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.

 

 

Beautiful female cat Angel available for adoption

This is Angel.  She is about six months old and currently being minded by one of the wonderful volunteers from the Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee.  Shelley Schecter from the CSLCC and Educhat reports that she  is quite timid,  but will come around with some attention. "She needs a forever home,"  says Shelley. " She is very sweet and she loves the person she is staying with now,  but is shy with strangers She will make a wonderful companion for someone."

 

 

 

If you know someone who is interested in adopting Angel,  please email educhat.quebec@gmail.com.

 

CSL Cats Committee and Educhat plan Zumbathon

The Côte Saint-Luc Cats Committee (CSLCC)  and Educhat  will present a Zumbathon for a Cause on Sunday, April 21 (11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) at the West End Gym in the CSL Shopping Centre  (7025 Côte St. Luc Road)

Anyone who makes a  minimum donation  of $10 at the door is invited to participate. Tax receipts are available for donations of $50 or more. “Dance, get in shape, have fun and make a positive contribution to ours cats programming,” says event chair Fern Robin.

The CSLCC, established less than three years ago, works in partnership with Shelley Schecter of Educhat on a  Trap, Neuter, Release and Adopt Program   A team of volunteers set  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 recently.   

Nine zumba instructors have generously agreed to donate their time. Participants will be able to enjoy a fun zumba session and help the rescue efforts of homeless “community” cats. They are  Elena Bertoldi, Leticia Nieto, Gilda Genis Triana ,Candida Ventura, Barbara Mora, Alessandra Gaudio, Carole Albert,  Viko Flores and Jorge Martinez.

For more information call 514-485-6806, ext. 2200 or log on to www.cotesaintluc.org/cats,  www.educhat.ca or Facebook (Côte St. Luc Cats Committee TNR Program).

Quebec Spay and Neuter Day is February 26

On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Quebec will mark Spay and Neuter Day.

Here is a link to  Councillor Mike Cohen's blog on the event.