View Magazine, by Ric Taylor
Back in 2002, four area singer/songwriters came together as an extraordinary super group dubbed the Ladybird Sideshow but after a couple of years and one CD, Live at the Orange Lounge, one bird (Erin Smith) flew the coop and the remaining pursued their individual musical muses. Their friendship however, remained strong and a love for animals galvanized their bond. It was their mutual love for animals that compelled these musicians to continue the name but with an institution that could make a difference.
“I’ve been doing animal rescue on my own in a small–scale way for some time,” recalls Lisa Winn. “Working in animal shelters since high school, I’ve seen firsthand the disturbing results of the pet overpopulation problem. In Hamilton alone, an average of 3,000 healthy, adoptable cats are put to death every year. This is wrong on so many levels. The system is clearly broken, and the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary was formed to help try to lower those numbers – even if by just a few.”
“We’d been throwing the idea around for a couple years,” notes Melissa
McClelland. “It seemed like a big undertaking, well, because it is – but at one point we decided we either needed to stop talking about it or actually make it happen.”
While all three primaries continue to perform (McClelland with Luke Doucet as Whitehorse, Winn with a variety of area performers and Toronto’s Janine Stoll with her band the Donefors), the Ladybird Sanctuary allows the trio to help rescue animals that will be potentially euthanized and find adoptive foster homes with a network of volunteers until a permanent home can be found. This month the Ladybird Sanctuary celebrates a year of
work that, so far, has given 40 helpless and hopeless creatures a new life.
“Animal shelters are bursting at the seams with unwanted animals,” reasons Winn. “Pets are considered disposable and Humane Societies and SPCAs can only do so much. Rescuing 40 animals from certain death in our first year is a good start. We’re proud of that number, and we know it will increase it every year as we grow.
“Unfortunately, the system in place does not protect these animals and the only solution thus far has been mass euthanasia,” adds Winn. “We want to step in and not only save as many animals as possible, but change the system through educating the public on the importance of spaying and neutering and responsible pet ownership.”
A concert – to raise awareness for the cause and funds to further save more animals and potentially create a physical housing for the Sanctuary – happens this week with the singers enlisting a host of friends to help them help our furry friends.
“Our aim is to host a night featuring some great music and to promote a cause that will hopefully inspire people into action, but really, by just attending this concert you will help save an animal from an uncertain future,” says Winn. “Donations to the Ladybird Animal Sanctuary go directly to the animals in our care. Food, supplies, medication and vet care. We are asking for a pay what you can donation at the door. We are suggesting a $20 donation and every penny of this will go towards helping animals. We understand this may be too steep for some people, so whatever you can afford to give is much appreciated. Every little bit helps.
“This will be a fun night and a night to celebrate our first year in existence – the successes we’ve had and the lives that we’ve saved,” adds Winn. “We’re also excitedly looking ahead, we know the momentum is just starting to pick up and there’s no stopping it. We want this night to be about great music and friends coming to together to make a difference in our community. Hang out with the Ladybirds and find out what we’re all about, everyone is invited to this party.”
The Ladybird Animal Sanctuary Benefit happens this Friday December 9 at This Ain’t Hollywood with Whitehorse, the Donefors, Emma-Lee, Buckshot Bebee, and Tiny Bill Cody. Click on www.ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com
