Cacapon TNR

Cacapon TNR Cacapon TNR is a 501c3 organization dedicated to humanely reducing the population of outdoor cats.

Just in case this information was missed in our earlier post, a GoFundMe was created for Elwood, William, and Mikey. The...
01/15/2025

Just in case this information was missed in our earlier post, a GoFundMe was created for Elwood, William, and Mikey. They lost everything in the fire and need to rebuild. You have so generously donated to make sure their cats will be taken care of, and now the guys need help. Any little bit makes a huge difference!

We are processing the donations today and tomorrow (my driveway is blocked!!!) and will be setting up all the shelters and heated water bowls this weekend after trapping is done. We could not do this work without you all, and we are eternally grateful 🙏

Early Friday morning, January 10, a fire in Great Cacapon destroyed the… Sarah Harmison needs your support for Support Elwood, William, and Michael After Fire

Fire Cats Update 1/13 10:25pmWe know everyone has been anxious for an update about the fire colony cats, and after what ...
01/14/2025

Fire Cats Update 1/13 10:25pm

We know everyone has been anxious for an update about the fire colony cats, and after what may have been the longest day in TNR history (for this volunteer, anyway) here is the update and some new photos:
Volunteers have been to the site every morning & evening since Friday trying to get a handle on the situation and trap any injured or sick kitties. We identified 4 that needed our immediate attention. Sunday we were able to trap 2 with burned fur, and a very thin tabby kitten with a severe upper respiratory infection and matted, excoriated backside due to diarrhea (probably from a parasite infection). Trapping those 3 was hard due to the amount of cats, but we were successful. All 3 are safe & warm with full bellies and have been started on antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Shaffer at Augusta Animal Hospital, who assessed them today.
The grey cat in the photo that looks to be the most severely affected by fire and smoke remained elusive, and when volunteers returned to the site this morning he was nowhere to be found. This evening we went back once again to try for him (and also delivered donated bags and cans of cat food to the residents.)
We’re so happy to report that tonight we were victorious! Grey kitty (who still needs a good name) is safe and setup in a kennel with a sherpa blanket and as much food as he will eat. Dr. Shaffer’s staff will continue to help us through this situation as long as necessary and we will continue to provide updates, but all 4 kitties are expected to make a complete recovery!
We want to thank you all, again, for coming together as a community of animal lovers for this colony that had already faced a number of challenges from abandonment to severe food insecurity, and now a fire and near total loss of shelter. Over the next few days we will continue to make deliveries to the colony and volunteers will work with the remaining residents to set up their heated houses, mats and water bowls.
Regarding the residents at the site of the fire:
We have been made aware of a GoFundMe created by a family member. We don’t know a lot about the residents but we do know they are animal lovers who shared everything they had with the cats and their pet dogs, and have struggled for a long time to keep up with their needs even as more showed up and breeding became uncontrollable. We were contacted about a large colony with as many as 100 cats, and have been working with them to coordinate Trap, Neuter, Return, which is still a “Go” and scheduled for this coming weekend. We hope this helps to alleviate further stress on the humans and animals at the colony, and are looking forward to the whole group regaining their health and happiness.
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe set up for the people that lived in the home that burned down, here is the link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-elwood-william-and-michael-after-fire?utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl%3A2f09650a-7a7d-4056-8620-747db3d94420

EMERGENCY HELP NEEDED: Update 1/13 post can be found here-https://www.facebook.com/share/1EbJHSJZ6a/?mibextid=wwXIfrUpda...
01/11/2025

EMERGENCY HELP NEEDED:
Update 1/13 post can be found here-

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EbJHSJZ6a/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Update 1/12 11:30am

