Today is National Feral Cat Day started by Alley Cat Allies.
The rescue we work with started out doing TNR as their main goal....and while they do adoptions and rescues, their main purpose is still very much TNR. From helping those that request help to going into neighborhoods (they are working in a trailer park right now) to help out, there are many trappers and colony care takers in this group. One couple takes care of two colonys and feeds about 100 pounds of food per month. All of the cats are fixed and vaccinated - and they can track new cats and make sure they see if any of the current colony needs medical care. The rescue helps with their expenses as much as possible, but they cover a lot themselves as well. It is an act of love..... If you go to the rescue's facebook page, you can even vote for your favorite feral cat house as part of a contest they are having. :)
Of course, for us, this is personal..... our baby Bug was found as a tiny kitten born to a feral mom and abandoned - but raised as a bottle baby and then adopted.
In our neighborhood, mom and the neighbor lady (on their own) TNR'd 6 adults and trapped an additional 5 kittens (the memorial kittens) after Junior and Bug.
And of course, there is our Allie girl that gave us the alcohol kittens and after being spayed, ear tipped and released, lives in our garage.
So, how can you help? Support a local TNR group....either with your time or donations. Honestly, there is a great satisfaction to putting out a trap and coming back to find a cat in it and helping to stop overpopulation (mom still does her happy dance when it happens). Can't do that? Consider donating money or old towels/sheets (to cover traps), food or even live traps (check your local farm stores - you can find them on sale sometimes). Any little bit helps. And contact your local humane agency and let them know that your support TNR - not trap and kill (which a lot of communities are still doing). And for fun, you can follow the Spartanburg Animal Services in South Carolina on facebook....they are being a great example of animal control being feral friendly!!!
The rescue we work with started out doing TNR as their main goal....and while they do adoptions and rescues, their main purpose is still very much TNR. From helping those that request help to going into neighborhoods (they are working in a trailer park right now) to help out, there are many trappers and colony care takers in this group. One couple takes care of two colonys and feeds about 100 pounds of food per month. All of the cats are fixed and vaccinated - and they can track new cats and make sure they see if any of the current colony needs medical care. The rescue helps with their expenses as much as possible, but they cover a lot themselves as well. It is an act of love..... If you go to the rescue's facebook page, you can even vote for your favorite feral cat house as part of a contest they are having. :)
Of course, for us, this is personal..... our baby Bug was found as a tiny kitten born to a feral mom and abandoned - but raised as a bottle baby and then adopted.
Of course, the great Junior was trapped later that summer and now lives with us.
Junior checking out the tiny kid in baby jail
In our neighborhood, mom and the neighbor lady (on their own) TNR'd 6 adults and trapped an additional 5 kittens (the memorial kittens) after Junior and Bug.
Grace and Audrey
Jimmy Stewart
Annie (or Oakley) either the kittens mom or aunt
Blackie (not the daddy but a big boy hanging around with his girls)
And of course, there is our Allie girl that gave us the alcohol kittens and after being spayed, ear tipped and released, lives in our garage.
So, how can you help? Support a local TNR group....either with your time or donations. Honestly, there is a great satisfaction to putting out a trap and coming back to find a cat in it and helping to stop overpopulation (mom still does her happy dance when it happens). Can't do that? Consider donating money or old towels/sheets (to cover traps), food or even live traps (check your local farm stores - you can find them on sale sometimes). Any little bit helps. And contact your local humane agency and let them know that your support TNR - not trap and kill (which a lot of communities are still doing). And for fun, you can follow the Spartanburg Animal Services in South Carolina on facebook....they are being a great example of animal control being feral friendly!!!
Great post about the feral cats. It is so important to get the word out to people to feed the feral cats. Many people think that it is dangerous to feed them. This is great to have this day for the Ferals. Take care.
ReplyDeleteTNRing is SUCH a vital part of cat rescue work. Toronto has an excellent network and so many incredible individuals involved. So fantastic that you have the same going on in your neck of the woods!
ReplyDeletelove TNR! Thanks for all the great work you do to help the feral cats in your community! You are making a big difference in the lives of the community cats. Happy Feral Day!!!
ReplyDeleteso are you!!!
DeleteI did this in NJ before it became what it is today. My husband claims I built the vet's new building because it was before the internet and all of the organization there is now. We lived in a wildlife preserve and people dumped cats and there was a feral population to begin with. OY! It was me, my mother and two other ladies. And a vet who really didn't want to cut us a break on his prices but he was the only game in town at the time.
ReplyDeletethank you for doing that!!! it has come a long ways...and that is good to remember when we can get overwhelmed by how far we have to go :)
DeleteI love you humans who walk your talk! Great post!
ReplyDeleteOh I didn't know it was National Feral Cat day! My sweet baby Leo was born feral to a still feral mom (who Chrystal TNRed) so I have a soft spot in my heart for the ferals!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, friends. TNR and feral cat care programs are so critical to helping end cat overpopulation. Thank you for sharing this very important message!
ReplyDeleteMommy does TNR on her own. She doesn't tell too many people because she worries people will dump cats / kittens at the gate...All of us (except for Coco and Felix who were born here) were formerly outdoor kitties who made our way indoors. :)
ReplyDeletethat is a legitimate fear...we certainly understand
DeleteWow, such a wonderful post you have done for National Feral Cat Day! Bless you for all the help, love and care you have given feral kitties. We loved seeing all your pictures, it really warmed our hearts. Thank you for taking such good care of kitties.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and touching post about feral kitties. Junior seems very happy to have found you!
ReplyDeletea grate post bout ferals guys N happee for thoze who haz finded ther for evers home
ReplyDeleteXOXOX
We believe so strongly in TNR and we hope someday this is embraced as strongly by everyone as it has been by you!!
ReplyDeleteWe celebrated this important day by donating food and blankets to Fat Katz, our favorite local advocate for TNR. Great post, we all must keep spreading the word.
ReplyDeletethis is a wonderful post. i'll check on local agencies in our area. i really want to get involved in something like this.
ReplyDeleteEmma and Buster
Our mom loves working with the TNR/rescue group with which she has become affiliated after adopting three of us from them. She doesn't do any of the trapping but anything else they need and want she does. She started just making money donations and then huge bags of food and now does all kinds of other things. It makes her feel good. And we are so glad she is helping other kitties who don't have the great lives we have. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
ReplyDelete