Northern Ont. woman seeks homes for feral cats through new cat rescue
Matilda is a feral cat that was trapped recently in Callander and is currently staying at Shady Acres Feral Cat Rescue, where she’s well on her way to adoption.
It’ll be her second chance at a home.
"She was extremely emaciated,” said Teresa Gilchrist, founder of the cat rescue.
“She was dirty and had scabs on her. She was grouchy but after a few days she came around.”
Gilchrist discovered she had a talent for working with feral cats, through previous work at the North Bay and District Humane Society and other animal rescues in southern Ontario.
In September 2021, when Gilchrist worked at the humane society, a smaller black male feral cat named Shady came into care. She quickly made it her mission to turn him into more than just a feral barn cat.
During his time with her, he learned to trust her and they developed a special bond. In December 2021, Shady became a member of the family.
Shady’s successful transformation is the reason Gilchrist founded Shady Acres, using a makeshift rehabilitation room in her home to help feral cats.
The wild cats are captured anywhere from Powassan up to West Nipissing.
"There could be 100 cats floating around,” she said.
“It's not only diseases … they'll take out bird populations. These cats are basically wild and will not approach people.”
Through her work and research, she’s discovered there are limited resources in northern Ontario compared to southern Ontario when it comes to feral cat care.
Teresa Gilchrist is the founder of Shady Acres Feral Cat Rescue in Corbeil and is seen here holding Matilda. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
She said the best thing is to give the cats their own space to free up room at local shelters because each feline will take time to get used to being with people again.
"We struggle with housing anti-social, feral animals because of their length of stay,” said Janet Bredin, shelter manager with the North Bay and District Humane Society.
“Our rehab program might not be as identified as someone's home and that one-on-one situation."
When a feral feline comes in, it's isolated right away to be inspected for disease or other health issues. This also helps the cat to get used to its new surrounding.
At the beginning, the cats aren’t too keen on having too much company, Gilchrist said. But once they’re ready, the cats will then be introduced to the other cats in the rehabilitation room.
Gilchrist will then work with the animals to get them on the road for adoption once they're ready.
Just opened at the end of February, she's currently caring for three feral cats, including a pregnant female. But she expects to be quite busy.
"Ferals just aren't that angry type that nothing can happen to them and they need to go to a barn or back on the streets,” she said.
While the humane society does not partner with Gilchrist at this time, the shelter said additional organizations working for the betterment of animals is always a positive thing.
"We're really happy and eager to hear of other rescues and especially for feral cats,” said Bredin.
“We are excited to talk relationships in the future."
Gilchrist said the most important thing is finding these cats a loving, caring family.
"We want to get them into their homes and settled,” she said.
To learn more about Shady Acres, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.