Cacapon TNR understands the residents are also in need of immediate resources. We were made aware that all humans and a dog that was inside made it out, but they lost everything. At present, CTNR does not have information regarding the needs of the family or if/how they are collecting donations. If we receive information regarding how donations can be sent to the family, we will share that here. I do believe they have been in contact with the Red Cross, and because this is such a chaotic situation for all involved, it may take some time for all the details to be worked out and come down the line. We are so grateful for the concern and support for the kitties.
We are doing everything we can to handle the feline side of this tragedy. Here is a list of resources that may be of assistance regarding the humans:

Starting Points
starting.points.org
(304) 258-5600

Good Will store
70 Morgan Square
Berkeley Springs
(304) 258-6685

Morgan Co Sheriff's Dept
(304) 258-1067

Update 1/12 10:20am
Regarding the injured cat in the photo- I took that photo Friday evening and immediately tried to contain him, when I went to place food near him he ran up the stairs and disappeared onto their deck, and the caretakers were there and immediately tried to get him as well but he ran into the woods. That evening our founder authorized us to take him to emergency vet as soon as we had him in custody and we have stayed in contact with the residents and volunteers have been out there multiple times. We have a drop trap set up in preparation for the weekend TNR clinic, so today we are going to try to use that to trap him. We are all very concerned about him and any other cats that show back up out of the woods with injuries and will post another update as soon as there is one. We thank you all for your support and concern for this colony that had already been struggling with little food and shelter and now one of their main shelters is totally gone.
We would like to keep the location of the colony private in consideration for the residents that still live there. This is an ongoing crisis and we are a very small TNR nonprofit with just a few volunteers so updates will be provided as possible. ~Susie W. , Cacapon TNR volunteer
_________________________
Something awful has happened at an active cat colony in Great Cacapon. They are scheduled for TNR on 1/19, Cacapon TNR is still going to do that. Volunteers had been taking cat food to the colony to help them survive last Monday’s winter storm. Yesterday we learned one of the homes feeding and housing this big colony burned to the ground. Some cats had been let inside out of the cold, and we don’t yet know how many ran from the chaos, or how many perished. They lost most of the cat food. CTNR volunteer Susie visited with more food from Loree’s house and saw a few cats with singed fur. At least one cat is in really bad shape and needs medical attention, and we are working right now with residents at the colony to contain him and get him to the emergency vet.
This colony needs the community’s help. They need food and safe shelter. If there are any rescues with open spaces/availability to take some of the tamer cats (most of them are VERY tame and accustomed to strangers) please DM us.
We have created an Amazon Wish List, and any $ amount donated on this post will go directly to the care of these cats that are facing devastating loss and trauma. Our mailing address is under the About section if you want to donate but don’t want to use Facebook (or see below 👇 for our physical address)
Anything anyone can do to help is so greatly appreciated. More updates will be provided when possible.

Here is the link to the Wish List- if anyone has issues with shipping the address to get it to volunteers who will get it to the colony is:

9 Trofton Hollow Court, Great Cacapon, WV 25422

https://a.co/0cQbvcB

Added 9:50pm EST:

We are feeling so grateful and humble to our community of supporters, our neighbors, friends, fellow rescuers and selfless volunteers, our caregivers we have helped get their cats TNR’d…
We seriously cannot thank you all enough for the outpouring of support, and we will be sure to continue to post updates and photos of how the food, supplies and donations provide lifesaving support to these babies who have had such rough lives as it is (as well as the small group of folks who have been trying their hardest to keep the cats alive and loved on and fed).
You are all truly the best, we are so proud to be part of such a wonderful community.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Cacapon TNR to all of our families and friends, caregivers, helpers, feeders, an...
12/26/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Cacapon TNR to all of our families and friends, caregivers, helpers, feeders, and amazing volunteers 🥰
Love to all of your fur babies both indoors and outdoors, tame, feral and everything in between.
Hug your loved ones tonight and remember that we are all in this together-one day at a time, working hard to make tomorrow easier for those we love AND those we have yet to meet.
💖🎄🐈🐱🐈‍⬛🎄💖

