The bake sale held on Oct. 8th at Food Basics in Kemptville was a huge success.

The sun was warm, the people were friendly and generous. We wish to thank all of those that so kindly baked , pickled, made preserves and donated goods for this major fund raising sale for Country Cat Sanctuary a non funded registered charity and to those who took the time to stop by the tables and purchase some of these yummy treats or just wanted to make a donation to the rescue cats and kittens. Every penny counts when you are operating a rescue Sanctuary. You all made a big difference ....

The day was a wonderful day... warm , blue skies and a pleasant atmosphere with people all mingling about and choosing their goodies and let me tell you we had the tables all stocked up with GOODIES GALORE ! The only thing we did not appreciate for them to drop by and taste the sweets were the "yellow Jacket" wasps..... were they ever interested in our merchandise LOL Well maybe they know what is good and Yummy.. I only wish they had paid for the taste testing .

When we asked the "Cat Gods" to give us a warm and sunny day we forgot to mention the desired temperature.... and the heat was turned on a little too much ... the chocolate items did not appreciate that. Thankfully we had some coolers with ice and we played musical chairs with the delicate items... in to the cooler , come out ...be sold ...and the next batch in to the cooler and so on.. it worked for some of them and some of them were let me say more "out of shape" and had to be sacrificed and did go down in to our tummies ....well we had to make sure they were good didn't we LOL... BUT rest assured we did put the appropriate money in to the collection Jar.. HONEST!

It is so wonderful that we have a support group in donating the goods.

Also

A support group who makes sure to drop by at the tables and pick out a selection of tasty treats for themselves and toys, hammocks and mats for their cats too.
All we can say is,

"THANK YOU TO EACH AND ALL OF YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS ON OUR BEHALF

AND THE KITTIES BEHALF TOO."

You are the wind under our wings and you make us fly.

2 nd Annual Ride For Rescue Cats Aug. 14, 2011

Great Success despite Weather Forecast

We were so pleased with the turnout for our 2 nd annual fund raising event in memory of “Little Jack” an eight week old rescued tabby kitten who lost his life at this young age. Unfortunately for Jack the call to rescue him came too late and he passed away after 4 intensive weeks of desperately trying to save his little life. Through his untimely passing this ride was created to raise funds for other little rescues in need.

Once again for the second time the weather played havoc with The Ride for Rescue Cats. The night before many phone calls and emails came saying sorry we won’t be coming, due to bad weather. It was discouraging but rain or shine the ride would be going. For days we prayed let it shine, let it shine but under cloudy skies, a small, but fearless group rode off with the hopes of not getting soaked. Two little girls volunteered this year to help and not rain, clouds, winds or any weather forecast could dampen their spirits. They both came to help the rescue cats in need.

Our first young volunteer to show up on this dreary day was Sarah Studholme and her dad Randy from Ottawa. She busily worked setting up the coveralls, placing rider’s gifts perfectly on the tables and willingly did anything asked of her. She stayed till late into the afternoon guarding the many donated prizes and greeting visitors.

Our second young volunteer came in the form of a girl who wanted to raise money for the cats. Her name is Sophie Anderson from Appleton who was dropped off early morning by her mom along with her little vendors stand and overhead umbrella. She had the week prior to the ride single handedly, baked cookies, brownies, marshmallow treats and when not baking made friendship bracelets to sell. Unloading jugs and jugs of water and ice, she had also come prepared to sell thirst quenching lemonade, which was made fresh on demand. She sat there the entire day to the bitter end and raised $84. Sophie proudly presented all money raised to the Sanctuary as a donation.

Without youngsters like these two little girls there would be no volunteers for the future. Each was greatly appreciated in their tremendous efforts and they helped to make the ride a huge success.

One by one and in small groups the bikers arrived, which was a wonderful sight to see. In total we had 28 die hard bikers register along with their 12 passengers. Special thanks to a very dedicated War Veteran named Kitbag who rode 2730 km over the prior three days. Thanks to Kitbag, Toopie our little star dog from last year was able to make the ride again. His owner got in to Ottawa that morning, had a coffee, and then rode out to join us in Almonte. Now that is a real trooper. No way was he going to disappoint Toopie who barks when he hears the roar of the bikes. Toopie again this year completed the entire ride. Another War Veteran, Spider left Peterborough at 5 a.m. to arrive in Almonte to take part in this ride. That’s what we call support.

