Victoria man's estate leaves $518K to animal shelter in honour of beloved cat
A Victoria man has bequeathed more than half a million dollars to a local animal shelter in honour of his beloved cat, according to the Capital Regional District.
The district said Thursday that Francis Gordon Ainsworth left $518,000 to the CRD Animal Shelter upon his death last December.
Ainsworth and his partner of 50 years, Robert Alvin Carter, donated annually to the shelter in the name their pet cat, Whiskey, the CRD said.
Carter died in 2018, according to an obituary for Ainsworth in the Times-Colonist newspaper.
Following Carter’s death, “Whiskey the Cat provided unconditional love and companionship during this difficult time,” the obituary noted.
“Mr. Ainsworth and Mr. Carter learned about the work of the CRD at a community outreach event where the animal shelter was promoting its work,” the regional district said in a statement Thursday.
“Inspired by staff’s passion for animal welfare, they became annual donors and were pleased to be able to assist with providing new beds for dogs, hide and perch boxes for the cats, and to help fund the care of extreme medical cases,” the CRD said.
The animal shelter at 5401 Pat Bay Highway offers a temporary home for injured and strayed pets and livestock.
The shelter has also provided emergency medical care to more than 400 animals over the past four years, at a cost of approximately $150,000 over the past four years, according to the regional district.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.