Tiffany's Homemade Shelter

Location: Montreal (since 2013)

Animals rescued: cats

 

Interview by Allan Tong

(April 2018)

 

 

At Guardian's Best Party4Paws fundraiser last November in Montreal, Montreal office manager Tiffany Stevanovich was awarded for volunteering with the Frontier Animal Society. In fact, Tiffany has been rescuing stray cats on her own for several years. Another irony is that Tiffany is a dog lover. Tiffany explained her passionate work: 

 

Last November, you were recognized for volunteering with the Frontier Animal Society. Tell us about your work for them.
Actually, I do not volunteer per se. Rather, Frontier's founder Joyce Dekker was the first sanctuary to open its doors to me and extend a helping hand. I now deal with a few other rescues and find adopters on my own. Frontier has taken in
many of my strays over the years, but they have also provided me with encouragement, advice and referrals.

 

So you rescue animals all by yourself?

Since mid-2013, I have used my balcony and garden (see photos below) as a safe zone for 30 stray cats so far. There are styrofoam shelters, food and water for them (second and fourth photos of black contractor bags covering styrofoam boxes). In late-fall when it turns colder, the balcony is winterized to enclose it from the elements (see first and third photos of blue insulation), and individual shelters are placed. Food is always available. The final goal is to get strays off the streets, sterilized and into forever homes. I seek out adopters or a refuge that will give them this second chance. I then work on catching said strays, from setting up a trap, to enlisting the help of a professional with a drop cage, or coaxing them into a carrier myself. When one starts coming regularly, I always name them. Once caught, the stray either goes to a vet, holding space or directly to the refuge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How long does it take to rescue an animal?
Days. Some cats have taken months. It all depends on their trust level, and if whether it is an emergency (i.e. injured or pregnant). 

What was your first rescue?
One day, I noticed a way-too-skinny, little cat roaming my laneway. One neighbour told me that her owners had moved and dumped her a few months prior. I was fuming! I had always loved pets, but was scared because I was not comfortable with cats. I had two dogs growing up, both rescues from the SPCA. When I was five, I was scratched badly by my aunt's cat. I was also a bit of a germaphobe who had zero knowledge and contacts in the rescue world. Anyway, I started leaving food and water for the skinny stray while I made an emergency temporary shelter out of a cardboard box wrapped in heavy construction garbage bags. Because I had a sick and fiercely jealous doggy at the time, I could not take that cat in. That's when I cold-called Frontier.

 

What are some common problems in catching a stray?
Time. I work full-time and take care of my grandma. After a long day, I don’t always feel like watching for strays for hours. Also, there's the emotional expenditure. There are a lot of tears and stress. I've seen abuse and neglect, and have heard heartbreaking stories of abandonment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What about the costs?
At one point I was feeding six strays at the same time, so you can imagine. Instead of buying a Starbucks coffee, weekend meal or a flat-screen TV, I put that money aside. It's about priorities.

 

What do you say to an animal lover who would like to help strays, but isn't sure about it?  
If I can do it, anyone can. If you come across an animal in need, you have an obligation to help. There is a quote: Saving the life of one animal may not change the world, but the world will change for that one animal. I would add, your
world also changes.