Support the Cameron Family to Replenish Their Loss
Donation protected
My sister’s beautiful family home in Mabou, Cape Breton, which was physically built by her husband, was heartbreakingly destroyed by a tenant this year. The damage is extremely extensive and is going to cost Marcella and Gerard Cameron and their family tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance will not cover the costs due to tenancy policies.
Despite allowing a lower rent on two conditions- that the tenant keep it heated to avoid freezing pipes and to keep it clean- the tenant housed a multitude of feral and unkept domesticated animals (according to the SPCA’s assessment) that turned the entire home into a scratching pad and litter box. The animals covered it with feces and urine, leaving the house in tatters and making it toxic, contaminated, and unlivable. On July 2, the family found their home in a horrific and filthy mess, only enterable with full protective gear and masks. Beyond the atrocious state of the house, there were two feral cats left behind in the house without food or care, and there was one found dead in the yard.
They had to throw away everything, including the furniture, appliances, some cupboards, family photo albums, heirlooms, all recently purchased mattresses, the dishwasher, fridge, stove-top, the deep-freeze, bathroom vanities and fixtures (they were clogged and ruined), kitchen sink and pipes (which were damaged), trims and finishes (because of deep claw and gnawing damage), and the closet shelving as well. The gyprock (drywall) walls along with most of the locally-milled hardwood floors have to be gutted out and replaced. Everything was saturated with putrid urine and piles of feces. The family had to rent a cottage this summer to be available to work on restoring the home.
The Cameron’s continue to work on the house themselves alongside a professional cleaning service that focuses on trauma cleaning.
They are trying to accept the horrible reality and move forward with faith and hope, but need help to start rebuilding what was lost. My sister said, “This is a nightmare I cannot wake up from.”
Please send prayers their way and any generosity to support the restoration is greatly appreciated. My sister and her family have a long road ahead of them to make their family home livable and welcoming again.
Thank you so much,
Marguerite Beaton and Family
(pictured above, Marcella and Gerard with their grandchildren last summer)
Despite allowing a lower rent on two conditions- that the tenant keep it heated to avoid freezing pipes and to keep it clean- the tenant housed a multitude of feral and unkept domesticated animals (according to the SPCA’s assessment) that turned the entire home into a scratching pad and litter box. The animals covered it with feces and urine, leaving the house in tatters and making it toxic, contaminated, and unlivable. On July 2, the family found their home in a horrific and filthy mess, only enterable with full protective gear and masks. Beyond the atrocious state of the house, there were two feral cats left behind in the house without food or care, and there was one found dead in the yard.
They had to throw away everything, including the furniture, appliances, some cupboards, family photo albums, heirlooms, all recently purchased mattresses, the dishwasher, fridge, stove-top, the deep-freeze, bathroom vanities and fixtures (they were clogged and ruined), kitchen sink and pipes (which were damaged), trims and finishes (because of deep claw and gnawing damage), and the closet shelving as well. The gyprock (drywall) walls along with most of the locally-milled hardwood floors have to be gutted out and replaced. Everything was saturated with putrid urine and piles of feces. The family had to rent a cottage this summer to be available to work on restoring the home.
The Cameron’s continue to work on the house themselves alongside a professional cleaning service that focuses on trauma cleaning.
They are trying to accept the horrible reality and move forward with faith and hope, but need help to start rebuilding what was lost. My sister said, “This is a nightmare I cannot wake up from.”
Please send prayers their way and any generosity to support the restoration is greatly appreciated. My sister and her family have a long road ahead of them to make their family home livable and welcoming again.
Thank you so much,
Marguerite Beaton and Family
(pictured above, Marcella and Gerard with their grandchildren last summer)
Organizer
Marguerite Beaton
Organizer
Mabou, NS