Members of No Feline Left Behind of McKean County say they are overwhelmed by the recent outpouring of community support that has allowed the nonprofit to continue its mission to care for feral cats and kittens.

As reported in an Aug. 13 article in The Bradford Era, the all-volunteer group feared they may have to shut down due to a lack of funding. But after news of their financial struggles spread, residents, businesses, municipalities and other organizations quickly stepped up.

“We are overwhelmed and extremely humbled by the support of our community,” said Shelly Williams, president of NFLB. “Because of the funds we received, we will be able to spay or neuter 300 more cats this year, which will carry us through to the end of 2025.”

The nonprofit’s work follows a model of trapping, neutering, vaccinating, and returning (TNVR). This process costs $100 per cat. Each animal is fixed, vaccinated against rabies and other diseases, treated for fleas and ticks and given a general health check before being returned to its original location.

Over the past eight years, NFLB has helped more than 4,750 animals, including more than 2,000 cats in the City of Bradford. Volunteers trap 75 animals per month and care for them until they have been taken to the clinic and while they recover.

“In September, we set traps and managed to reach our goal of 75 animals within the first four hours,” said Williams. “That just goes to show how many feral cats still need our help.”

While the community’s recent generosity has stabilized the group’s immediate future, NFLB is already looking ahead. The nonprofit serves 22 municipalities but currently only receives municipal funding from the City of Bradford and Kane Borough. Williams said their goal is to work with other municipalities to secure a line item in annual budgets beginning in 2026.

“Having consistent funding that we can count on year after year would make a world of difference,” she said.

Williams noted the progress is visible in places where trapping has been consistent. In Kane, for example, colonies that once produced 30 to 50 kittens each year had none born this season.

“We are just beginning to get a foothold on maintaining the population,” said Williams. “We don’t want to lose it because it can rebound quickly.”

The organization also has several kittens that will soon be available for adoption. Adoption forms can be found on the No Feline Left Behind Facebook page.

NFLB welcomes volunteers interested in helping with trapping and transportation. Donations can be made by mail to NFLB McKean County, P.O. Box 783 in Bradford, or via PayPal at paypal.me/nflbmckean and Venmo at @nflbmckean.

“This is our passion,” Williams said. “With the community’s continued help, we can keep on making a difference for years to come.”