Caring for kitties in Colchester County
TRURO, N.S. – Sometimes something unexpected shows up in a feral cat colony – a former pet who just wants to be loved.
A tabby recently picked up by Carma Cat Rescue’s Colchester chapter is one of these cats.
“He’s an old guy, about 10, and he was already neutered - but not microchipped,” said Heather Stevenson, a volunteer with Carma. “He’s very friendly and he’ll be up for adoption once he’s better.”
The cat was suffering from respiratory infection and had an abscess on his head. This caused so much swelling he couldn’t open one eye at first.
The nine other cats from the colony were feral and have been vet checked, spayed and neutered, and returned to their home.
“There is a caretaker for them, so they won’t go hungry,” said Stevenson. “If someone in the community is willing to feed a colony, we provide food.
“Most of the people near a colony are OK with the cats as long as they’re not reproducing. If they’re not spayed and neutered, a colony can grow very quickly.”
To feed these cats, donations of food are always needed. Because outdoor cats need more calories when the temperatures drop, kitten food is used this time of year.
Carma trapped 136 cats this year, and those that were young enough were tamed and adopted out into homes. A few kittens will be available for adoption very soon.
“Our numbers were lower than last year because we had no building for a while, and not many people trapping,” said Stevenson. “We can always use more volunteers willing to help with things like trapping and fundraising. We would love to increase the size of our little group.
“We appreciate whatever people can do to help. Without the great response from the community we wouldn’t be able to keep going.”
Kitten food donations can be dropped at Truro Vets, on Arthur Street.
Anyone interested in learning more about Carma’s Colchester chapter can visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/waywardcatssociety/, email colchestercarma@gmail. com or call 902-957-8677.