Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 06-27-2023 06:16 PM

    In our small town in South Louisiana, a significant challenge looms large: the increasing cat population. Unfortunately, our community lacks the necessary investment and infrastructure to tackle this issue effectively. As a result, the burden often falls solely on a small group of dedicated volunteers who tirelessly navigate financial, emotional, and physical hurdles. Today, we explore potential solutions and the availability of national groups that can lend a helping hand in spaying/neutering efforts and relocating feral cats to sanctuaries.

    The Current Crisis: Our community's cat population has reached alarming numbers, with limited resources to address the problem adequately. Stray and feral cats continue to multiply, posing risks to their own well-being and straining our community's resources. Unfortunately, the responsibility of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming these cats rests almost entirely on the shoulders of a few compassionate volunteers.

    The Struggles Faced by Volunteers: These selfless volunteers are the backbone of our community, working tirelessly to combat the cat overpopulation crisis. However, the challenges they face are overwhelming. Financial strain from veterinary expenses, food, and supplies, coupled with emotional and physical exhaustion, can take a toll on these dedicated individuals. Despite their unwavering commitment, they need the community's support to ensure their efforts are sustainable.

    Seeking National Support: What national groups and organizations specialize in spaying/neutering programs and feral cat relocation to sanctuaries? Collaborating with these groups can provide a tremendous boost to our local efforts. By leveraging their expertise, resources, and networks, we can implement more comprehensive and lasting solutions.

    The Path Forward: Mobilizing community involvement is the key to tackling the cat population crisis head-on. By partnering with national groups, raising funds, and advocating for policy changes, we can create a collaborative ecosystem that prioritizes the well-being of cats in our town. What programs does your rescue/ organization use to acquire monthly automatic donors? Together, we can lighten the load on our dedicated volunteers, provide better care for these animals, and work towards a future where every cat has a loving home.

    Conclusion: Our small town in South Louisiana is at a critical juncture regarding the cat population crisis. The burden falls on the shoulders of a small group of volunteers who face immense challenges. However, by seeking support from national groups, mobilizing community investment, and advocating for change, we can make a positive impact. Our group wants to work together to create a compassionate environment that ensures the well-being of our feline friends and paves the way for a brighter future.

    I value your input and would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter. Any information or insights you can provide would be immensely helpful in furthering our efforts. I am eager to consider any suggestions or knowledge you may have to offer. Thank you in advance for your support!


    #CommunityCatManagement

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    Leslie Veret
    Rescue Secretary
    Advocate and Rescue Companion Animals
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  • 2.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 06-28-2023 07:39 PM

    Hi Leslie, we are facing the same issues here in my small town in Central California. I haven't tapped into any resources yet, but I do know of two national groups you might contact as well: Alley Cat Allies and Community Cats Podcast. 

    https://www.alleycat.org/

    https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/

    Good luck, thank you for posting this, and I look forward to hearing what others have to say.



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    Sincerely,
    Johanna Spielman
    Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
    https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/
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  • 3.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 06-28-2023 08:38 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing these valuable connections! I will begin looking into them ASAP. 



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    Leslie Veret
    Rescue Secretary
    Advocate and Rescue Companion Animals
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  • 4.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 06-30-2023 03:56 PM

    You're very welcome, I hope you find some great information!



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    Sincerely,
    Johanna Spielman
    Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund
    https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/
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  • 5.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 07-01-2023 04:31 AM
      |   view attached

    Stacy here from the community cats podcast.  Feel free to reach out to me directly via my email:  stacy@communitycatspodcast.com I would be happy to chat for an hour with anyone with issues/concerns about how to create a community cat plan in your area.   Helping community cats can be done for sure!  Attached is the story about Newburyport and our success(these type of successes have happened in other parts of the country) I believe we can make this all work.  Please do feel free to reach out to me at anytime. 



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    Stacy LeBaron
    Head Cat
    The Community Cats Podcast
    Warren VT
    978-239-2090
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    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Newburyport Story.pdf   2.14 MB 1 version


  • 6.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 07-03-2023 08:02 AM

    Leslie, I'd love to hear more from you about "What programs does your rescue/ organization use to acquire monthly automatic donors?" Every so often I post on our organizations facebook groups asking for volunteers to sponsor an existing and managed-by-us colony by setting up a monthly delivery of food direct to the colony caretaker.  When I have a taker, I usually assign them to the colony I sponsor and then I move on to a newer unsponsored colony to iron out any wrinkles. I reach out to the caretakers every few months and ask them for a very brief update on the colony and a few images which I then share with the sponsor. 

    Bunny

    Vol. Grant Writer

    Central Virginia Regional Rescue



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    BUNNY GOODJOHN
    Volunteer Grant Writer
    Central Virginia Regional Rescue
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  • 7.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 07-04-2023 09:10 AM

    GCCCP suggest donors "adopt" caregivers too. The donors deliver the food directly to the caregivers. Most choose to send money for food monthly. We deliver food every month to our active caregivers in exchange for informing us of new cats that need our free spay\neutering services.

    Community support IS key, and communication with the community is the way to accomplish that. We send out a newsletter once every 2 months. It goes out on our website mailing list, FB pages and Nextdoor.com. It is filled with pictures, stories, information and donation requests. The stories get added to our website after they are published https://www.gcccproject.com/blog

    It is hard to find the time to write a newsletter but it is really worth it! Our name is getting out there, and donations comin in immediately. Also newsletters  have become a record of our history that would have been lost.



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    Donna Brown
    Garden City Community Cats Project
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  • 8.  RE: Addressing the Struggles of Cat Population: Community Support is Key

    Posted 07-10-2023 02:15 PM

    Same same her in Jackson, Michigan.  In Jackson County we have a total of 8 TNR appointments each week.  TOTAL.  Meanwhile, kittens are being born like crazy!  The city of Jackson has a contract with Jackson County to provide animal control services, so they don't do anything.  The county does not because Michigan law does not require it.  Those 8 appointments are just a nod to the great need, but an ineffective one.



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    Cindy Eby
    Volunteer
    Michigans Urgent Cats
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