Walk for Dino

Dino is one of this year’s six Walk for the Kitties spokeskitties. Here’s his special story.

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Dino and his mom Deanna were living under a woodpile when they were rescued. During an exam the vet discovered the little five-week old had a broken thigh bone that would require surgery. He’d been living with the injury for quite a long time and must have been in a lot of pain.

IMG_2170Because of Dino’s young age, it was originally thought his leg would need to be amputated. But a specialist surgeon was called in and was able to save the leg by putting in a plate to fix his thighbone.

For the first week after surgery Dino was able to scamper around with a cast, but once the cast came off and the leg was wrapped he was confined to bed rest. No running, no jumping, no fun! Dino was a champ though and after another check-up the surgery was considered a success.

It’s now been almost two months after Dino’s surgery and he’s on the road to a full recovered. As you can see in this video, he’s getting around with no problems and his foster mom, VOKRA co-founder Karen, says he’ll soon be ready for adoption.

To date, it’s cost us more than $2,000 to make sure Dino has the best life possible. And he’s just one of the many kittens with special needs we rescue ever year.

Will you be walking for Dino and all the kittens that need a little extra help?

On September 13 VOKRA will be holding it’s 6th Annual Walk for the Kitties. It’s our biggest fundraiser and this year our goal is to raise $50,000.

CHOOSE YOUR KITTY –  Each one of our spokeskitties have a tale to tell and represent different activities we do here at VOKRA. You can read all their stories here and decide which kitty you’d like to walk for.

REGISTER – Click here

GATHER DONATIONS – Ask your friends, family, and others to support you in walking for the kitties. The walk itself is a celebration of the support you’ve been able to gather. Learn more about how to raise funds here.

WALK – Join us at Jericho Beach on September 13. Rain or Shine!

CELEBRATE – Congratulate yourself on doing a good thing. Know that a cat or kitten today is receiving help that could only be supplied through your generosity.

Learn more about Walk for the Kitties here.

2015 AGM set for August 27

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VOKRA will be holding its 2015 Annual General Meeting on August 27, our second since we officially became a society last year. Anyone can attend our AGM, however in order to vote you need to become a society member. Membership is only $10 and is a great way to show your support for VOKRA.

2015 VOKRA AGM
Thursday, August 27
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
VOKRA Operations Centre at 2028 Wall Street, Vancouver
RSVP & BECOME A SOCIETY MEMBER 

At the AGM we will be electing a new board of directors to serve an annual term until August 2016. Board membership is a leadership position within VOKRA that guides the organization to achieve its mission. Directors act in a position of trust for the community and are responsible for the effective governance of our organization.

We’re looking for board members with a desire to dedicate time to the development of VOKRA, and we could especially use people with financial and fundraising skills. Here’s what it takes to be a board member:

  • MEMBERSHIP IN THE VOKRA SOCIETY! You must be a member to be a board member
  • Commitment to the work of the organization
  • Knowledge and skills in one or more areas of board governance: policy, finance, programs, personnel, fundraising and advocacy
  • Willingness to serve on committees and attend committee meetings
  • Attendance at monthly board meetings + preparation time to review materials
  • Attendance at meetings of assigned committees
  • Attendance at Annual General Meetings
  • Attendance at membership meetings
  • Support of special events
  • Support of and participation in fundraising events

Board positions include:

President Emeritus – Provides VOKRA historical perspective to the board members; keeps the board’s activities focused on the organization’s mission and makes sure the board adheres to its bylaws and constitution. Required to attend monthly VOKRA Board meetings, including preparation time to review materials.

Chair – Provides leadership to the board; makes sure the board adheres to its bylaws and constitution; prepares the agenda for board meetings; chairs meetings of the board; keeps the board’s discussion on topic by summarizing issues; keeps the board’s activities focused on the organization’s mission; orients board members to the board; serves as ex officio member of committees and attends their meetings when possible; promotes the organization’s purpose in the community and to the media; prepares a report for the Annual General Meeting; and orients the new board chair. Required to attend monthly VOKRA board meeting, including preparation time to review materials, and attendance at board committee meetings on an ad-hoc basis.