This year a new critter joined us, Ranger the cat who came with his owner from Gatineau, QC.

We started out under cloudy skies and en route from time to time got the odd short lived hint of sun shine down on our backs. Not a drop of rain fell on us through the entire 250 km. ride. That in itself was a huge relief to all of us. The route was a rural scenic setting with every type of road to suit all of the riders; twists, curves and straight. We stopped at Bud’s on the Bay in Brockville for a leisurely lunch and then headed back to Almonte. Once back the riders were treated to a bountiful table of wraps, fruits, snacks, refreshments, coffee and a badly needed bum break. The draws were then done for all of the generously donated prizes of which there were many. It amazes me that in these economically uncertain times that merchants can still open their hearts and so happily and gladly donate to this tiny ride. For all of these donated prizes we are extremely grateful.

Our special hand carved award of Little Jack was presented to Lori Cooke of Orleans who collected the most pledges. Lori has been a true supporter of Country Cat Sanctuary for many years. Last year she baked cheesecakes for months and months and even into this year to be the top pledge collector of the 2010 ride. The Little Jack carving was created by Daniel Kuryliak a former motorcycle rider who proudly did the presentation of his masterpiece. Little Jack will be awarded to the rider who collects the most pledges every year, so start collecting now. Daniel is currently working on a second unique award for next years ride. With hugs and waves and newly formed friendships, the Ride for Rescue Cats once more came to an end but we’ll be back next year and maybe, just maybe the sun will shine down on us. One thing for sure Mother Nature may still be testing us but she will never beat us we just don’t give up that easy.

We are so happy, thankful and overwhelmed with the continued support of T.V., newspapers, magazines, internet sites, radio stations and any and all forms of media who once again came to the aid of our “cry for help” in advertising and promoting this young ride. Special thanks to Tommy Levi of Levi Home Hardware in Almonte who again allowed us to use his parking lot for this ride. Thank you to the businesses and there were many which I have listed below who donated generous prizes for our riders without any hesitation. Thanks to a small handful of volunteers Trudy Winterburn (Ottawa) , Melanie Payant (Ottawa), Randy Studholme (Ottawa) and his daughter Sarah and Sophie Anderson (Appleton) who are the future supporters of fundraising events. Not to forget my always supportive sister Heather Gadbois and niece Tammy Rivington both of Almonte who never question my efforts but are always there to help in any way they can. And finally a special thanks to a huge unsung hero named Ayse Akgun from Stittsville. Ayse was seen literally running after motorcycles down the road, corner them at a stop and hand out the flyers to invite them to the ride. The only thing that would have made this sight funnier was if she had been dressed in a cat suit. Watch for that next year. But to those of us that know her this is just Ayse. Ayse is the long time, main volunteer, caregiver for the Sanctuary and goes far and beyond what the average person would do to save a feline. She loves to nurture cats and kittens especially the really sick ones and takes them to her home which she calls her Private hospital LOL and has literally brought many cats and kittens back from deaths door. Without her not taking NO for an answer there would be more Little Jacks in heaven. ... We have begun to refer to her as “The Nurse”. This type of love and care is a rare find. This year more than other years in the past, the number of rescues has dramatically increased but the love and care at this Sanctuary never wanes, it is constant. Cases of injuries, abuse and immediate emergency care has escalated and each and every cat rescued gets all the proper care needed to nurse it back to health. For this reason a steady flow of funds are needed for this life saving work to continue. This little Sanctuary is a non funded registered charity and relies on donations. If you were not able to take part in the ride and wish to help, please go to the link that shows many ways you can make a donation. Small or large it all adds up in the end. At this Sanctuary they believe every little feline deserves a second chance in life. Look over the cats and kittens and see if there is one you would like to give this second chance too. In closing, we want to thank on behalf of the feline rescues at Country Cat Sanctuary, from the bottom of their tiny feline hearts.... each and every person who supported this ride in their own special way….

