Have you ever fantasised about revenge against a crappy ex? Plotted payback against a toxic colleague? Or maybe schemed a plan for retribution against a backstabbing frenemy?
Whatever the case, we can all probably think of someone who deserves to have their good name besmirched - or in this case, pooped on. By cats.
For the month of November, Auckland-based cat charity Gutter Kitties will line a litter box with a name of your choosing, all in the name of charity. As Aotearoa heads into the peak of another gruelling kitten season, cat rescue initiatives need all the help they can get to rehome our furry friends - and this fundraiser is just one way to support their work.
For $10 per name - or for the grudge-holders among us, three for $20 - Gutter Kitties will put any name of your choosing in the bottom of a litter box at their shelter, The Paw Pad. To get your petty revenge, all you need to do is donate to Gutter Kitties and include the first name of whoever is on your hit list as a reference.
"We usually rely on Bunnings sausage sizzles, bake sales and generous donations from people and businesses. So it's a bit different, but we thought this would be a cheeky way for people to let off a little steam and also help us make a dent in our massive monthly vet bills as we head into summer, which is the peak of kitten season," Gutter Kitties founder Danielle Dickie said in a statement.
Every month, Gutter Kitties face an average of $26,000 to $35,000 in operating expenses, racking up a bill of more than $144,500 since January 1 in veterinary care alone.
And as Aotearoa heads into the warmer months, the annual kitten boom - which can last from October until autumn - is looming.
"Each year, kitten season is getting longer; it starts earlier and often doesn't stop until June, but the summer months are the hardest," Dickie said.
"It's becoming tougher for rescues like us that rely on public donations and the help of volunteers to manage the massive influx of cats and kittens needing homes. We find homes for hundreds of cats and kittens each year, and 2021 was our biggest year to date with 778 coming through our doors. We don't anticipate this slowing down anytime soon.
"We're hoping that this fundraiser will be out-of-the-box enough to pique people's interest and maybe let off a little harmless steam too."
What you need to know about Gutter Kitties
Gutter Kitties, run by duo Danielle Dickie and Tracey Hammond, is Auckland's largest no-kill cat rescue charity. Established as a Trust in 2012, Dickie and Hammond manage a team of 70 volunteers across the foster home network and Paw Pad shelter.
The Paw Pad is one of New Zealand's only shelters dedicated to rescuing and socialising timid, anxious or unsocialised cats. There are an estimated 60 to 80 cats residing at the shelter at any time; while some felines may stay for a couple of weeks, others will reside there for years.
The volunteer team works to socialise the felines and eventually find them their fur-ever homes.
