Adopted cat provides solace

Yip Siu Lan sits in a sun lounger in front of her door.

The weekend in Windsor has been warm in recent weeks. A black and white cat under her foot naps peacefully, the black fur seemingly inlaid in the sun. The edges of the fur have a layer of gold.

“I just adopted Chole back two weeks ago, and when I saw it, I thought of Simba,” Lan says.

“That was my happiest time.”

One month ago, 63-year-old Lan’s favourite dog Simba died. Simba had been with her for eight years. Since her husband died four years ago, Simba had become her only source of happiness. Every time the weather is warm, at that time, Lan takes an electric wheelchair and takes Simba to sunbathe by the Detroit River.

“Simba seems to have become a part of my life. Every time I chat with Simba to talk about previous things,” Lan says.

“After losing Simba, I almost collapsed until I saw Chole in the humane society. The moment I stared at it, I seem to be back in the past to see Simba again, I know, Simba is back. So I made a decision immediately, I will take it home.”

Because Lan lives alone in Windsor and does not have many friends, Chole has a heavy task when it comes to Lan’s house. It has become her spiritual reliance, her motivation for life, and with Chole’s company, Lan’s smile has increased significantly recently.

“Chole is a very smart cat. Every time I bask in the sun, it lies beside me obediently,” says Lan.

“Every time I reach out, it immediately runs, and then makes a circle around me to make me happy. With Chole beside me, I think every day is fulfilling and I’m not alone. ”

Katherine Donaldson, corporate policy coordinator for the City of Windsor, says council approved $20,000 for its annual spay and neuter voucher program.

“Each ongoing year council decided to cast the budget to $20,000 and the usage rates in 2016 were about 70 per cent,” says Donaldson.

“It means that there are fewer cats to be adopted, which is a good thing. It’s good for some people to adopt a cat. it’s a good program for the city overall because we do have a bit of a feral cat problem. The filter program allows us to stay and neuter feral cats, which results in less stray animals on the city streets.”

It’s Lan’s hope that everyone pays attention to the city’s feral cats trembling in the cold wind.

“I hope this budget will help these wild cats adopt and let them have a warm home in the cold winter,” Lan says.