Lora Lee 
Every month, I volunteer at Feral Cats Assistance Program for their monthly spay/neuter clinic. And every month, I will always feel the need to write an article about the dire need for and importance of TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return). It is a topic near and dear to my heart. I have seen, firsthand, how 1 female cat can turn into 22 cats in just over a year. Rescues are full. Shelters are overrun. Because of that, euthanasia is a sad reality for a lot of stray and feral cats. But there are people out there trying to make a difference, a necessary change. From the colony caregivers to those who trap to the vets and volunteers who give up a weekend each month to save and improve the lives of as many cats as possible. It takes a village.
Why are there STILL so many cats?
Once again, I have seen, firsthand, what 1 female cat can do in a very short period of time. However, I have been volunteering with FCAP for almost 4 years. FCAP has been doing monthly clinics for almost 25 years. Today, we had 80 cats come through our clinic. In the almost 48 months that I have been volunteering, we have never had less than 50-60 cats. Most months it is 70-90 cats. If we do the math, 48 months at just 50 cats each month is 2,500 cats. That is both equally mind-blowing and saddening at the same time.
Why are there still so many cats? At what point will we start to see the light at the end of tunnel? We all know that cats will not practice abstinence, nor will they use birth control. They are only doing what nature has meant them to do. So, it is entirely up to us to get a handle on this situation. We are the ones who need to become part of the solution. There is still too much “old school” thinking in regard to outside cats. The thinking that an outside cat is different from an inside cat in terms of care and compassion. That way of thinking needs to change. We need to change and start to do better.
Be the Change
We can all do something to help. Let me repeat that. We. Can. ALL. Do. Something. To. Help. We are always looking for volunteers each month. There are always more cats that need to be trapped. Rescues and shelters will gladly welcome new foster homes. They will deeply appreciate donations, whether monetary or supplies. There is so much that you can do to help be a part of the solution. However, the biggest thing that you can do is to fix them if you feed them. Please do not be a part of the problem. Remember, it takes a village to create the change that is needed.
“Nothing is going to change, unless someone does something soon.” — Dr. Seuss
