NC Feral Cat Coalition

17/08/2024

17/08/2024

Warm weather? No... this is HOT 💥🔥 weather. If you provide food and water for outside cats, be aware that if you are putting out wet food during the day, add water to it and pick it up within 45 minutes to avoid bacterial growth/going rancid. It may be best to just provide dry when the temps are crazy high. Plus, the dry is less likely to attach insects. Raising the bowl off the ground, placing it in a larger plate/bowl with water in it to create a moat, or sprinkling FOOD-GRADE Diatomaceous Earth will help with keeping bugs out. However, wet food can be a good source of hydration for cats in hot weather if you feed early in the morning or in the evening or they eat it all right away.

Deep bowls for water help to keep it from getting too warm and placed in the shade is ideal. You can also add some ice cubes or bring refrigerated water. Some cats like to play with the ice cubes which helps to cool off their foot pads. You can also freeze water bottles and place one in the bowl. If frozen bottles are left on the ground, some cats will lay on them to cool off.

If you can, provide some shade even if it is just a piece of plywood leaning against a wall.

If you are doing TNR in very hot weather, be aware that cats can suffer heatstroke. Place the trap covered with a lightweight cover in the shade or where there is some AC. Placing a trap on asphalt can heat up the metal making it even hotter for the cat and can even burn it's paws.

Let's do what we can to keep our furry friends cool! Please share any other suggestions you have.

15/08/2024

TNR works! But only if you have the funding for surgeries and vaccines. Please help the feral, stray, neighborhood cats with a donation today!❤️🐱🐈🐈‍⬛

🐱❗️
Since the start of the Cumberland County TNVR program over a year ago, we have been able to spay/neuter over 2,000 feral cats. Unfortunately funding has run out so we are aiming to raise $20,000 to keep the program going. Any support is appreciated
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?campaign_id=YNGJEXVPBDVL2

15/08/2024

If You Think Shelter Cats are Expensive, Wait Until You See the Price of a FREE One!

How many times have you seen a post like this?

Wanted Free Kitten -- We are a loving family and will be a great home for a kitten. We went to the shelter last week and they want $125 for a kitten! That is outrageous. Who can afford to pay that for a kitten? That is way beyond our budget, so we are hoping for a free kitten.

When I saw this post on NextDoor there were already several responses from people offering free or "inexpensive" kittens. One woman proudly claimed that she lets her cats have kittens as a "community service for people who can't afford the insane shelter adoption fees."

Are rescue and shelter adoption fees unreasonable? Several years ago, my coworker "Annie" chose to adopt a free kitten to save money. She knew I was involved in rescue and asked me for recommendations for affordable vaccines and altering. Annie was certain that a free kitten was going to save her a lot of money. Since money was very tight in her household, I had her make an appointment at Feral Cat Spay Neuter Project for the kitten's spay. The cost for spay, initial vaccines, microchipping and treatment for parasites were going to be only $100. A bargain! But she still needed combo testing and follow up rabies and FVRCP vaccines. That was going to add another $125 to her total. At $225, this was more than the adoption fee for a fully vetted kitten. But before she could take her in to be spayed her free kitten became very ill. She spent over $1,200 trying to save her life.

What are the costs in your community? In our area, adoption fees for fully vetted kittens tend to run between $100 and $150. This includes a wellness exam, age-appropriate vaccines, treatment for fleas and worms, spay / neuter, FIV / FeLV testing and microchipping.

We are fortunate to have low-cost options in our community, but most areas aren't so lucky. At a regular vet clinic, expect to pay $250 on the low end and up to $800 for more expensive clinics. If your free kitten has a common health issue like an upper respiratory illness, add $150 to $500 to your total. For a major medical issue, it could be thousands.

If you know someone interested in adding a kitten or two to their family, be sure to tell them that they can save money by adopting from a local shelter or rescue. If they are skeptical, encourage them to call their vet and find out the fees ahead of time. Free kittens contribute to the homeless cat population in our country because their uninformed adopters don't realize the costs of vet care. If you can't afford the adoption fee for a spayed and vaccinated kitten, you absolutely can't afford a free kitten!

14/08/2024

We are sad to announce that the Cumberland County feral cat TNVR program is on pause effective immediately. We are working diligently to acquire more funding but until further notice, do not trap any more cats. We still have plenty of funding for Harnett and Robeson Counties.

13/08/2024

If you need suggestions about who you can foster for or have questions about what fostering involves, message us. There are kittens and cats everywhere who just need a little growing or ‘in the home’ time! Your help is really needed!

13/08/2024

Even if you only want to TNR that one tomcat that keeps sleeping on your car, participation in this certification course is worth your time and money (only $10)! Sign up today!

13/08/2024

Please be ‘that somebody’ too! Message us for information about free or very low cost TNR!

We are all somebody 😺

12/08/2024

It is real. Read the part about the Northeast being full. It’s not just a southern thing this year. Message us for free or very low cost TNR or spay/neuter for your house pets. I promise, it is not hard to do, but it is urgent that it be done!

