A New Westminster cat found its way home in a rather roundabout way.
Following a Feb. 17 apartment fire on Smith Avenue in Burnaby, volunteers with the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team set up traps in an attempt to locate some of the cats that were missing following the fire.
"We didn't actually trap any cats from the apartment fire," said volunteer Cheryl Rogers, a Queensborough resident. "We trapped a cat from New Westminster. He had escaped from where it was staying on Grandview Highway. It was presumably trying to get home."
The team posted notices about the found cat on Craigslist and Kijiji.
"This gal saw the ad on Kijiji. She said, 'I almost didn't follow up on it - how could it be?'" said Rogers, noting the cat was easily identified as it had some unique markings. "I took him over there. He was happy to be home. He has a little girl that he lives with and a puppy."
Although the team would have liked to have located some of the cats from the fire, volunteers were pleased they were able to find a cat that otherwise may not have been reunited with its owner.
In addition to the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team, Rogers also volunteers with the New Westminster-based Pacific Volunteer Education and Assistance Team for Animals Society.
The group advocates for education and urges pet owners to have their cats tattooed or microchipped so they can be reunited if they become separated.
"Those are both permanent identification," Rogers said. "A lot of cats won't keep a collar on."
For anyone interested in volunteering in animal response, the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team is offering an introductory workshop on emergency pet services on Sunday, May 5 in New Westminster.
The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $35.
A press release states the course provides information on community animal disaster response, animals included in emergency response, and a review of how animals are treated within the command system.
"You will learn how to prepare a grab-and-go kit for pet(s) and the steps to take before you can effectively deploy to disasters," stated a press release. "At the end of this course, you will be able to assist animals and their people in the event of a disaster in your community, responding as a member of an emergency pet services team."
For more information on the course, call 604529-2522. To register, go to www.cdart.org.
PHOTO CONTEST TO SHOW LIBRARY LOVE
The New Westminster Public Library is celebrating the opening of its new branch with a photo contest.
When the new and expanded Queensborough Community Centre opens this spring, the New Westminster Public Library will become a two-branch library system for the first time in its 142-year history.
The library is celebrating the new Queensborough branch by asking community members to show - in photographs - what they love best about the library and New Westminster.
The My New Westminster photo contest, which runs until May 31, gives residents a chance to capture what they love most about the city in a photo and submit it to the library.
Everyone is invited to take part - no matter his or her age or skill levels.
For more details, visit the library's website at www.nwpl.ca and look under events. Any questions can be emailed to [email protected].
The New Westminster Public Library is at 716 Sixth Ave. For more information, call 604-527-4660.
RICHARD MCBRIDE TOPIC OF MEETING University of Victoria professor emeritus Patricia Roy will discuss her book about Sir Richard McBride at the New Westminster Historical Society's upcoming meeting.
The topic of the society's April 17 evening is: From New Westminster to Old Westminster - Sir Richard McBride. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 17 at 7: 30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library at 716 Sixth Ave.
Local historian Archie Miller states that Roy will discuss her new book, which is a biography of Sir Richard McBride.
"Titled Boundless Optimism, the study covers McBride and his great influence in the development of British Columbia," stated a press release. "The title of the presentation connects McBride with his hometown to his last posting in London, England, as British Columbia's agent general.
"This will be a fascinating program on McBride who was born and raised in Sapperton, attended early school in the city, and who is commemorated locally by a school, a street and a family plot in Fraser Cemetery (although he himself is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria)."
The program is free and everyone is welcome. There is no need to preregister.
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