Local organizations shed light on National Feral Cats Day
CHENANGO COUNTY – October 16 has been deemed “National Feral Cats Day,” a day which hopes to bring to light an issue apparent not only nationwide but also in Chenango County. A feral cat day fundraiser is being held throughout the entire month of October.
Said Dona Olsen, director of Little Mews Rescue, “It is to raise awareness about feral cats, promote trap-neuter-return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them.”
Little Mews Rescue, an all volunteer nonprofit organization is a no kill rescue here in the county. While it does not currently have an adoption facility, efforts are in the works to raise money to purchase a building. The cats associated with the rescue are presently being raised in foster homes, said Olsen.
The rescue has partnered with All Animals Matter, another area volunteer organization started by Dianne Troxell who has helped hundreds of families have their pets spayed or neutered.
“We can help trap the ferals, have them spayed or neutered, then return them to the colony,” read a statement from the All Animals Matter website.
The two organizations have been working with Chenango County residents to assist with the number of feral cats in the community.
It is hoped that the fundraiser will bring in enough food to help feed the feral cats in the area. The monetary donations will be used to help to pay for the spay/neuter surgeries.
“We’ll be collecting food and supplies to help feed and care for feral cats through the cold winter months,” reads the Alley Cat Allies fundraiser page.
“There are feral cat colonies in every village, town, as well as in the City of Norwich,” added Olsen.
Olsen went on to state that many local residents don’t mind caring for and feeding the feral cats year round. There is growing concern, however, regarding the large number of new kittens born each year.
“To try to keep the cat colony population to a minimum, members of Little Mews Rescue and All Animals Matter go to where the colony of cats is living and assess the situation,” said Olsen. “Then with the permission of the caregivers, we trap the cats in a humane live trap, transport the cats to the veterinary clinic where they will be checked by a vet, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated.”
According to Olsen, after the cats recover from the surgery and treatment received, they are returned to the colony where they were living and are released.
All Animals Matter provides financial assistance for the spay/neuter surgeries, and monies are raised through fundraisers such as the mum sale held during the summer. Generous donations from local residents also provide a great deal of assistance to the effort, said Olsen.
According to Troxell, in 2013 more than 80 feral cats in Chenango County have been assisted by the trap-neuter-release program. Additionally, All Animals Matter was awarded a grant by the ASPCA for $5,000, which were enough funds to spay and neuter 51 area feral cats.
“If we find very young kittens, they are taken to Little Mews Rescue foster homes and socialized so they can be adopted into family homes,” said Olsen. “Sometimes we are able to successfully relocate some of the adult cats to farms but it’s best that the adults are returned to the home they’ve known all their lives.”
Olsen emphasized how hers is a no-kill organization, and the animals will not be euthanized. She added that killing the cats is no cure for the population problem, if there are many others out there that have not been spayed or neutered.
Food donation drop off locations will be in Norwich, Oxford, New Berlin and various other locations throughout Chenango County during the month of October. If within a reasonable driving distance, Olsen added food or supplies can be picked up.
Food or supplies can be dropped off at the following area locations: Parker’s Primitives, 44 Green Street, New Berlin; Oxford Grooming, 8 Lafayette Square, Oxford; Leading EDGE classroom at the Eaton Center, Norwich; and English’s Riverside Boarding, 109 English Lane, Greene.
Olsen added volunteers are also needed to help out with collection and distribution.
For further information contact Dona Olsen at 843-4040 or visit littlemews.org. More information about this month’s fundraiser can be found at nationalferalcatday.org/events/feed-a-feral-food-drive-and-fundraiser/.
Said Dona Olsen, director of Little Mews Rescue, “It is to raise awareness about feral cats, promote trap-neuter-return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them.”
Little Mews Rescue, an all volunteer nonprofit organization is a no kill rescue here in the county. While it does not currently have an adoption facility, efforts are in the works to raise money to purchase a building. The cats associated with the rescue are presently being raised in foster homes, said Olsen.
The rescue has partnered with All Animals Matter, another area volunteer organization started by Dianne Troxell who has helped hundreds of families have their pets spayed or neutered.
“We can help trap the ferals, have them spayed or neutered, then return them to the colony,” read a statement from the All Animals Matter website.
The two organizations have been working with Chenango County residents to assist with the number of feral cats in the community.
It is hoped that the fundraiser will bring in enough food to help feed the feral cats in the area. The monetary donations will be used to help to pay for the spay/neuter surgeries.
“We’ll be collecting food and supplies to help feed and care for feral cats through the cold winter months,” reads the Alley Cat Allies fundraiser page.
“There are feral cat colonies in every village, town, as well as in the City of Norwich,” added Olsen.
Olsen went on to state that many local residents don’t mind caring for and feeding the feral cats year round. There is growing concern, however, regarding the large number of new kittens born each year.
“To try to keep the cat colony population to a minimum, members of Little Mews Rescue and All Animals Matter go to where the colony of cats is living and assess the situation,” said Olsen. “Then with the permission of the caregivers, we trap the cats in a humane live trap, transport the cats to the veterinary clinic where they will be checked by a vet, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated.”
According to Olsen, after the cats recover from the surgery and treatment received, they are returned to the colony where they were living and are released.
All Animals Matter provides financial assistance for the spay/neuter surgeries, and monies are raised through fundraisers such as the mum sale held during the summer. Generous donations from local residents also provide a great deal of assistance to the effort, said Olsen.
According to Troxell, in 2013 more than 80 feral cats in Chenango County have been assisted by the trap-neuter-release program. Additionally, All Animals Matter was awarded a grant by the ASPCA for $5,000, which were enough funds to spay and neuter 51 area feral cats.
“If we find very young kittens, they are taken to Little Mews Rescue foster homes and socialized so they can be adopted into family homes,” said Olsen. “Sometimes we are able to successfully relocate some of the adult cats to farms but it’s best that the adults are returned to the home they’ve known all their lives.”
Olsen emphasized how hers is a no-kill organization, and the animals will not be euthanized. She added that killing the cats is no cure for the population problem, if there are many others out there that have not been spayed or neutered.
Food donation drop off locations will be in Norwich, Oxford, New Berlin and various other locations throughout Chenango County during the month of October. If within a reasonable driving distance, Olsen added food or supplies can be picked up.
Food or supplies can be dropped off at the following area locations: Parker’s Primitives, 44 Green Street, New Berlin; Oxford Grooming, 8 Lafayette Square, Oxford; Leading EDGE classroom at the Eaton Center, Norwich; and English’s Riverside Boarding, 109 English Lane, Greene.
Olsen added volunteers are also needed to help out with collection and distribution.
For further information contact Dona Olsen at 843-4040 or visit littlemews.org. More information about this month’s fundraiser can be found at nationalferalcatday.org/events/feed-a-feral-food-drive-and-fundraiser/.
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