The Kitty Cadre
T here are island organizations that cannot function without volunteer help. Nantucket Cat Rescue (NCR) is one of them. Charged with identifying and managing our island feral cat population, NCR volunteers humanely trapped over 1,000 feral cats over a period of several years, using the Trap-Neuter-Release protocol. The trapped cats were brought in for medical examinations, vaccinations, spaying or neutering and, if healthy, the cats were returned to their colonies. The kittens were socialized in foster homes and then placed for adoption.

The TNR program, which was started here 13 years ago, initially was so successful in reducing feral cat numbers that, for a time, there were few locally born kittens. Because of this success, attention faltered, but now volunteers have renewed their efforts to manage the burgeoning feral cat population. Last year was a record-breaker in successful trapping efforts.

Volunteer Tanya Eldridge points out that it only takes one free-roaming female cat and a male to produce another generation of ferals. Statistics show that one female and her offspring can produce as many as 420,000 cats in a seven-year period.

Eldridge has been involved with NCR for about four years, starting when they purchased their 'Sconset house.

"We noticed a kitten living in the garage, so we put out food and water and the next thing we knew, we were feeding an entire feral cat colony," said Eldridge.

Since then, she has trapped and spayed or neutered over 50 of these cats on her property alone. After the 'Sconset colonies were stabilized, she started trapping in other areas and helping out whenever anyone would call in with a feral sighting.

Eldridge has also started a database detailing feral cat information from the past eight years. Whenever a cat comes through the system, a form is filled out with date, location, sex, age, appearance, health of the animal and the ultimate outcome, whether released, adopted or euthanized. This information is instrumental in analyzing the health, location and population flow of ou r fe ral ca t co lonies.

"People think that because we're an island, it's okay to let their cats roam free, or to abandon them altogether, and they will survive. This is why our island feral cat population has gotten out of control," Eldridge explained.

She remembers "Newton," a 6- month old kitten trapped in the middle of winter. The frostbite of both ears cost him both ear tips. He was emaciated, had pneumonia and lungworm and would have died if not for the report to a NCR volunteer.

"Newton is a perfect example of how the NCR works," she said. "We were able to trap, isolate and medicate him for several weeks. During that time I spent hours talking softly to him and feeding him. He grew to trust me and is now a loveable part of our family."

Another volunteer, Cathy Mack, who has been trapping for 1½ years, proudly reports that she trapped 25 cats last year and hopes for many more this year.

Mack said, "I just love all animals, but I particularly love cats. Cats aren't wild animals; they were never meant to be feral. They don't have the skills to survive on their own. They can't build their own shelters and kittens born into the wild have a slim chance of survival."

She echoes Tanya's concerns about the origins of our feral colonies.

"These cats just don't fall out of the sky. We have a feral cat problem because people let their unneutered and unsprayed pets out or they abandon them," said Mack.

Most of the ferals Mack traps are healthy, probably because others are also feeding and they are obviously from domestic stock.

"I have trapped orange cats, black and white ones, and even several Siamese mixes in addition to our Nantucket tabbies," she said.

Mack manages two trapping sites, where she usually traps two or three nights each week, using a canned food lure in a humane trap. She has three feeding stations, where she replenishes dry food and fresh water once a week. Because Mack works full-time, she limits herself to these two activities, estimating that her oversight involves only about one hour per week.

Volunteer Carol Black spends a lot of time in two major areas: trapping ferals and fostering kittens. As we spoke, Black had just finished he r mo rning ro unds, which included cleaning up, feeding and playing with the seven foster kittens currently in her care. She admits that it is difficult to give up the kittens after being their caregiver, but she is focused on the greater goal of preparing them to go to good homes.

"Getting these kittens accustomed to human contact and socializing them is so very gratifying. They come around very quickly, in just a few days," said Black. "I also find it absolutely rewarding to help interrupt the cycle of populating our feral cat colonies. By using TNR, we are stopping hundreds of kittens from being born. We are preventing kittens from suffering and also stabilizing the feral colonies."

All of these volunteers receive great satisfaction from helping animals who cannot help themselves. There are more opportunities to help with trapping and with fostering kittens and if you are interested, contact Nantucket Cat Rescue at 508-825-2287 (CATS).

Eldridge advised, "I would encourage anyone who sees or feeds cats in their neighborhood to call NCR. A lot of people on the island feed cats, and that's great, but we really need help trapping these cats and getting them spayed or neutered. This not only gives the cats a better quality of life, but it saves thousands of kittens from being born."

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Miz Edna kitty. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny and three budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com (6/20/08 ) I