12/19/2024

It’s almost officially winter and we have already had some blustery freezing days. If you’re like us, you probably stress out worrying about all the animals outside that don’t have adequate shelter. Maybe you wonder how you can make one at home with low cost materials.
We want to remind everyone that though it might seem like old blankets and towels might seem like a good addition to a cat shelter for the winter, those things actually absorb moisture from the cats fur after he has been walking around in the elements and then those wet blankets can freeze solid, causing the cat to be even colder and the shelter is actually less warm than before. The best thing to use is STRAW, which repels moisture away and is cheaper than hay. Hay becomes a wet mess and is prone to mold-it’s best for feed. So remember: Hay for horses, STRAW FOR STRAYS.
Those plastic storage bins/totes can make great shelters. Use a hairdryer to soften the plastic before cutting the opening for the door. You can fill it with straw, and tape that reflective mylar (like they use in sun shades) to the sides. Styrofoam sheets can be great insulation as well (but probably best covered as cats like to scratch it apart). Some families enjoy a “cat shelter making day”! Also, please remember to keep fresh water available at all times. If electricity is available, there are warming water bowls you can buy online. If no electricity, styrofoam or straw can insulate the bowl-just google “How to insulate a water bowl”. There are lots of great ideas out there! What do you do to keep your outside kitties warm in the winter?

Alley Cat Allies has great instructions for cat houses.

https://www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-build-an-outdoor-shelter/

Happy Winter Solstice! Love and warmth to you and all your fur babies for this coming winter!

We had our first ever public fundraiser event on October 26th, and are so proud to report that it was a great success!Ca...
12/11/2024

We had our first ever public fundraiser event on October 26th, and are so proud to report that it was a great success!

Cacapon TNR’s First Annual Spaghetti Dinner raised over $2,000; those funds will be put to immediate use improving the lives of outdoor community cats of Hampshire and Morgan Counties through Trap-Neuter-Return.

We want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our event. Thank you to the American Legion Post 137 in Capon Bridge for allowing us the perfect space. Major thanks to our amazing Sponsors who helped in a variety of ways including selling our tickets, donations of everything from cash to supplies and even their skills, and announcing our event to the public.

Biggest thanks to everyone who donated items to our Silent Auction, making it a grand success with nearly as many items as guests!

Finally, we want to thank everyone who volunteered their precious time & effort to make this event a success. Stephanie Banik, our Fundraising Volunteer, was at the helm of organizing this event from its conception nearly a year ago. Stephanie is the only reason CTNR was able to hold our first spaghetti dinner, and we are just so grateful for her incredible efforts and dedication to our mission of TNR! Huge thanks to Brenda, Jim, Jo, Julie, Leslie, Loree, Lydia, Michael, Stacey & Susie for working so hard to make our spaghetti dinner a success!

12/03/2024

Giving Tuesday: Support Your Local TNR Efforts! 🌟 This Giving Tuesday, consider making a difference in the lives of community cats by donating to Cacapon TNR. 🐾🌈 Join us in making a meaningful impact: Together, we can create positive change for our community and its beloved cats. 🐱💕

We are so thankful for all of you! Thank you to our Board Members & Volunteers: Brenda, Hannah, Janice, Karen, Leslie, L...
11/29/2024

We are so thankful for all of you! Thank you to our Board Members & Volunteers: Brenda, Hannah, Janice, Karen, Leslie, Loree, Shari, Stacey, Stephanie & Susie.
Thank you to our caregivers and feeders-without you, the cats we TNR wouldn’t continue to thrive and enjoy a healthy future.
Thank you to our supporters, donors and friends! This kind of work can be stressful and challenging, but your generosity reminds us to keep striving every day to make our world a better place for all. 🙏🐈❤️🐈‍⬛🙏
THANK YOU! Happy Thanksgiving!

