Victoria Fundraiser Celebrates Cutest Cats, Raises Nearly $2,000

A recent fundraiser in Victoria has successfully combined community spirit and feline charm, raising $1,943 for the Solid Outreach Society. The event, initiated by local resident Emily Fields, aimed to support harm-reduction services in Greater Victoria while engaging cat owners in a light-hearted competition to identify the neighbourhood’s “cutest cat.”

The fundraiser, inspired by the popular Fernwood Catwalk, began in September 2023. Fields, a mental health professional and advocate for Indigenous-led initiatives, sought to create a platform for community support. “I’m a huge supporter of harm-reduction, Indigenous-led and peer-centred initiatives,” she explained. “I wanted to find a way for the community to come together and show support for Solid.”

Participating cat owners from the Fernwood and North Park areas were invited to enter their pets into the contest by submitting a small entry fee, along with photos and biographies. A total of 25 cats entered the competition, which officially kicked off on September 25, 2023, when community voting began. Each vote cost $1, allowing residents to support their favourite feline companions. The voting period concluded on October 25, and the winners were announced on October 26 at Fernwood Square.

Despite the rainy weather, a small crowd gathered to celebrate the event and witness the announcement of the winners. The title of “cutest cat” went to Juno, a notably round tabby, while Penelope, a petite black cat described as “a little lump of coal,” took second place. The third spot was claimed by Fran, a chicken-loving “diva” known for her playful antics.

Fields expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming response to the fundraiser, noting that the total raised far surpassed her initial goal of $500. “I wanted to keep the goal to myself,” she stated. “I was hoping to get four cats participating, but we ended up with so many.”

The success of the fundraiser has inspired Fields to make this event an annual tradition, with calendars featuring the winning cats expected to be available before the end of November 2023. She emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, “It’s a pretty good chunk of money, but it’s also a reflection of contributions from so many people. It’s symbolic of our support as a community, which is what I wanted it to be.”

For updates on the availability of the calendars, interested individuals can visit the fundraiser’s Instagram page at instagram.com/cutestcatfernwood. This innovative approach to fundraising not only highlights the joy that pets bring to their owners but also underscores the power of community action in supporting vital services.