The Peterborough Examiner

Barns needed to rehome working cats

Non-profit, grassroots organizati­on helping address the homeless feline population

- CAROLINE MCCONNELL CAROLINE MCCONNELL IS A FREELANCE CONTRIBUTO­R TO THE EXAMINER.

Operation Catnip is urgently looking for barns that need working cats.

“We are looking for heated barns where they will be fed and cared for while the people will not mind that the cats are skittish or standoffis­h,” said Emily Murduff, a volunteer with Operation Catnip. “We hope to be able to relocate some cats that currently have nowhere to go or someone to care for them.”

If you interested in having a cat in your barn or need more informatio­n, email opcatptbo@gmail.com or call 705-760-9055.

Operation Catnip is a non-profit, grassroots organizati­on that addresses the homeless cat population in Peterborou­gh. Focused on trap-neuter-return (TNR), its goal is to limit the number of unwanted, unowned cats in the city by trapping, neutering, vaccinatin­g and releasing them back to where they were trapped. Since OC began in April 2013 with a small group of volunteers, they have served over 2,100 cats.

Don’t have a barn, but would like to help? Consider making a monetary donation. Visit operationc­atnip.ca and click on the donate button. If you would like to volunteer, informatio­n can also to found on the website.

Learning in Leisure

The Learning in Leisure spring session continues Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until noon, until April 23. This member-run group meets in the lower-level auditorium of St. Stephen’s Presbyteri­an Church, located at 1140 St. Paul’s St.

Each session has two guest speakers, with a coffee and cookie break between presentati­ons to allow members and guests an opportunit­y to socialize in a friendly atmosphere. March speakers and topics include:

■ March 5: Richard Morgan (Humanitari­an Coalition) and Cathy Mitchel (The Riverview Park and Zoo)

■ March 12: John Arnone (The Beatles in Canada) and Danny Bronson (A Musician’s Journey)

■ March 19: Jane Culbert, Ptbo city co-ordinator (Age Friendly Peterborou­gh) and Det. Insp. Jane Conway, major case manager CIB OPP. (Human Traffickin­g Labour. What it looks like)

■ March 26: Sanj Sukumaran (Our Hearing Health) and Bruce Gravel (Honey and an Assassin)

The cost is $50 for the full session or $7 as an occasional guest. For more informatio­n and a complete list of dates and speakers, visit learningin­leisure.com, or for further details email info@learningin­leisure.com.

Indigenous Women’s Symposium

The Indigenous Women’s Symposium is back. Beneath Ancestral Skies: Indigenous Women’s Symposium on Star Knowledge and Collaborat­ive Storytelli­ng takes place March 22-24 at the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, Enwayaang Building, Trent University. All are welcome, including community members.

The event will include keynote speakers, presentati­ons, workshops, panels and discussion­s that explore the “intricate weaving of Indigenous star knowledge, stories and collaborat­ive knowledge systems.” There will also be sunrise ceremonies, a full moon ceremony and vendor shopping, as well as a screening of the film “Under the Same Stars: Minwaadizi­win.”

Keynote speakers are Dr. Laurie Rousseau-Nepton (Innu astrophysi­cist), and Samantha Doxtator.

The symposium will focus on a variety of themes, including, but not limited to:

Indigenous star knowledge and cosmologie­s

Storytelli­ng as a tool for knowledge preservati­on

The intersecti­on of sky knowledge and Indigenous culture

Intergener­ational knowledge sharing

Collaborat­ion between Indigenous

knowledge systems and western/euro-centric knowledge systems

■ The role of women and gender diversity in safeguardi­ng Indigenous knowledge

■ Two-spirit and LGBTQ+ perspectiv­es on star knowledge and storytelli­ng

This year’s symposium will also feature two portable planetariu­m domes, providing an immersive space for the keynotes, selected presentati­on and workshops and the film screening.

To register, for more informatio­n, and a complete schedule visit indgwomens­symposium.com.

St. Paddy’s pub

Activity Haven, 180 Barnardo Ave., is holding a St. Patrick’s Day pub Thursday, March 14 from 2 until 4 p.m. Entertainm­ent will be provided by Barb Morrison and John Lester (Front Porch Tunes). There will be a potato bar and drinks for purchase. Call the office at 705-8761670 to register.

 ?? EMILY MURDUFF PHOTO ?? Operation Catnip is urgently looking for barns that need working cats. Shown here is one of the cats that the organizati­on has helped in the past that lives outdoors and continues to be cared for.
EMILY MURDUFF PHOTO Operation Catnip is urgently looking for barns that need working cats. Shown here is one of the cats that the organizati­on has helped in the past that lives outdoors and continues to be cared for.
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