Truro- based volunteers catch 100 felines in 104 days
There will be several hundred fewer homeless cats in Colchester County this year, thanks to the efforts of the volunteers with Wayward Cats. They managed to trap 100 cats in 104 days, and have them spayed and neutered.
“A lot of days it was so cold cats were hiding and not coming out,” said Sarah MacLean, who did most of the trapping. “When there was a storm we often didn’t see them for three or four days.”
MacLean would place some extra tasty, and smelly, food inside the trap and then wait in her vehicle while listening for the sound of a trap door closing. Once the cats are checked by a vet and spayed or neutered, most of them are returned to their neighbourhood. If kittens are caught while young enough, they’re socialized and placed in homes. Her most unusual catches were a raccoon,
which she released, and her own poodle, who was happy to be trapped as long as there was food.
“Most people are happy with what we’re doing,” said MacLean. “They don’t mind a few cats around but they don’t want large colonies.”
One of those people is Joannie
Mingo, who lives in a rural area where cats were dropped off.
“There were five cats and I didn’t want them reproducing,” she said. “I phoned the Truro Vets about getting a couple fixed and the receptionist told me about Wayward Cats and gave me their number. I phoned and here we are; the cats are all fixed thanks to them.”
She saw MacLean visit her property several times before getting the last two, who were skittish around the traps after their friends had been caught.
“This is such a relief to me,” said Mingo. “I’m glad to have a few cats around but I don’t think people realize how fast they breed.”
The cats have become calmer since their surgeries and will now spend time near Mingo.
“Wayward Cats is only a small group but it’s doing such great work,” Mingo enthused. “It’s absolutely marvellous.”
Spaying and neutering a large number of cats is expensive and Wayward Cats appreciates any donations or sponsorships to help with their work. Cat food and pet carriers are also on the list of needs.
Wayward Cats Society can be contacted at waywardcatssociety@gmail.com. More photos and information can be found on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Waywardcatssociety/?fref= ts .