Vice Chair – Acts in the absence of the chairperson; works closely as consultant and advisor to the chairperson; and orients the new vice chair. Required to attend monthly VOKRA board meeting, including preparation time to review materials.

Secretary – Keeps copies of the organization’s bylaws and the board’s policy statements; keeps lists of officers, board members, committees and general membership; notifies board members of meetings; brings official minute book to meetings; keeps record of board attendance; makes sure that there is a quorum at board meetings; keeps accurate minutes of meetings; records all motions and decisions of meetings; keeps copies of minutes of both board and committee meetings; distributes copies of minutes to board members promptly after meetings; files the annual return, amendments to the bylaws and other incorporating documents; makes sure members are notified of general meetings; and in the absence of the chairperson and vice chairperson, chairs board meetings until the election of an alternate chairperson. Required to attend monthly VOKRA board meeting, including preparation time to review materials.

Treasurer – Gives regular reports to the Board on the financial state of the organization; keeps financial reports on file; undertakes special projects to reduce costs; chairs the finance committee; acts as signing officer, with another officer or executive director for cheques and other documents; and orients the new treasurer. Required to attend monthly VOKRA Board meeting, including preparation time to review materials and monthly finance committee meeting to prepare up to date financial statements.

Directors at Large – A director is fully informed on organizational matters and participates in the Board’s deliberations and decisions in matters of policy, finance, programs, personnel and advocacy. They also review the bylaws and policy manual and recommend bylaw changes to the membership; participate in the development of VOKRA’s organizational plan and annual review; and assist in developing and maintaining positive relations among the board, committees, OMT, volunteers and community to enhance VOKRA’s mission. Require to attend monthly VOKRA board meeting, including preparation time to review materials.

If you’ve got what it takes and want to learn more email [email protected]

Get Your Back to School Gift Cards

VOKRA-Back-to-School-smlHelp save kitties just by doing your back to school shopping!

Purchase a gift card through us and the retailer donates to VOKRA – and you still receive full value for your card. Use the gift cards for school supplies, computers, clothing, meals, and more!

Some of the many retailers included in the program are:

Staples
The Bay
London Drugs
Shoppers Drug Mart
Sears
Best Buy
Chapters/Indigo
The Gap, Old Navy & Banana Republic
Sport Chek
Walmart
Winners
+ grocery stores, including Safeway & Save On Foods
and many more!

You can view the full list at vokra.ca/giftcards. To purchase simply email us at [email protected]. Payment and delivery options can be arranged via email. The next order deadline is August 30 so be sure to get your order in before then!

Cool the Kitties at the VOKRA Operations Centre

HELP VOKRA KEEP OUR KITTIES COOL!

Here at the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA), we think cats are the coolest thing going. We need your help to keep them that way!

Our recently expanded Operations Centre lacks air conditioning and, despite the heroic efforts of around-the-clock volunteers armed with ice packs, fans, portable air conditioners and sardine snow-cones, we have not been able to maintain a building temperature that will keep our kitties comfortable and healthy. Your donation today will help us install much-needed central air conditioning.

VOKRA takes in more than 1,800 abandoned and feral cats every year. Our Operations Center houses the most vulnerable cats in our care: cats waiting to be fostered, animals recovering from illness, moms-to-be and kittens. It’s very important they are free from physical and mental stressors, including temperature and humidity changes. Cats can only “sweat” through their paw pads and by panting so their small bodies are easily overwhelmed by heat. They’re just not as efficient at cooling off as humans are.

We’re part way to achieving our goal since a donor has kindly stepped forward and provided us with an industrial air conditioning unit. But unfortunately we lack the funds to install it. Your gift today would go a long way to helping us achieve our goal of cooling the kitties!

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