MOOSE JAW — The Stray Cat Rescue and Protection Society (SCRAPS) Moose Jaw is always raising money and asking for the public’s assistance — but this time, the local rescue group is just saying thanks.
Following its annual general meeting, the board of directors and volunteers with SCRAPS Moose Jaw said they’re feeling deeply grateful for the network of support that continues to sustain their mission of compassion and care.
“We just wanted to send out a thank you to everybody who supported us over the years,” said SCRAPS volunteer Anne Marciszyn. “That’s how we continue our program and it’s kind of amazing — (to have) the support of (so many) people who care about what we do and have confidence in us.”
The community-run cat rescue began in 2011 with one cat and has since grown to care for an average of 250 to 300 cats annually, including nearly 340 in 2024 alone. Right now, the number of confirmed cats in local foster care hovers around 140.
That work wouldn’t be possible without its 45 to 50 active foster homes, which fluctuate throughout the year as families take breaks or return from vacation.
“We have a pretty dedicated foster team,” Marciszyn said. “There are so many people behind the scenes that aren’t seen … colony caretakers, volunteers in the store, board members — everybody’s part of our puzzle.”
The group also partners with satellite adoption locations, including Pet Valu Moose Jaw, Pet Valu Regina (Lewvan location), Excalipurr Cat Café, and PetSmart Grasslands in Regina. These corporate fosters help showcase adoptable cats and provide added space to support SCRAPS’ rotating intake needs.
SCRAPS operates under a trap-neuter-release (TNR) model and currently monitors about 20 cat colonies in Moose Jaw and nearby communities. Each site has a designated caregiver who feeds, monitors, and supports the colony, often for years.
“We have cats who were with us from 2012 who are still with us in 2025 and doing well,” Marciszyn said. “It just kind of shows the success of the program.”
Every cat — whether destined for a forever home or supported outdoors — is treated with dignity and given veterinary care, including vaccines, microchips, and spay or neuter surgery.
The approach taken by SCRAPS isn’t just humane; it’s practical. Marciszyn pointed to an example from Chicago, Ill., where the city once ranked among the most rodent-infested in North America. In response, animal welfare groups launched a program that placed feral cats in commercial and residential areas as natural pest control. The result was a dramatic reduction in rats — and a renewed appreciation for the value of stray cats in urban ecosystems.
The message from SCRAPS is clear: when communities come together to support responsible rescue work, everyone benefits.
“We try and model compassionate action,” Marciszyn said. “There’s so much compassion needed for animals that are living without support, and our environment is pretty harsh. But when we treat our fellow animals and our planet well, it just all comes back to us as people.”
For further information, SCRAPS Moose Jaw can be reached at 306-684-9048 or by email at [email protected].