We had our largest clinic to date yesterday, when we took 35 cats to be spayed & neutered. We’ve already broken 2023’s r...
11/05/2024

We had our largest clinic to date yesterday, when we took 35 cats to be spayed & neutered. We’ve already broken 2023’s record for surgeries done and it’s just now November! This has been an inspiring effort by Cacapon TNR volunteers and caregivers; we couldn’t have done it without you-our community of supporters, dedicated feeders, compassionate donors and animal lovers!

An increase in TNR’d kitties means an increase in additional treatments. Many of the cats trapped this weekend were battling severe Upper Respiratory Infections requiring antibiotics, like Macy and Clyde who came to us from a large, older colony in Slanesville.
We have a number of kitties with painful mouths who will finally feel better and eat without agony once they’ve had their dental procedures, which will happen over the next few days. This includes Abby & Eden who came from the same colony as Macy and Clyde, and the lovable Orange Chicken from Capon Bridge. Orange Chicken had quite a few wounds and cauliflowered ears due to torturous ear mites and infections. Bringing an end to their suffering and allowing them the quality of life they deserve - this is why we put our time and efforts into TNR.

Which brings us to young Tanner and Duke, both from Slanesville. Tanner is a sweet orange tabby whose eyes never recovered from the intense respiratory infection he suffered from as a kitten and we are so happy to report he received his enucleation yesterday. Duke is a gentle all black boy whose left eye was so badly ulcerated we were surprised it hadn’t yet ruptured, likely also from a nasty URI. Duke was in such obvious distress and pain that he received his enucleation while he was under anesthesia for neutering. In addition to having his eye removed, Duke also had many painful teeth and is scheduled for a dental procedure. Both cats can look forward to a long happy life, finally knowing what it feels like to be a cat that’s not in constant pain.

As most of you know, spay and neuter appointments alone can be quite expensive, and CTNR ensures the cats all get needed vaccinations, microchips and that beautiful ear tip😻. So many extra cats and extra treatments/procedures mean we find ourselves in need of your help.

We broke a few records for our November 3rd clinic. With 5 cats needing dental surgeries (that are now averaging over $400 each), that means we are spending over $2000 just on the dentals! Please consider a donation of any amount and help us continue this vital and necessary work of TNR. We want to make certain we can continue to help the vulnerable population of cats just like Duke, Abby and Orange Chicken to live their best healthiest lives🙏🐈🐱🐈‍⬛🙏
(Watch our slideshow from early Sunday morning when we loaded Loree’s van with all 35 cats. We had more cats than traps on hand, so a pair of sisters went in a carrier and we borrowed traps from Metro Ferals for their spays. Check it out, we’re pretty proud of it 😹)

There are SO many benefits of getting male cats neutered-it reduces the risk of spraying/marking, it reduces the potency...
11/01/2024

There are SO many benefits of getting male cats neutered-it reduces the risk of spraying/marking, it reduces the potency of the smell of their urine, they have less desire to roam which means they’ll have less instances of injury from fights, animal attacks or being hit by a car, they’re healthier and live longer with a reduced risk of many diseases (and eliminates testicular cancer) and finally-it greatly helps reduce suffering and euthanasia rates caused by the overpopulation of cats. For the love of all cats, get the males neutered this November at Augusta Animal Hospital’s No Nut November
💞🐈💞

NO NUT NOVEMBER
We will not be doing them on Monday November 4th

Starts November 1st - November 27th
You must bring them at 8:00 AM Mon-Fri
No food after midnight
MALE CATS ONLY!
Fee due at drop off
60.00 Neuter
10.00 Rabies

Our fundraising dinner is just TWO DAYS away!!! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, now is the time! We hope to see ...
10/24/2024

Our fundraising dinner is just TWO DAYS away!!! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, now is the time! We hope to see all of you there 😻

In-Person Ticket Sales:
Roy's (Berkeley Springs)
FNB Bank (Romney)
Bank of Romney (Capon Bridge)

Online:
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/f253a49d-2a51-4aaa-96d4-d00abee7745e

EDITED TO ADD: Zeffy, the platform we are using to sell online tickets, does not charge non-profits transaction or service fees. But they do ask purchasers to contribute a small percentage to cover their costs. The default is set to 17%, but you can choose any amount to give Zeffy.

