By Carolyn Tallack
A local cat is lending her paw, and a passion for posing, to a local animal welfare group.
CRPAWS (Campbell River Partners for Animal Welfare) is a group of volunteers that rescue, educate, and advocate on behalf of animals, including a feral cat program .
“CRPAWS volunteers spend countless hours fostering and socializing feral cats and kittens with the goal of providing them with a domesticated lifestyle and loving home,” said owner, Linda Wilton, who adopted Miss Sophie Cat from the SPCA when she was a year old.
It was just by chance that Wilton discovered Miss Sophie Cat’s secret passion for posing.
“I put a decorative collar around her neck for a Christmas picture and she liked it,” said Wilton.
Wilton started taking pictures of Miss Sophie Cat in her costumes for others holidays like Halloween. According to Wilton, Miss Sophie likes to pose for pictures and struts around the house in her costumes.
“I swear she thinks she’s human,” lWilton said with a laugh, adding that Miss Sophie Cat likes to wear her pearls. “She’s a unique cat, an ordinary rescue cat with an extra ordinary personality.”
Wilton kept taking pictures, adding costumes to Miss Sophie Cat’s tickle trunk, and posting them on facebook.
“People kept telling me that I really needed to make a calendar,” said Wilton.
So last year, that is exactly what Wilton did.
“It is a great way to give back. The pictures are always about making people smile and embracing the title ‘crazy cat lady’, ” Wilton said.
Last year, Miss Sophie Cat’s calendar was a huge success with $2,600 raised for the CRPAWS group, so Wilton decided to do it again. She hopes to raise at least that amount this year.
“The support the calendar has received so far this year is amazing,” said Wilton.
This year’s calendar, The Power of Meow, is aptly named. Calendars have been sent all over the world including England, Mexico, and the U.S. thanks to Miss Sophie Cat’s friends and followers.
Wilton said the calendars, printed at RH Printing & Graphic Design, are great quality with beautiful bright and colourful images.
“This year we chose abstract shots for a new and different look,” said Wilton, adding that her son, Shawn Wilton, produces all the graphic design work. “Miss Sophia Cat posed el’ natural.”
The calendars are available this weekend at the CRPAWS table on Dec. 16 at the Campbell River Common Mall Indoor Market, and on Dec. 17 at the Maritime Heritage Centre Christmas Craft Fair. They are also available anytime at the Dogwood Pet Mart, Campbell River Veterinary Clinic, Toad In A Tree, or through the Miss Sophie Cat facebook page.