VERY SPECIAL THANKS

TO OUR CUSTOM T-SHIRT DESIGNER, DOUG BEESLEY OF OTTAWA WHO WORKED SO HARD TO PERFECT OUR RIDE LOGO A HUGE THANK YOU. HIS EXTREME PATIENCE DURING THIS CREATIVE TIME WAS OUTSTANDING. AS A RESULT OF HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE GRAPHIC DESIGN FIELD WE PROUDLY HAVE AN OUTSTANDING LOGO FOR THIS SPECIAL RIDE IN MEMORY OF LITTLE JACK. THE T-SHIRTS HE MADE WERE A HUGE HIT AT OUR RECENT RIDE AND WILL REMAIN OUR PERMANENT LOGO. ANYONE WISHING TO HAVE CUSTOM T-SHIRTS DESIGNED WITH CONFIDENCE PLEASE

CONTACT DOUG AT: d.beesley@yahoo.ca

SPECIAL THANKS TO

TOM LEVI, LEVI HOME HARDWARE, ALMONTE FOR ALLOWING US TO USE HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT RIDE.

DANIEL KURYLIAK, OTTAWA FOR HIS LOVELY HAND CARVED AWARD

BRIAN QUARRINGTON, TIM HORTON’S, ALMONTE FOR HIS KIND DONATION OF TIMBITS

ELAINE MUNROE, ALMONTE FOR ONCE AGAIN MAKING THE COFFEE

AYSE AKGUN, STITTSVILLE FOR PROVIDING THE LOVELY LUNCH FOR THE RIDERS WHEN WE CAME BACK

TO OUR VOLUNTEERS, HEATHER, TAMMY, ALMONTE, MELANIE-OTTAWA, SARAH/RANDY-OTTAWA, TRUDY-OTTAWA, SOPHIE-APPLETON

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO KINDLY DONATED PRIZES FOR OUR RIDERS

Cycle Master, Ashton, www.cyclemastermotorcycles.com (613) 253-7552

Powersports Ottawa, Ottawa, www. powersports canada.com , (613) 224-7899

Ottawa Good Times Centre, Ottawa, www. ottawagoodtime .com (613) 731-9071

Gear Head, Nepean, www. gearhead canada.com ( 613) 828-9151

Carleton Place Marine Yamaha, Black’s Corners, www.cpmarine.com (613) 257-1772

Inside Motorcycles Magazine, Toronto, www.insidetracknews.com , www.insidemotorcycles.com , www.insidemotocross.com (519) 869-4969

Riders Quest Magazine, Peterborough, www.ridersquest.ca (705) 768-7993

Doug Beesley, Ottawa, Custom/Personally Designed T-Shirts. d.beesley@yahoo.ca

Woolgrowers, Carleton Place, www.wool.ca (613) 257-2714

Prestige Esthetics, Carleton Place, (613) 257-5025 (Spa)

Astrid Colton, Sudbury, www. petportraitscanada.ca (705) 522-7841

Openoga Mountain Meadow Soaps, Eganville, www.opeongo.com (613) 754-2955

ARG Mayhem, Almonte, (613) 256-5595 (game room, collectibles, fun shop)

The Barley Mow, Almonte, www. barleymow .com (613) 256-5669

Ballygiblin’s, Carleton Place, www. ballygiblins .ca (613) 253-7400

Country Kitchen, 2159 Hwy 31, Winchester, (613) 774-2417

Buds on the Bay, Brockville, www. budsonthebay .com ( 613) 345-4341

The Old Mill at Ashton, Ashton, www. ashton pub.ca (613) 257-4423

J.R’s Restaurant, Almonte, www. jrsrestaurant .com (613) 256-2031

Cortelli’s Pizzeria, 91 Bridge St, Almonte, (613) 256-5417

Milano Pizzeria, 27 Bridge St. Almonte (613) 256-2525
Fiddleheads, Perth, www. fiddleheads barandgrill.com ( 613) 267-1304

Cakes by Abra, Ottawa, www.cakesbyabra.weebly.com ( 613) 294-1651

Ottawa 67’s, Ottawa, www. ottawa67s .com ( 613) 232-5586

Yuk Yuk’s, Ottawa, www. yukyuk s.com (613) 236-5233

Donations Made Through Full Circles

First Choice Haircutters, Ottawa

McConville’s Auto, Vanier

Doodle SPainting, Ottawa

CHUM, Ottawa

Donations by Feline Rescues

Sadie, Rescue Cat, Almonte

Katie, Rescue Cat, Ottawa

Boris, Rescue Cat, Stittsville

Shadow, Rescue Cat, Almonte

Logan, Rescue Cat, Stittsville

Patches, Rescue Cat, Almonte

Monetary Donations

Tooo many to list. Support was overwhelming.