FirstMate Sponsors VOKRA's 14th Annual Walk for the Kitties Fundraiser!
VOKRA is excited to announce and welcome back FirstMate as a sponsor for our 14th annual Walk for the Kitties event on June 4, 2023! As a volunteer-driven non-profit, we rely on Walk for the Kitties to raise much-needed funds to help us rescue more than 1,400 cats and kittens each year.
We are thrilled to have the support of FirstMate Pet Foods again this year.
FirstMate is a Canadian, family-owned company of pet parents who believe in providing high-quality food to improve and extend the life of our pets. Mike Florian founded the company in 1989 to develop diets formulated for quality, health and safety.
Mike has been working with VOKRA for years, working closely with Karen Duncan, VOKRA’s Director at Large, since 2014. The two met at a consumer event and began talking about the extraordinary work VOKRA does and the need for quality food.
“Karen and the VOKRA team were a valuable resource in the product development phase at FirstMate,” says Mike. “It is important to FirstMate to work with organizations like VOKRA toward improving the lives of animals through their care and adoption, as well as educating the community and the next generation of pet parents. Through this partnership, we discovered an opportunity to ensure excess product was donated to a great organization and enhance the lives of our pets and animals in need. VOKRA and FirstMate have supported one another ever since.”
A CHARMING HISTORY
When First Mate purchased the land and buildings to accommodate a new kibble manufacturing facility, the company also purchased a dozen large silos, or bins, to hold raw materials. The containers were 30 feet high, made of steel and wet from the British Columbia rains.
One day, Mike was walking by the empty bins, showing off the premises to his wife, Michele.
Michele heard a noise from above and insisted on checking it out. To their surprise, they found five wet, hungry and crying kittens, eyes still closed. All were squirming and looked to be less than a few days old. The orange one was still, lifeless, with the mouth open and full of wet mud. Michele took them all, including the lifeless one, and placed them in a cardboard box.
FirstMate's Y-shaped kibble is designed to be highly palatable and encourage chewing, helping to ensure your feline friend receives all the nutrients they need. Photo: @dallasandham
They brought them to their vet an hour away, where the staff were excited to see the kittens. After caring for and feeding the litter for a few weeks, all of them were adopted except for the orange one;
the orange one who became part of Mike and Michele’s family.
Binny, named after the cold dark bin from where she was found, was slow to recover and required continuous care. With Mike and Michele’s love, Binny survived and lived a life of love for 17 more years. She became the alpha animal in the household, walking tall and healthy among her great friends, a Blue Heeler and a Brussels Griffon.
The heartwarming story of Binny, the kitten found in one of FirstMate's silos, is a testament to the love and care that both VOKRA and FirstMate have for animals in need. Together, they are enhancing the lives of our pets and animals.
A huge thank you to FirstMate for supporting VOKRA and being the presenting sponsor for this year’s Walk for the Kitties!
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JOIN US FOR VOKRA WALK FOR THE KITTIES 2023 (5K Fun Walk)
Presented by FirstMate
Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 | Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Location: Jericho Beach Park
REGISTER + START FUNDRAISING NOW!
VOKRA is seeking individuals and companies to sign up for their Walk for the Kitties and help them achieve their fundraising goal. Companies can create their own fundraising page, raise money as a team in advance of the event and then have fun together on the day of the walk! Individuals can also create their own fundraising page and raise money from their friends and family.
All donations over $25.00 will receive a charitable tax receipt.