Are any of our supporters dog lovers? If so, we need your help! One of our dedicated caretakers, “LB”, reached out in a ...
10/18/2024

Are any of our supporters dog lovers? If so, we need your help! One of our dedicated caretakers, “LB”, reached out in a panic last night as one of her beloved dogs, Chiquita, became really sick. She suspected pyometra, a painful uterine infection that turns deadly if left untreated. Like so many folks right now, LB is struggling in many ways and did not have the money or transportation to get Chiquita emergency care. Although we aren’t an emergency care organization, and our mission is to reduce the cat overpopulation crisis, we felt confident that with the help of our supporters, we could help Chiquita live. LB has done so much to care for the cats in her trailer park, always alerting us when a neighbor leaves behind an unaltered cat, and making sure they have enough to eat. We’ve been working with LB for 2 years and she ensures the cats roaming the park are not left to reproduce. These cats aren’t her responsibility, but she cares so deeply for them, and we need more people like LB.

With the help of our amazing volunteers, Chiquita made it to Augusta Animal Hospital today and had an emergency spay. It eliminated the pyometra and saved her life. Unfortunately, it depleted much of the funds we had earmarked to spay/neuter 25 cats this Sunday. If you can, please help us replenish the nearly $700 it cost for this emergency surgery. Without all of you, we can’t keep helping the cats (and dog!) of Morgan and Hampshire Counties.

P.S. Chiquita‘s story highlights the incredible importance of spay and neuter. Had she been spayed when she was a young dog, she would not have faced this painful emergency. Any cat or dog left intact faces dangerous infections and cancers of their reproductive organs. There are so many good reasons to spay/neuter, and this is just one of them. If you have pets that need to be spayed or neutered, please contact us and we will provide a list of low-cost spay/neuter clinics!

Hi folks! It’s less than 2 weeks away before our first Cacapon TNR spaghetti dinner! Tickets are $25.00 for all you can ...
10/15/2024

Hi folks! It’s less than 2 weeks away before our first Cacapon TNR spaghetti dinner! Tickets are $25.00 for all you can eat. We also have a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.

You can purchase your tickets at the three physical locations listed below or at this link:

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/f253a49d-2a51-4aaa-96d4-d00abee7745e

Cacapon TNR wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for our sponsors’ generous support. Their commitment to serving our community has made a significant impact and has not gone unnoticed. Their contribution plays a vital role in advancing our mission. We are very grateful!

10/15/2024

💲 LOW COST VACCINE CLINIC 💲
Pre-Register for faster service or walk up the day of . Just remember that registrations are NOT APPOINTMENTS‼️

PRICE LIST:

🐈‍⬛ Feline Distemper - $15
🐕‍🦺 Canine Distemper- $15
💉 Rabies - $10
👉 Bordetella - $18
👉 Microchip - $ 20

CATS MUST BE CRATED!
DOGS MUST BE LEASHED!

ALL ANIMALS MUST BE MANAGED AND MAINTAINED BY OWNERS! ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS
Pre-register to complete paperwork beforehand, speeds up service, there will still be a wait, this is HIGH VOLUME: waitwhile.com/locations/vcopopup



Did you know that kittens as young as 4 months old become pregnant? By sterilizing feral cats, TNR prevents them from re...
10/08/2024

Did you know that kittens as young as 4 months old become pregnant? By sterilizing feral cats, TNR prevents them from reproducing, which gradually reduces the number of cats in a given area. This can lead to a more stable population over time.

