Lora Lee 
My life is crazy busy with many irons in the fire. So, when a student approached me a few months ago about wanting to start a Cat Club, I was interested, yet hesitant. I really don’t have any room on my plate to add something else into the mix. However, I was interested to see what she had in mind for this club. Turns out, it wasn’t just a club where students would meet to hang and show pictures of their cats (which would actually be ok), but a club where students would learn about TNR and help with trapping and raise funds for rescues in need. Well, it turns out that I did have room on my plate and so The Stray Cat Club was created.
A Never-ending Problem
There is a major problem in the outdoor cat community with overpopulation. This problem is 100% contributed to humans. We cannot expect cats to not do what nature intended them to do. Cats will not practice abstinence or use birth control. So, we, as humans, need to be the ones to take control of this situation. We need to work together to be a part of the solution, instead of the problem.
There are more resources available since I first discovered TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) over 5 years ago. That was when a stray cat showed up at my door pregnant. She was semi-feral and I had no idea how I was going to get her to the vet. Unfortunately, she had kittens, who were very feral, and the two females each had a litter before I learned about TNR and FCAP (Feral Cat Assistance Program), a local low cost spay/neuter program. Those two females each had another litter before I was able to get all of them trapped and through the program.
What both amazes and saddens me is that in the 5 years that I have been actively volunteering with FCAP the numbers of cats that comes through our clinic each month is not getting smaller. How is that possible? Each month, we have on average 60 some cats. Some months it is a little less. Some months it is a lot more. It doesn’t seem like we are making a dent in the overpopulation situation. Where are all of these cats coming from? Unfortunately, until laws are changed, and people become educated and involved, this situation will never get under control.
Stop the Vicious Cycle
As I said, there are more resources available now to assist with those who need help with community cats. But it is not enough. Flatbush Cats in Flatbush, NY, who I have been following for years now, has an inspiring plan in action. They are in the process of raising money to build a veterinary clinic that will provide affordable health care for pet owners. This will include low cost spay and neuter appointments for local rescues and TNR organizations. Such an amazing concept and one that is so needed. We need more organizations like this, and we need to support those that are already in place.
FCAP is another organization that is trying to do their part to make a dent in the community cats’ overpopulation. They hold monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, low cost spay/neuter clinics. Trap classes are offered for those in the community looking to become a part of the solution. They attend local community meetings trying to be a voice for the voiceless and fight for programs like Barn Cats and Working Cats. However, they are limited in how much they can do. Due to the size and condition of their current facility, they can only do so many cats each month. This causes people to have to be out on a waiting list, which, unfortunately, allows the cats plenty of time to add to the overpopulation. Opposition by people who believe that “it is just a cat” and euthanasia is an easier option are things that need to be changed.
Hopes in Our Future
This is why I made room on my already overflowing plate to sponsor The Stray Cat Club. We need the younger generation to become a part of the solution. Their voices are strong and persistent. As a teacher, I know what these young people can do when they put their mind to it. I am excited to see what they can do with this cause. They have already come up with so many great ideas, like a Cat Food Drive for community cats, Toys for Cats for shelters and rescues. Members of the club will be able to attend trap classes and volunteer at monthly clinics. It is all so very exciting and gives me great hope not only for the future of the community cats but also for the future of humanity as a whole.
“You can do something big, you can do something small, because whatever you do is better than nothing at all.” – Unknown.
