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The Feral Cat Population
Help Reduce the Feral Cat Population
Since moving here in November, I have been trying to figure out a humane way to decrease the feral cat colony that seems to have been included with the purchase of my home. I just recently got in touch with Volunteer Services for Animals, who have agree to work with me and my neighbors toward this goal by providing free FeLk testing, rabies shots, and spaying/neutering services for any cats we can bring them. They will also be ear marked to prevent them being identified as "stray" cats by the Providence Animal Control and subsequently euthanized. It will be a catch-and-release program; they will be returned to live in the neighborhood, providing they can stop reproducing.
As a first major step toward this goal, my beloved Red Sox litter (Tessie, Johnny D, and Papi) are going to be spayed and neutered this Tuesday. To continue in this manner, we need to catch some of the adult cats and this is where the problem lies. We need the use of a Have-A-Heart trap, which cost about $60 apiece to buy. VSA did not have any that they could lone us. I was wondering if anyone, I know landlords often own them, has one that we could borrow or has any suggestions of where we could appeal for a grant or something to help defray the costs? We have the vast majority of the costs covered by VSA, it would be a shame to lose this opportunity to do the right thing for these guys because we can't catch them. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
-Jen
Ps. I'll get some photos on the blog soon of the "kittens".
Posted at September 16, 2005 02:47 PM
Jen, I have two "Have a hart" traps that I can bring. But please stop with the Red Sox names. :>)
Posted by: Uri at September 21, 2005 06:15 PM
That was an interesting article. I agree that too many people feed feral cats and that does support an environment conducive to colonies. The cats become dependent upon the food, and congregate in areas where they are fed, creating perfect breeding grounds. I believe that is what happened on this street. I do not leave food out for any cat who wanders by; I only feed the three kittens when I see them outside and can supervise their meals. I also do not feed them on a regular basis (i.e. daily), only as a supplement to whatever else they find so they don't become overly dependent on me.
To update my situation, two of the three kittens were FeLK tested, given rabies shots, and spayed/neutered yesterday. They were also earmarked to identify them as such. The male, Papi, is back out on the street this morning with a full belly and a couple of good nights of rest. Although not anxious to leave the indoors, he has finally wandered into the neighbor's flower garden to frolic with the butterflies. The female, Johnny Damon, is living in my basement for the next week. She is doing well and seems to be really enjoying the peace and quiet, not to mention steady meals. On the bright side, these two have become so friendly and docile that they may soon have a home.
I have also had several offers of traps, and will start to set them up soon so that I can continue working on the rest of the colony.
Jen
Posted by: Jen at September 21, 2005 02:09 PM
Ban on feeding feral cats on docket at Pawtucket City Hall.
It was in ProJO today and you can access it with this link, if you register with ProJo for free.
http://www.projo.com/blackstone/content/projo_20050920_pcats20.decd496.html
Just copy and paste link into your browser and hit enter.
Posted by: John at September 20, 2005 04:39 PM