Animal Welfare Professionals

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful. 

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful. 

Hi Marissa,
Your post rings so true! I previously TNR'd in a different state for my uncle's neighborhood and it was so rewarding. I'm in a new neighborhood now and have my first feral. I called my vet first to ask about TNR and they said they could only scan them for a chip but that they had to go to the county for a five day hold in case they had an owner. I thought the absence of a chip and that they appear feral would indicate no owner. I then called the county and they confirmed what the vet said with the exception for if they are feral. All I want to do is make sure they are fixed and up to date on shots. It should not be this confusing to help these kitties! Best of luck with yours:)

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful. 

Hi Marissa,
Your post rings so true! I previously TNR'd in a different state for my uncle's neighborhood and it was so rewarding. I'm in a new neighborhood now and have my first feral. I called my vet first to ask about TNR and they said they could only scan them for a chip but that they had to go to the county for a five day hold in case they had an owner. I thought the absence of a chip and that they appear feral would indicate no owner. I then called the county and they confirmed what the vet said with the exception for if they are feral. All I want to do is make sure they are fixed and up to date on shots. It should not be this confusing to help these kitties! Best of luck with yours:)

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful. 

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful. 

Marissa Reed - Yes!! This is so true - an army of people work hard, and sacrifice personal time and funds to take care of community cats.  They work in the shadows, often facing resistance from community members and local business owners.  I have recently begun helping a couple of women in my community - both in their late 70s.  I learned that there is an underground network of feeders - they face the most backlash and some have been outright prohibited from feeding on-site by their employers.  These people work hard and deal with a steady level of heartbreak - they are saints.  I would love to do a study about them. It could contribute to developing a community public relations protocol.  If anyone is aware of any studies already done on this topic - I'd love to hear about them. 

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful. 

This is an interesting study that might speak to some of your interests!

"State of the Mewnion": Practices of Feral Cat Care and Advocacy Organizations in the United States

Marissa Reed - Yes!! This is so true - an army of people work hard, and sacrifice personal time and funds to take care of community cats.  They work in the shadows, often facing resistance from community members and local business owners.  I have recently begun helping a couple of women in my community - both in their late 70s.  I learned that there is an underground network of feeders - they face the most backlash and some have been outright prohibited from feeding on-site by their employers.  These people work hard and deal with a steady level of heartbreak - they are saints.  I would love to do a study about them. It could contribute to developing a community public relations protocol.  If anyone is aware of any studies already done on this topic - I'd love to hear about them. 

 I wanted to make this post to  vent and to advocate for our community cats and the wonderful volunteers who work tirelessly to care for these cats.  I worked in and managed a low cost spay/neuter clinic for 5 years.  This clinic fixed lots and lots of community/feral cats.  During this time I was able to build working relationships with lots of cat trappers who made it their mission to care for these cats and help control the community cat population.   While I managed this clinic I was able to witness first hand the massive amount of time energy and effort that the volunteers put into these cats and this mission.   

 After leaving that particular job I had very little  interaction with the cat trappers that I would normally see 2-4 times a week.  I built such close relationships with  some of the trappers that we even had each other's phone  numbers.  I recently bought a house and I noticed that there were about 7-9 cats in my community that hang in my yard.   I started to feed these cat and knew that I had to get them fixed. I reached out to the clinic that  I used to work for to request assistance with getting the cats fixed. My request was met with resistance and my effort to ask for help was pointless. I did not want the cats removed I just wanted to get them fixed.   I decided to  reach out to one of my cat trapper friends to ask for assistance. Meow or Never came out and trapped 8 of the 9 cats.  These cats can now live and roam freely. 

Sometimes I feel as if the people who take on the daunting task of managing community cat colonies, feeding colonies, trapping and taking care of baby kittens do not get the credit that they deserve.  Community cat people are special people and I am grateful.