by Denise Davy

Nicole Paling snuggles two adorable kittens to her chest and smiles as she talks about the business of cat rescuing. Ben and Jerry, as she has named the kittens, are two of the 196 felines Nicole has rescued since setting up her group, Every Life Matters (ELM) two years ago.

ELM was born on impulse on a cold January night while Paling was reading Facebook and saw a post about a cat that had climbed into an old dryer outside of someone’s door. “I read through all the comments and saw no one stepping up to help so I commented on the feed that I would go get him and bring him to safety,” she recalls.

A few hours later, after fighting freezing cold temperatures and a stuck dryer door, Paling came home with a black and white male cat. What she didn’t realize was how many more would follow. Over the past two years, whenever she’s heard of an abandoned cat through social media or word of mouth, she has gone on a search and rescue through abandoned homes, woods, scrapyards…. you name it.

She recently hopped an eight-foot fence to grab five four-week-old kittens that had been abandoned. Her passion has opened her eyes to Burlington’s feral cat problem and it’s why she has all of the cats spayed and neutered before finding them homes. “I rely heavily on my village, and my followers who continue to encourage and support my efforts,” she notes. Animal rescue groups fill an important role in the community by overseeing the care of abandoned animals. They’re often run by volunteers, like Paling, who take on the medical expenses involved in healing the animals and having them spayed and neutered. According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, there are at least ten million unowned cats across Canada. In 2015, 15,341 cats and 2,820 dogs were euthanized.

In Oakville, a large group of passionate volunteers form the backbone of The Dog Rescuers Inc. They’ve been rescuing and re-homing dogs since 2009, including their most “famous” rescue, a Great Pyrenees pup who was found a few months ago tied up in a bag inside a dumpster. Cupid – as they called him – was born with partial front legs and has now been outfitted with a prosthetic device that looks like mini-skis. They take in between 100 to 150 dogs a year, and facilitate more dogs getting into other rescues or humane societies.  President Joan Znidarec said they cover all of their own expenses such as gas and phone bills and raise funds to cover the dogs’ medical bills through events like bake sales, art auctions and bowling parties.

In Hamilton, an abiding friendship combined with a love of animals lead to the formation of the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary back in 2011. Since then, Janine Stoll, Lisa Winn and Melissa McLelland have rescued 784 animals, including dogs, cats, rats and guinea pigs. The best friends also share a love of music and McLelland and her husband, 

Luke Doucet, form the songwriting duo known as Whitehorse. “We’ve all shared a passion for animal welfare and we saw a need in our community,” says McLelland. Over the years, they’ve found 20 to 30 volunteer foster homes who they work with to rescue animals from high-kill shelters in the community. Every worker is volunteer, from the people who foster animals to those who adopt them.

They also rescue a lot of the smaller animals some shelters won’t take, like rats and guinea pigs. “We’ve seen an incredible difference in the six years we’ve been a registered charity,” she claims. McLelland says she and her friends felt they had no choice but to do something when they learned that high-kill shelters were bursting at the seams with unwanted pets who had been abused, abandoned and neglected. “It’s been amazing to see everyone come together to help animals in need.”

Local Links

Every Life Matters, Burlington
elmcatrescue.com

Ninth Life, Oakville / Mississauga
ninthlifecatrescue.org

The Dog Rescuers Inc., Oakville
thedogrescuersinc.ca

Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, Hamilton
ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com

… building confidence for budding thespians
by  Allison Dempsey

“All the world’s a stage” ~Shakespeare

The next time you find yourself telling your child to “stop being so dramatic,” maybe consider enrolling them in a theatre program instead, where they can emote to their heart’s content all while developing critical thinking skills, self-assurance and a sense of empowerment.

Theatre programs offer a variety of performance options, including, to name a few, musical theatre, acting for the camera, drama, Glee and show choir. Not only do they provide an incredible creative outlet, but musical theatre and acting classes can help foster confidence, empathy and courage. For someone who is shy or has anxiety about public speaking, acting and singing onstage can be truly terrifying. And that’s exactly why these programs can be hugely inspiring and beneficial in a number of ways.

There are numerous schools and programs available in the area including the Burlington-based Centre Stage Theatre School, that caters to both excited beginners and seasoned performers, focusing on strong acting skills, expression and individual style. Innovative Arts in Oakville for ages eight to 18 teaches singing, acting and dancing while casting students in challenging musical roles.

“It’s all about confidence,” says Producer and Managing Director, Nathan Mcleod of Innovative Arts. “Even first time students are given a leading role here. There’s no sitting around and watching. We challenge them and encourage them to take a risk.”

Mcleod acknowledges that students are often in a vulnerable position when they first come into the program, especially if they’ve never participated in the performing arts before, but it’s all about building confidence while ensuring they get to experience the numerous aspects of being on the stage firsthand. “Theatre promotes selflessness,” he says. “Students make lifelong friends as they support and encourage one another to try and do their very best.”

Along with making friends and having a wonderful time, students learn the vital lessons of empathy and self-discipline says Burlington Arts Theatre Program Director, Rainer Naock. “Encouraging your kids to be a part of something bigger in life is vital,” he says. “Kids need to know that they’re making a difference, big or small, and that the arts are everywhere in the community. Walking in another person’s shoes inspires empathy and confidence.”

Burlington Student Theatre, bringing Broadway to Burlington since 1978, helps children and youth to participate in a wide range of performing arts opportunities, building opportunities and tools that can be used in daily life. “The arts is a hidden gem,” says Naock. “It’s not instant gratification, but the benefits pay off down the road, when you realize how much you’ve learned and what you can give back to the community and to yourself.”

Other positive qualities associated with participating in theatre programs include presentation and speaking and communication skills, imagination, concentration and focus, physical fitness, self-discipline, and a sense of commitment. All this while being creative and having fun. “They may accomplish something they never thought possible,” says Mcleod. Really, what is more amazing than that?

SUMMER THEATRE CAMPS

Burlington Performing Arts Camp,
Burlington Performing Arts Centre:
July 4 to 7
July 17 to 21
July 24 to 28

Centre Stage Theatre School,
Mainway, Burlington:
July 10 to August 18

Innovative Arts Summer Day Camp,
Oakville:
July 17 to 21 (Junior)
July 24 to 28 (Senior)

The Creative Theatre Acting Camp,
Harry Howell Arena, Flamborough:
July 24 to 28

Local Links

Centre Stage Theatre School, Burlington
centrestagetheatreschool.com

Burlington Student Theatre
burlington.ca

Innovative Arts, Oakville
innovativearts.com

The Oakville Academy for the Arts
oakvilleacademy.com