n long-term care residents craft handmade catnip toys for beloved

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Shaunavon Standard

A heartwarming community project is underway in Shaunavon, where long-term care residents have teamed up to support a beloved feline friend named Salem.

The residents have launched a unique fundraising initiative titled “Raising Funds for Salem’s Care.”

To support the ongoing health of the nine-year-old black cat, residents are harvesting, dehydrating, and packaging locally grown catnip to sell to pet owners in the community.

“It’s turned into a great project for everyone,” said Pam Bahnuick, the long-term care worker and volunteer who helped launch the initiative.

“They’ve had a lot of fun with this and have really gotten behind the effort. They want to do everything they can to help Salem and have been thrilled with how things have turned out.”

Bahnuick notes that the process is entirely hands-on. After harvesting the fresh catnip, residents carefully dehydrate the herb to ensure its natural goodness and aroma are fully preserved. They then assemble the final products, crafting handmade sachets and interactive “kicker toys”

densely stuffed with the fragrant plant.

Bahnuick grew the catnip in her home garden and enjoyed a bumper crop.

In fact, enough catnip was grown that filled a 70 litre tub after it was mulched down and dehydrated.

Advertised as “naturally fun, locally grown, and made with love,” the catnip treats offer a great way for area residents to pamper their own pets while giving back. Organizers emphasize that 100% of the proceeds go directly toward Salem’s veterinary care and daily wellness needs.

Currently, Salem faces a specific healthcare need that will cost about $1,000. Those involved are hoping the catnip project will cover a significant portion of that bill. The fund received an early boost when a generous Shaunavon citizen donated $100 to the cause.

To boost sales, residents set up a table at the Market at the Museum at the Grand Coteau Centre on Saturday, August 22, and are already looking at future markets. The response at the inaugural event was overwhelmingly positive.

People who have purchased the catnip toys have also been sending pictures to the long-term care centre and the residents have been thrilled to see what their work has produced.