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Regina Cat Rescue Faces Urgent Foster Plea

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/22/regina-cat-rescue-faces-urgent-foster-plea.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, February 22nd 2026 at 22:58 GMT by Global News
      Locales: Saskatchewan, CANADA

Regina, Saskatchewan - February 23, 2026 - Willow Haven Cat Rescue, a cornerstone of animal welfare in Regina, is issuing an urgent plea for foster families as the shelter teeters on the brink of capacity. The non-profit organization is experiencing a significant influx of feline residents, straining resources and threatening their ability to provide the necessary care to all animals under their protection.

Willow Haven president Lisa Dergousoff painted a stark picture of the current situation. "We're getting cats in faster than we can get them out," she stated, emphasizing the accelerating rate of intake. As of today, the shelter houses over 60 cats, with an additional 20 currently placed in foster homes. This total represents a critical mass, pushing the organization to its limits and jeopardizing the quality of care they can deliver.

The surge in abandoned and surrendered cats isn't an isolated incident. Across Canada, animal shelters are reporting similar increases in animal intake, a trend experts attribute to a complex interplay of factors including economic hardship, a lack of accessible spay and neuter programs, and a heightened awareness of shelter services. While increased awareness sounds positive, it means more animals are brought in seeking help, and shelters like Willow Haven are increasingly burdened with meeting the growing demand.

"We want to make sure we can provide proper care to all of our animals, but when we're at capacity, that becomes very difficult," Dergousoff explained. Overcrowding leads to increased stress for the cats, heightening the risk of illness and the spread of disease. It also limits the staff's ability to provide individual attention, socialization, and enrichment - all crucial elements in preparing cats for successful adoption.

Willow Haven's predicament highlights a larger issue: the reliance on a dedicated network of foster families is paramount to the success of any animal rescue operation. Foster care provides a temporary, nurturing environment for cats who may be too young, sick, or stressed to thrive in a shelter setting. It frees up valuable space within the shelter, allowing for the intake of more animals in need. Crucially, fostering allows rescue organizations to gain a better understanding of a cat's personality and behavior in a home environment, leading to more informed and successful matches with potential adopters.

The benefits of fostering extend beyond the rescue organization. For prospective adopters, fostering offers a "trial run" - a chance to experience cat ownership without the long-term commitment. Many foster families end up adopting their foster cats, forging a lasting bond. For individuals and families unable to commit to full-time pet ownership, fostering provides a fulfilling way to contribute to animal welfare.

Willow Haven alleviates the burden on prospective foster parents by providing all necessary supplies. This includes high-quality cat food, litter, essential medical care (including vaccinations and any necessary treatments), and ongoing support from experienced staff. This comprehensive approach ensures that foster families are well-equipped to provide the best possible care for their temporary feline companions. The organization also offers guidance on cat behavior, health concerns, and the adoption process.

Dergousoff emphasized the rewarding nature of fostering. "It's a really rewarding experience to be able to provide a temporary, loving home for a cat that needs it," she said. Knowing that you are making a tangible difference in an animal's life, offering them comfort and care during a vulnerable time, can be profoundly satisfying.

Willow Haven is actively seeking individuals and families willing to open their homes to cats in need. Interested parties can find more information and submit a foster application on the Willow Haven website: [Insert Hypothetical Website Address Here - e.g., www.willowhavencatrescue.ca]. The organization is also appealing for donations to help cover the costs of food, litter, and veterinary care. In a time of increasing need, the collective effort of the community is vital to ensuring the well-being of Regina's vulnerable feline population.