Happy Days Sanctuary holds fundraiser while facing demolition

A Fort Erie animal sanctuary that lost its main house to a December fire held its first dinner fundraiser Saturday, selling more than 100 tickets at the Fort Erie Conservation Club while continuing to take emergency animal cases while it rebuilds.

Happy Days Sanctuary in Stevensville raised money and public awareness at the event, which featured live music by Sugar Creek and a silent auction of locally donated prizes. The Conservation Club donated its hall for the night and volunteers from both the club and Happy Days staffed the kitchen.

The sanctuary faces demolition of owner Anne Swinson’s fire-damaged house within 10 to 20 days while under a compressed rebuild timeline of one to two months, and an ongoing stream of abandoned and orphaned cats that has not slowed since the fire.

“What do I know about building a house? Most people, if they’re going to build a house, take a year to plan it–I’ve got a month or two months,” said Swinson.

The house destroyed in the December fire was Swinson’s personal residence and served as the sanctuary’s main cat space for disabled animals and those being socialized. The fire killed 31 cats. Surviving animals were moved into the barn and outbuildings on the Burger Road property.

During the fundraiser dinner, Swinson was at the sanctuary bottle-feeding orphaned kittens found in a Sherkston storage container.

She said other rescues declined to take the kittens because no one had bottle feeders available and euthanasia had been discussed before Happy Days accepted them.

That same morning, Swinson took in cats that had been left outside after their owners moved.

“They’ve been out there for years,” said Swinson.  “The cats stay around the house and all the neighbours talk about doing something, but no one knows where to go or what to do with them.”

She said the cats arrived friendly but had begun behaving like ferals, making placement difficult. The sanctuary plans to re-socialize them before seeking adoptions.

The silent auction drew prizes from local businesses including Shaggy’s Pizza and Eats and Jazzy Scoops in Stevensville.

“I cannot believe the community that came together and got the prizes,” she said.

Swinson confirmed Happy Days plans to hold the dinner again, though details may change.

Happy Days Sanctuary is actively seeking volunteers. Swinson said shifts can range from one morning a week to occasional visits, depending on availability.

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