Felix and Andy are heading for their eye surgeries this morning (9/27)!! After holding Felix since Sunday, we are now ho...
09/27/2024

Felix and Andy are heading for their eye surgeries this morning (9/27)!! After holding Felix since Sunday, we are now hoping his left eye can be saved, as he does seem to still be able to see shadows. We’ll discuss this with Dr. K and keep everyone posted on the outcome.

Thank you SO MUCH for the donations for these 4 deserving souls. We could not help these cats without all of you ❤️

Donations Desperately Needed!We are so pleased to report another 20 cats & kittens got their sterilization surgeries yes...
09/23/2024

Donations Desperately Needed!

We are so pleased to report another 20 cats & kittens got their sterilization surgeries yesterday! Wouldn’t it be so great if all the uncertain conditions that outside cats face would ease up along with kitten season coming to an end? Unfortunately that’s not the case as evidenced by this weekend’s spay/neuter clinic. We did have some more extensive ailments that we are tackling and are asking for your help so we can get all these kitties feeling their best.

Zeke was one of ten cats trapped Saturday morning at a colony in Augusta. This large ginger tabby stood out from the pack from the start, endlessly talking and asking for attention that we were so happy to give. While rubbing his ears and fat stud cheeks, we noticed his eyes were red, sore, and weepy. We wondered if he might have entropian, an extremely painful condition that causes the eyelids to roll inwards allowing the lashes to scratch against the eyes. Unfortunately we were right! Zeke received entropian surgery today (along with his much needed neutering) and he will be held for recovery before returning home.

Andy was trapped at the same Augusta colony as Zeke. Unlike Zeke, Andy was skittish and quiet. But it didn't take long to see Andy's left eye appeared to be missing. His eye had likely ruptured from a long festering upper respiratory infection (URI) that affects the majority of litters born outside. Andy will receive an enucleation surgery in the coming days and, once recovered, he will be returned to the safety of his colony feeling like a whole new cat!

This next story about Felix is a tough one. A pregnant female showed up at a home in Capon Bridge we TNR’d to completion two years ago. She gave birth to a litter of 5 and all of the kittens had terrible URIs. Treating feral kittens with medication is one of many issues caregivers face when caring for outdoor cats. Most cats and kittens living outside aren't able to get any treatments, but this caretaker was able to try to administer some antibiotics through food. Unfortunately, it seems Felix wasn't able to get as much of the antibiotics as his littermates. His respiratory infection worsened, and when we trapped him for this weekend’s clinic, we could see both of Felix’s eyes were in terrible condition. His right eye is bulging and opaque, while his left eye is cloudy, scarred, and enlarged. Dr. K revealed to us that Felix has no eyesight at all and will need a DOUBLE enucleation - both eyes removed - in order to put an end the painful condition he’s living with. After the initial shock of this diagnosis, we talked through the options with Dr. K. She let us know he had been maneuvering outside for quite a while without the ability to see. He was otherwise in great conditon and very healthy, which suggests he's been navigating his environment very well (likely with the help of his siblings and mother). Having his eyes removed will only help him live in his cherished home with his bonded siblings without pain. We spoke at length with his caretaker, who will keep a close eye on him. If he finds that Felix is struggling outside, he will consider bringing him indoors. Although this is a subjective decision that many may not agree with, indoor life is not the be-all, end-all, and many feral cats suffer being forced to live inside. His mental health is as important as his physical health, and we want Felix to be in the place he is happiest and most confident!

Merlin was part of a hoarding case handled by Morgan County Animal Control (MCAC), where they were forced to seize 9 cats in terrible conditions. MCAC does not intake cats, unless there are conditions that meet the criteria of animal cruelty set by the state. These cats met those criteria. MCAC works on a shoestring budget, and can't provide the extensive vet care often required by these cases. So rescues and shelters often step up to take on the fundraising to help these animals. CTNR helped by getting these cats spayed/neutered early August. It was then that Merlin was found to have severe dental disease. MCAC staff have been working hard to find placement for these cats, but that is incredibly difficult when a cat needs expensive treatment. Merlin is an absolute love bug, and deserves to be pain free and find his forever home. CTNR is determined to cover the expense of his dental (happening today), but we truly need your help to make it happen. He’s already been through so much.

