Family, friends and animal lovers gathered at the Flin Flon/Creighton and Area SPCA Sept. 8 to pay respects and check out the unveiling for the new addition to their building, dedicated to the memory of a founding force.
The “catio” was created and fundraised in memory of Debbie Ramsay. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Ramsay’s daughter Carmen Ward and livestreamed over social media to family across Canada.
“Debbie was instrumental in creating a safe place for the animals in our community,” SPCA president Erica Husberg said.
“A place where they would know warmth, they would never be hungry they would never be hurt again - and know what it was like to be loved and cared for.”
The catio is a deck outside the SPCA enclosed in mesh, so the cats living inside the building can enjoy the outdoors. A couple residents even hopped up right above Husberg and Ward while they were speaking.
“Debbie's love for everything living is what we will always remember about her,” Husberg said.
“Her love of the land was evident in everything that she did throughout her life, the love and compassion that she had for animals was her true calling.”
Ward got emotional as she spoke.
“I think a catio is the perfect thing to remember my mom by,” she said.
“It's gorgeous. I'm thankful to everybody who helped make it.”
During the unveiling, the SPCA showed off the catio section and their renovated interior, allowing people who showed up to the event to interact with over a dozen cats currently calling the SPCA home. They also had an adoption drive to help their cats find their forever home.
