Stray cats to get care thanks to late Hamiltonian’s will

$65,000 to be donated annually to local SPCA through Hamilton Community Foundation

George Seliga’s love of cats will live on forevermore through the support he’s provided to help care for local strays.

The pet lover and Hamilton taxi-plate owner wanted to do something that would help animals perpetually.

Through his estate, he ensured $65,000 will go to the Hamilton/ Burlington SPCA each year via the Hamilton Community Foundation. Seliga set up an endowment fund with the foundation so the donation is invested and generates an income, which will go to the HBSPCA annually.

The money will go toward making spaying, neutering and overall caring for cats more accessible to rescue groups and people who might not be able to afford it, said HBSPCA CEO Marion Emo.

“It’s a predictable source of funding that really helps us to be able to plan a growing program,” she said.

Seliga had two cats when he died at age 66, on July 26, 2013.

“He was in the cab business, which can be a pretty rough-andtumble business,” said Keith Augustine, the executor of Seliga’s estate. “The pets sort of brought out the softer side of him.”

Terry Cooke, president and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation, called the gift “very special and remarkable,” noting it’s the biggest pet-focused donation the foundation has ever received.

“This was a person that would not have been a household name, and I suspect was a pretty private individual, but was deeply committed to making a difference forever. We should all be so lucky as to be able to leave a legacy that will endure in an area that we’re deeply committed to.”

The pets sort of brought out the softer side of him.” KEITH AUGUSTINE EXECUTOR