If you're fortunate to live in an area that has someone doing TNR, take advantage of it. Many of you (in the US) are familiar with transports that take (mostly) cats and dogs from the high euthanasia States in the Southeast to Northern states (where I heard years ago have zero euthanizations and few animals available for adoption because their spay/neuter programs are so strictly enforced). I've heard repeatedly on FB & from every TNR/rescue person I know that this is THE worst kitten season ever. We've been saying that every year for the last 17 years. (Why aren't people getting any smarter in knowing what needs to be done?)

Today a friend posted on FB pics of a beautiful tortie kitten (est to be 7 weeks old) that she'd recently captured, seemingly near death from starvation (frightened, being chased by dogs, very skinny). In an effort to help her find a rescue to take the kitten, I contacted a long-time rescue friend who told me they can't take in any cats because "Massachusetts is full." I had to confirm what I thought that meant. Sure enough, rescues in the NE are full. I don't always stay current with the rescue situation (since I do TNR, I'm not usually affected), but this is the first time since starting TNR/rescue (17 years ago) I've heard that. That translates to more cats and dogs in the SE States will be euthanized. There is NO WHERE for them to go.💔😿

PLEASE, in the name of compassion for all living beings, spay/neuter your pets.🐈‍⬛️🐕🐈🐕‍🦺💕

10/08/2024

Always have a plan for the kittens if you know they are part of a bigger colony. Rescues, shelters, fosters are full so that plan might be you fostering and adopting or caring enough to trap-neuter-return them!

10/08/2024

Get your FREE guide today on TNR - Trap-Neuter-Return. This handy guide will teach you what TNR is, how it saves cats' lives, and how you can bring it to your neighborhood! Download Alley Cat Allies' free guide today to learn about the only humane and effective approach to community cats!

09/08/2024

Our guide will show you how to care for kittens you may find outdoors in your neighborhood this time of year. Learn more by downloading your guide today!

09/08/2024

Meet Our Premier Sponsor for the 2024 United Spay Alliance Conference!

The Feline Fix by Five Initiative, by Marian's Dream, aims to boost early spay/neuter education for vets. With 30+ years of animal welfare work, we're focusing on cats who need it more than ever. Learn more at felinefixbyfive.org.

Register today for the 2024 United Spay Alliance Conference to early bird pricing at https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/2024-united-spay-alliance-online-conference/

09/08/2024

09/08/2024

“Whether you are new to Rescue or have been doing it for years, it's something you definitely need to think about. You need to think about it before it happens, because it will happen and you need to know what you are going to be able to do.” Read this in its entirety. ❤️

Sick Cats – the TNR moral dilemma

Who goes into cat rescue? I would guess the vast majority are people who care very passionately about the cats, wanting to be able to improve their lives. And through TNR, we are able to help so many cats live better healthier lives - but when you are doing Rescue and one of those cats is very sick – what do you do? Or when he has a physical condition that is going to inevitably lead to a painful death unless he gets expensive veterinary care? Or maybe she has a physical disability that is not life-threatening, but will put her at a much higher risk of death by predator if she is returned to her site?

For those of us who have been involved in Rescue for many years, these scenarios are sadly not that uncommon. But whether you are new to Rescue or have been doing it for years, it's something you definitely need to think about. You need to think about it before it happens, because it will happen and you need to know what you are going to be able to do.

The problem for so many rescuers is when they are facing the reality of a cat who needs help, but is going to end up costing hundreds or thousands of dollars and needing a place to stay and recover and foster. There are some people who have plenty of money and are able to take on extremely expensive rescues, but the majority of us simply cannot afford to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a single Rescue cat. And yet they suffer tremendous guilt – nobody likes to be the one to say "euthanize this cat" – we're here to save cats not kill them. The reality though is you need to look at the word euthanize - "Euthanasia is the practice of ending the life of a patient to limit the patient's suffering".

If you have a cat without an owner living outside, and you trap it to do TNR and it turns out to have a terminal condition, you are faced with
1– taking on expensive veterinary care and prolonged foster situation,
2 – choosing to euthanize the cat to prevent more suffering, or
3-returning it to the site with no treatment.

Option 1 – because so many rescuers have gone deeply into debt and have ended up in deep trouble, we highly encourage rescuers to consider 2 things - their own situation before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on this one cat, and 2 - the chances for a good long-term outcome. What will this cat's quality of life be?

Option 2 - euthanasia. This is a difficult decision for most people, and we appreciate that. Ending a life should never be a casual decision or something chosen for convenience. But peacefully and humanely ending a life to prevent suffering is a kindness. Hopefully the veterinarian assessing this cat can help guide the rescuer to the right decision – while veterinarians don't like to euthanize the cats if they can avoid it, we hope they also recognize it's extremely painful to make that decision. We encourage veterinarians to help the rescuers be realistic during this emotional time.

