With the temperature dropping into the negative digits lately, it’s a good time to remind everyone of how dangerous these conditions can be for stray cats.
There are over 50 million feral cats spread across the United States, and projections show that number increasing every year. Many organizations such as the SPCA do everything they can to take care and take in stray cats but can often find themselves at capacity, leaving them unable to extend their services to other strays in need.
Recently, there’s been a growing volunteer movement to work in conjunction with the SPCA to help with the stray cat population.
No Feline Left Behind is a national volunteer initiative that has recently made its way to McKean County. The organization was made with the goal to work with individuals, local governments and other volunteers to achieve population decline of the unaltered, free-roaming, feral and/or abandoned domestic cats in the local area.
Donna Douglas, Lori Burkhouse and Rhonda Gray are all members of No Feline Left Behind, and are paving the way for other volunteers to get involved and help as many cats as they can.
“A lot of people try and help by themselves when they see strays near their homes,” Douglas said. “Many times, they contact the SPCA, which is the right decision. But understandably, they can be overpopulated with cats, leaving a person without other ideas.”
And that’s where No Feline Left Behind comes in.
“We’re here to extend an extra arm to local organizations like the SPCA, and help as many strays as we can,” Burkhouse said.
No Feline left Behind works in two ways depending on whether the cat is feral or not. If the cat is approachable, Gray said the cats are humanely trapped and are spayed/neutered to help prevent future litters. They are also treated for rabies. Afterwards, they are shown affection over time to help adjust them into the adoption process.
In the case of feral cats, they are also humanely trapped, spayed/neutered and vaccinated, but they aren’t groomed for adoption.
Gray explained that these kinds of cats are “true wild animals” and as much as a person would like to bring them into their home, it can make matters worse.
“These kinds of cats are happiest in the territory they’ve established, so it’s not wise to try and change that,” Gray said. “It’s best to do what we can for them and place them back into their environment.”
Instead of finding these kinds cats a home, No Feline left Behind brings a home to them.
“The last step for these critters is to make them shelters,” Gray said.
She explained that the shelters are made from a number of household items and can be made quickly by anyone. If anyone would like to donate supplies to No Feline Left Behind, Gray listed some of the supplies that can help:
2-inch foil-faced foam board
Plastic sheeting or contractor bags
Rolls of heavy tape
Rubbermaid totes that are 24 gallons or more
Styrofoam coolers
Straw
6-inch PVC pipe
Foil faced tape
Sterlite or Hefty totes
Medical supplies
Anyone looking to donate can visit the group’s Facebook page by searching “No Feline Left Behind in McKean County,” or drop off supplies during one of its upcoming scheduled events. The next event will be the Soup’s On Benefit from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Eldred First Church of God in Eldred. The $5 participation fee includes soup, crackers, italian bread, desserts and beverages. All proceeds go to helping stray and feral felines.
