‘The generosity of the community is the only reason we exist’: Cat Haven Wet Nose Day fundraiser this weekend

Cat lovers are being called to lend a helping paw this weekend as Cat Haven prepares to welcome more than 1500 people to its annual Wet Nose Day.

The much-loved community event will return to the Shenton Park shelter on Sunday, November 1, raising vital funds to care for the more than 8500 cats and kittens that come through its door every year.

In its 20th year, the family-friendly fundraiser will feature everything from kitten cuddles and face-painting to market stalls, raffles, a silent auction and plenty of sweet treats.

Behind the fun of the day is a serious cause, with WA’s only open-admission cat shelter relying almost entirely on community generosity to keep its doors open.

Cat Haven marketing and fundraising manager Amber Ashford said just 1.6 per cent of the organisation’s funding came from the State Government, despite the shelter spending on average $500 on every cat that enters its doors.

With only about 20 per cent of cats arriving to the Lemnos Street shelter already desexed, Ms Ashford said the cost for providing vet treatment and preparing animals for adoption continued to place significant pressure on the organisation.

A lot of cats rescued from the streets also require emergency surgery, making fundraising events such as Wet Nose Day essential to ensuring it can continue helping cats in need.

“Every cent counts; a lot of them need emergency surgeries from living on the streets, so we always need a pool of money to help whenever we can,” she said.

Ms Ashford said the number of cats coming into the shelter had increased each year over the past six years, apart from the slowdown during COVID when councils were carrying out less cat-trapping.

Despite the growing need of the services, she said the organisation remained committed to being able to help every cat that needs it.

“The generosity of the community is the only reason we exist and are still able to be an open admission shelter to help every cat that needs us,” she said.

Visitors to Wet Nose Day can browse stalls selling plants, pre-loved clothing, books, crafts and bric-a-brac, while also enjoying a sausage sizzle, bake stall and the Tree of Hope.

Cat Haven merchandise will also be available, with all money raised going directly towards the care, treatment and rehoming of cats and kittens.

Ms Ashford encouraged people who could not attend to consider donating supplies, volunteering, fostering or adopting a cat.

“We are always in need of supplies, donating, volunteering and most importantly fostering or adopting a cat. We also have our Christmas market coming up on December 12 at the Leederville Function Centre if they can’t attend Wet Nose Day,” she said.

Wet Nose Day will run between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, November 1, at Cat Haven on 23 Lemnos Street, Shenton Park.

Entry is by gold coin donation.