2022-09-28

Helping the feral cat colonies

by KELLY INGLIS, Manager

  • <p>KELLY INGLIS PHOTO</p><p>Chelsea was trapped last spring in North Brookfield from an abandoned colony.</p>
  • <p>KELLY INGLIS PHOTO</p><p>Chelsea was successfully rehabilitated and adopted into a loving indoor home.</p>
  • <p>KELLY INGLIS PHOTO</p><p>Labelle was trapped from an abandoned colony and successfully re-homed to a loving family.</p>

SHAID Tree Animal Shelter

At SHAID, we have an annual budget set aside for spaying and neutering the local feral cat population.

This is known as our TNR Program, which is an acronym for Trap, Neuter, Return. Most everyone is aware there are several colonies along the South Shore, especially in rural farm areas.

If not monitored, the populations can quickly spiral out of control. Due to the pandemic, many colonies have indeed done just that. Due to veterinary shortages over the last year, the shelter has struggled to secure enough spay and neuter appointments for our own shelter animals, let alone the feral colonies.

We would like to thank Dr. Beverly Greenlaw of Oakland Veterinary Clinic in Mahone Bay, who has recently and graciously agreed to help us with our TNR program this fall, to help our local feral colonies. We are currently tackling three colonies in New Germany, Baker's Settlement, and Hebb's Cross. This is on top of our regular shelter intakes of homeless, unwanted, or abandoned animals.

If you ever need to trap a cat, we can offer the following tips:

· If trapping for a spay or neuter surgery, ensure you have an appointment booked at your local vet. No veterinary clinic or shelter is equipped to take in a feral cat without notice.

· Try to get the trap a week before you plan to trap the cat. Place the trap in the same area where you feed the cat. Do not set it!

· Each feeding time, move the food dish closer to the trap so the cat isn't scared of it.

· Do not feed the cat the day before trapping day. He needs to be good and hungry so he will go right in the trap.

· On trapping day, carefully set the trap with a variety of smelly food like canned cat food and sardines.

· Make sure the cat is not left in the trap for any long period of time, especially if it is hot or cold outside.

Don't forget to pick up your 2022 SHAID Tree Lottery tickets! They are $30 each or two for $50; first prize $25,000; second prize a 2023 Honda ATV, and third prize a $500 Giant Tiger gift card. Only 4,000 tickets printed. You can get them by calling 902-543-4849, or stopping by one of our local supporters: Giant Tiger, Shur-Gain Feeds N Needs, Bridgewater Honda Powerhouse, and Sobeys in Liverpool and Bridgewater.

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