RE: FOCA Rescues 35 Cats in Monroe LaSalle; Seeks Donations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DONATE at: https://friendsofcompanionanimals.networkforgood.com/projects/195059-lasalle-cats
The latest Friends of Companion Animals rescue project began when a family member of a homeowner with health issues, including onset of dementia, started hearing kittens crying in the LaSalle home. Thinking it was a litter of kittens they did some exploring to find out it wasn’t just one litter but seven litters ranging from 3 days old to 4 weeks old. In addition, they found the moms and other cats in need of medical attention making the total in need of help 35 felines.
Shelter Director Penny Bly explains, “We’ve done TNR on over 70 cats in the last few months alone. In this case, what began as yet another TNR project turned into something much larger, but we couldn’t turn our backs after what we found. Our hope at this point is the community will help us step up with donations of money for spay/neuter, medications for the sickly cats and supplies like food and litter. Then once everyone is old enough or healthy enough, they’ll make their way to loving, dependable homes so adopters will be needed too.”
According to Bly, TNR means trap, neuter, return. It’s where feral cats are trapped in an area, neutered or spayed and then released back from where they came. FOCA even has a program where if people in their neighborhood want to tackle their problem, they offer tips and training since FOCA can’t be everywhere at once. Fixed cats are often returned since, as a rescue, FOCA isn’t able to keep feral cats. They pose a threat to visitors and the volunteers of the all-volunteer operation. In this latest case, most of the cats in this project are friendly or small enough to be acclimated to humans.
“It’s one of those situations where people will either help or walk away. Once we saw the situation, we knew we had to act. In addition to supplies, we’re in need of fosters who have a spare private room where cats and kittens can crash until they come of age, which is usually around two months. So, we’re asking anyone within 40 minutes of FOCA with a space room to reach out at our website and submit a volunteer application for consideration.”
Director Bly mentions that if readers would like to contribute financially to this project it would be extremely welcome. She states, “FOCA has set up fundraisers on our Facebook page and our Network for Good program that can be found on our website at www.friendsofcompanionanimals.org/donate. Not only do donations help this case but other cases that come to us in the future.”
Bly realizes that she’s extremely proud of her volunteers who worked in challenging conditions to secure these cats and kittens so they could have a better life. She’s also grateful for the help she’s received from all the volunteers who have been contributing their time to this case or even the day-to-day necessities of running a shelter.
“Although it began with the best of intentions, this case is another example of how rapidly cats can reproduce and why feeders need to also spay/neuter newcomers to colonies. If you feed, don’t let ‘em breed is the motto. It’s why we’re trying to start our own local spay/neuter clinic. So if you have family or friends who are caring for animals it’s important to also keep tabs on the situation sooner rather than later for everyone’s sake. People are often surprised how six cats becomes 20 or more in just a matter of months. As many have said before, just spay and neuter – rescues are tired and strapped for space, funds and manpower.”