Option 3 – returning the cat to the site untreated. We hope no one would return a cat who was doomed to a painful ending of life without treatment, but the thought of making the decision to euthanize is so difficult for so many that they will choose to do nothing rather than to make the choice. Once again talking this through with your veterinarian can hopefully bring a more detached viewpoint, and the ability to recognize that in the end it is a selfish thing to return a cat that you know is going to die a bad death; it protects your feelings, you don't have to take responsibility for having ended the life. But Rescue is all about responsibility – and when you return the cat without treating or euthanizing, but knowing there's a problem, you are still making a choice - and you are still responsible.

Rescue is full of so much joy, and it is full of so much heartache as well. We all need to be supportive of each other in making these difficult choices, and should not ever impose guilt or shame on anyone who makes the decision to euthanize to help prevent suffering. Do your best to be supportive and work together on these decisions – the rescuer, the caregiver, the veterinarian, your fellow rescuers – work together to create a compassionate and realistic understanding of what Rescue truly is.

(***** We are NOT recommending casual euthanasia. Just an understanding of your own financial and emotional needs as well as the needs of the animal.)

08/08/2024

These are really helpful webinars whether you foster, TNR, or manage colonies. Take advantage of them all to gain knowledge and a new perspective on your work with cats!

08/08/2024

This International Cat Day, reflect on how lucky you are to have us 😽😽

08/08/2024

🐾🌍 Happy International Cat Day! 🌍🐾

Today, we celebrate our feline friends around the globe, from the pampered house cats to the resilient outdoor community cats. Cats have touched our lives in countless ways, offering companionship, joy, and a bit of mystery to our daily routines.

While many cats enjoy the comforts of indoor life, millions of community cats live outdoors, navigating urban landscapes and natural environments. These outdoor cats, often misunderstood, play a vital role in our ecosystems by controlling rodent populations and bringing balance to our neighborhoods.

However, with their numbers increasing, community cats face challenges like overpopulation, hunger, and disease. This is where Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) comes in as a humane and effective solution. TNR involves humanely trapping community cats, having them spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and then returning them to their outdoor homes. This process not only prevents unwanted litters but also improves the health and well-being of these cats.

How Can You Help?

🐱 Support TNR Programs: Get involved with local organizations that run TNR programs. Your support can help provide the necessary resources for these life-saving initiatives.

🐾 Volunteer: Offer your time to help trap, transport, or foster community cats. Every bit of effort counts.

😺 Educate Others: Spread the word about the importance of spaying and neutering cats to reduce overpopulation and improve their quality of life.

❤️ Adopt or Foster: Consider adopting or fostering a community cat or kitten to provide a loving home for those in need.

On this International Cat Day, let's honor all cats by ensuring a safer, healthier world for them. Whether they're purring on your lap or roaming your backyard, every cat deserves love and care.

07/08/2024

If you have trapped a cat for TNR in hopes to bring it in on Thursday, please do not release it! Tips on how to care for a trapped cat are in the comments.

Due to the weather, we will be closed on Thursday, August 8th, and Friday, August 9th. If you have any concerns after surgery, please call 910-400-7682, select line 4, and leave a message. Stay safe! 🐾

07/08/2024

Being threatened with a fine or citation for caring for community cats is a scary situation, and Alley Cat Allies has some guidance to help. Just visit alleycat.org/Citations

07/08/2024

**🌧️ **URGENT: FOSTERS AND RESCUES NEEDED BEFORE THE STORM!** 🌧️**

As the hurricane approaches, we’re preparing for an influx of animals who will need refuge from the storm. Our shelter is already full, and we need your help to make room for those who will need us most in the coming days. 🐾

You’re not just providing safety to the animal you take in—you’re also making space for another animal in desperate need of shelter from the storm.

**How You Can Help:**

📞 Contact our Rescue/Foster Coordinator at [email protected]

🤝 Share this post to help us spread the word

07/08/2024

06/08/2024

If you have trapped a cat, check Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic of the Sandhills before bringing it to the clinic. If the clinic is closed due to inclement weather, do NOT release it! Please keep the cat loosely covered in a temperature controlled, dry environment. Make sure to feed it daily and provide water. If possible, keep the liner of the trap clean and dry also.

We have received many calls and emails asking if we will be open on Thursday due to the expected heavy rainfall. We are watching the weather carefully and will make a decision based on recommendations from local authorities. We will announce whether we will be closed on Thursday by 5pm Wednesday. Please be sure to follow our page for updates.

05/08/2024

Read this all the way to the end.

05/08/2024

IF YOU FEED THEM, THEY WILL
COME! THE NEXT STEP IS TRAP, NEUTER, VACCINATE, RELEASE!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

05/08/2024

Read this - twice if needed!!!

Feral cats live outdoors and are generally not socialized, friendly or able to acclimate to living indoors. They usually shy away from human contact but may become somewhat acclimated to their caretaker/feeder. Feeding feral cats alone is not enough, get them TNVRed to eliminate the stress of constantly breeding and protect them from diseases. We have grant funding available, visit https://spayneutervet.org/feral-cats/

05/08/2024

Thank you for feeding the cats, but please pay attention to your methods!!! Read more below!