenue); and the Côte Saint-Luc Hospital for Animals (7930 Baily Road). Tickets can be purchased at the first two locations by credit and debit card or cash and cash only at the Animal Hospital.

Councillors Cohen and Sam Goldbloom note  that information will be available that night for people interested in possibly joining the committee or adopting a cat.

For more information call 514-485-6806, ext. 2200 or log on to www.cotesaintluc.org/cats.

Shelley Schecter recognized with award by the city

Shelley Schecter is presented with the Hazel Lipes Award  at the City of Côte Saint-Luc Volunteer Night by Councillor Mike Cohen. The award recognizes a volunteer for their exceptional contribution to the Community Services Programs. Shelley  is the inspiration behind the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee, responsible for its Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program. She has dedicated her life towards animal welfare and as the founder of Educhat, she is called upon by individuals across the province for assistance in rescuing homeless cats." Without Shelley's leadership, our volunteer committee would not have the tremendous success rate it has attained in the three years since its formation." says Councillor Cohen, who oversees this initiative.

 

We care about dogs too: Shelley Schecter shares this story

A few weeks ago, I received a call from Donna Smollar., a resident of Côte St. Luc and a volunteer for our Cats Committee. She had just learned from her friend, Elena Hertz  about a case of a dog being held in a cage on a balcony. Elena’s friend Tania Marsh, a real estate agent had been showing the house next door and discovered a rigged up plastic over a cage with a large dog in it.  There were feces everywhere inside out outside of the cage and the food and water bowl were outside the cage. Tania’s husband, Jarred Brown  went back to take pictures. Tania called the SPCA and reported the situation.

The SPCA went to the house and saw the dog but were  unable to take the dog out due to legal restrictions Donna and I were told the dog owner’s mother tongue was not French or English, so we solicited the help of Denise  Nauffel, who shares the same mother tongue to help Donna and I  speak to the dog’s owner.

Because so much attention had been given to this man,,first by Tania, then  from the SPCA, serious concern from the  City of Côte St, Luc and finally by our gentle  persuasion , the dog owner voluntarily gave the dog over to us. We then brought him to the Côte St. Luc  Hospital for Animals.

The dog was like a puppy mill dog, who had been fed from time to time. His coat was so matted it was impossible to feel his ribs. His toes dripped of long fur. After being shaved, bathed, vaccinated and cared for by everyone at the Animal Hospital he has now been adopted into a loving home where he has two siblings.

Max (the dog's name) now has chance at a better life thanks to so many people caring enough to get involved.

Shelley Schecter

Educhat and the CSL Cats Committee

Zumbathon raises nearly $2,000 for the committee

Fern Pereira recently organized a very successful Zumbathon fundraiser for the Cats Committee at the West End Gym. An extraordinary total of $1,960 was raised. Here is her account of the event.

I volunteer with the CSL Cats Committee and Educhat and organized my first Zumbathon fundraiser. It took place at the West End Gym in the CSL Shopping Centre on Sunday, April 21  from 11 am  until 1:30 pm.   

Zumba action.

Zumba is the newest fitness craze. It consists of dance movements done to primarily Latin music. It is  very high paced, energetic and loads of fun.  Zumba attacts all age groups and though while primarily female there are some men who attend classes as well.  

I had attended a Zumbathon the past year and saw the great turnout and thought it would be a great idea to organize one to help stray cats.  I felt Zumba and helping animals would be a great combination. 

Some of our instructors

I asked Elena Bertoldi, an instructor at the gym I attend, West End Gym. Being an animal lover she readily agreed. I was advised to join Facebook as it would be the best way to organize the event.  I contacted a teacher from The Sweat Factory Leticia Nieto who is a big cat lover and struck gold! She got her fellow instructors involved and brought three  along.  I had three from my gym: Elena , Candida Ventura and Gilda Genis Triana.  Elena asked another instructor Jorge Martinez and he agreed as well.  Leticia Nieto asked instructors she knew: Viko Flores, Alessandra Gaudio and Barbara Mora.  Gilda Genis Triana suggested I asked Carole Albert, who also immediately agreed.All of these instructors were certified zumba instructors and they turned out to be a fun group and organized a great event!

Our committee.

I had nine  or more volunteers from the CSLCC helping me out. Two of the volunteers brought others  so honestly I am not sure how many were helping me out but there were many.  What a great gang of volunteers I am involved with!  Thanks to Shelley

Schecter (founder of the group along with Councillor Mike Cohen), Barbara Ann and her sister, Don and Barbara, Mary, Rachel A., Lydia G., Ursula, and Melanie.. You were all a big help! Rachel and Mary just sat down at the table and took over helping and took care of the people coming in  to take part in the event and give their mandatory $10 contribution.  Some of the participants were generous and gave $20 towards the cause.

The event was lots of fun and a roaring success! Everybody had a great time.You 

can check my Facebook page, Fern Robin.   We raised $1,960 to help stray/homeless

cats.