Each enucleation will be ~$300 (x3), the entropian was $180, and the dental will be $350, so we need to raise almost $1,500. We know times are tough for everyone and want to assure you that every little bit helps us tremendously. In addition to all the spay/neuter surgeries, these additional treatments will mean a world of difference for these cats that have known too much pain in their short lives. We humbly ask for your help so we can ensure they return to their homes no longer in pain, looking ahead with their best chance at long healthy lives.

In the rescue world, the term bottle baby elicits images of neonatal kittens, KMR, feedings every 2-3 hours, and exhaust...
09/18/2024

In the rescue world, the term bottle baby elicits images of neonatal kittens, KMR, feedings every 2-3 hours, and exhausted caregivers. But it can be appropriately used in another, less common context: a cat with a bottle stuck on its head. You just never want to have to rescue that kind of bottle baby. But today was one of those days.

When I left to make an unplanned trip to Augusta this afternoon, I found my normal route was closed due to a car accident. As I took some back roads to get around the accident, I drove by an abandoned property and caught the sight of an odd looking cat. As a TNR trapper, you’re looking for cats even when you don’t realize you’re looking for cats. I slammed on the brakes, backed up, and spotted a cat with what appeared to be a 20 oz soda bottle on her head. I pulled in, turned off the car, and slowly got out. As soon as she heard me, she turned around and ran, running straight into a tree. I calmly got a blanket out of my car (the only “tool” I had with me), but when I turned around, she was gone. I spent about 15 minutes looking for her, but no luck. I did spot 2 other cats that looked like her, so I’ll be adding this site to our TNR list. I left feeling devastated, not sure what to do. I knew trapping her would be hard, because trapping is all about food/hunger. Could she even smell with that thing on? I put some feelers out for a humane net and planned to go back when I could get my hands on one. But I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I wanted to see if a drop trap might work, so I set off this evening. I spotted her next to the abandoned building as soon as I pulled up. I approached her and she didn’t run. Let me preface this by saying I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I’ve never had to trap a bottle baby before. I thought if I could grab the bottle, she could pull her head out. So I slowly grabbed the bottle and gently pulled. She struggled to pull away, but that thing did not budge! She got away from me and ran into some prickly underbrush. I decided if I could get ahold of her again, I would try to get her in a trap. So I got a trap ready (stood vertically with the door open) and got a towel to wrap her in. She had gotten herself cornered under some thick, low growing brush, so I was able to grab her and lower her into the trap. I could tell she was exhausted. I used the scissors on my Swiss army knife to cut the bottle off her head. She was free!!! And she was stinky.

I have no idea how this cat got her head stuck in the bottle. There were bits of a cricket body, and what appeared to be a round foil-lined seal, in the bottle. Maybe she went after the cricket? Maybe there was something tasty on the seal? Or maybe something sinister happened. I really, really hope not.

BeBe is currently resting in a kennel equipped with a litter box, a comfy place to lay, and all the food and water she could need. She will be staying with me until she accompanies 19 other cats who will be getting spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for parasites this Sunday. Should she need a vet visit sooner, we’ll get her one. But she seems surprisingly healthy.

I often think about the butterfly effect. If the vet hadn’t been short on our microchips, and if that car accident hadn’t happened, I never would have come across Bebe. And she likely would have suffered terribly. It’s a good reminder that good things can come out of bad. I just hope the accident that closed Paw Paw Rd today was a
minor one.

One final thought…please DON’T LITTER! It can kill, literally.

If you would like to contribute to BeBe’s care and surgery, and the surgeries of the 19 other cats this weekend, please donate!!

Address

РО Box 794
Great Cacapon, WV
25422

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4am

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