The Ferrell Cat Frenzy

It has always been second nature for me to continuously scan the scenery for stay or lost dogs and cats. On this particular afternoon I noticed a few cats gathering in a field not far from our new house. The field was actually a fenced in lot that was up for sale but looked disgusting, overgrown and abandoned. I took a mental note of it and continued on my way home. A few nights later I drove by the same empty lot only this time it was anything BUT empty. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what must have been 50+ferrell cats all gathered in the corner lot. It was a beautiful sight, seeing all of those free roaming felines all in the same place. There were orange, calico, black, white, long hair, short hair and everything in between! After the true state of aw passed I knew, thanks to the great information I learned at the Best Friends “No More Homeless Pets” conference, that I have a challenge or rather a great opportunity on my hands. I knew I needed to perform TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return) on these cats. I don’t know exactly how yet… but I knew it had to be done. Otherwise the 50+ cats would turn into 100+ cats right before my eyes.

The next day I googled TNR in Phoenix Arizona and was pleased when the Animal Defense League of Arizona popped up. The website said that they perform TNR for Ferrell cats and there was a hotline to call to receive more information. GREAT! Well that was easy… yes I was sooo wrong. I left a message on the hotline with all of the details, where they are, how many of there are out there, when I saw them and all that jazz. Today, a nice lady from the Animal Defense League of Arizona returned my inquiry about TRN for the cats. She explained to me that they lend out the traps and that I can borrow them, trap the cats (somehow), then they will set up a time to perform the neuter/ spay and I come and pick the cats up and return them to their empty lot. I thought, well that’s not so bad…. Then the kicker…. She gently broke it to me that it was $20 per spay/ neuter. This wouldn’t be a big deal if it was a few cats. But we are talking 50-75 cats!! You do the math!! OK I already did it would be over $1,000 L this was definitely NOT in my budget.

Anyone have a grand lying around that you would like to donate so I can kick this corner lot breeding frenzy?! OR would anyone like to donate $20 for 1 cat to be fixed? Anything will help I will do one at a time if I have to. These cats deserve a safe and healthy life as much as your own pets. This will help the human community AND the cat community in so many ways.

I am going to call the humane society tomorrow and see if they have a free spay/ neuter clinic for situations like these. I will keep you posted on my progress. PLEASE let me know if you think of a sponsor for the TNR of if you have any ideas on how I can go about this. The cats need us and I am here to help!!