The first week of the Randolph Rescue Project was completed and Rescue Leaders, volunteers and the kitties are returning to Randolph, Iowa to live out their little lives, safely.
On Wednesday, April 2, 36 traps were strategically placed at dusk in Randolph, Iowa, and rescuers began the "wait". RVAS' Executive Director, Joe Pundzak and Randolph's Mayor Vance Trively, spent most of the prior Monday plotting out trapping areas on the town map targeting the more populated areas first.
Feline Friendz in Nebraska orchestrated the trapping, the coordination of transport to Hearts United making certain each cage was properly labeled their return/relocation. Volunteers made sure that each kitty was provided comfort, warmth and privacy until such time for transport. "Sherry and her volunteers were absolutely phenonmenal," said Joe Pundzak. "Her coordination of the trapping/transport was done in such detail, that the cats rested quietly in their traps while waiting for transport. "
Hearts United for Animals graciously opened their doors late in the evening to receive the 29 cats captured and on Thursday morning, April 3, the long process of basic health examinations, vaccinations, rabies, spaying, neutering, implantation of microchips and antibiotics for any sick kitties began by their staff and volunteers. Dr. James Gigstad, DVM donated his services for the spays and neuters.
Out of the 29 felines who were captured, 8 were females, 7 were pregnant. All the pregnancies were terminated without harm to their mothers.
"Had we not intervened when we did, there would be a modest 35 more unwanted feral cats roaming the streets of Randolph, left to reproduce, placing this community right back into the same situation in 6 months,," said Linda R. Blakely. "It's hard for some people to understand how our no-kill philosophy promotes terminating pregnancy in a cat, but the hard truth of this business is if we don't, then even more unwanted lives are born and will die inhumanely," she stated. "This is a prime example of how quickly two reproducing cats, left unspayed/unneutered, can cost thousands of deaths in a very short time," she said, "And why we require every animal to be spayed and neutered and educate constantly on the importance of responsible pet care."
On Friday morning, April 4, the cats were ready for return where volunteers Mike & Deb Shanahan loaded up their vehicles and headed to Randolph. While returning the cats to their original colony is the preferred standard by all the organizations involved, in Randolph's case it was not possible. "Best Friends, Shelly Kotter felt that some of these cats had to be relocated simply because the area in which they came from was so overpopulated," said Linda. "It's important to keep colonies together and 13 of the 29 were relocated with their original colony. The other 16 were returned as follows:, 2 were placed into rescue, 2 were euthanized by owner's request, 12 were returned to their owners, 2 of whom were young and went inside."
But the return created a stir with the Mayor of Randolph. His understanding was that all cats would be relocated despite the signed resolution, which clearly states "Return owned or community cats to their normal territory."
Shelly Kotter, Best Friends Animal Society's Project Leader said that she faces this sort of "bump in the road" all the time when introducing TNR programs to small towns. She stated that it takes baby steps to get people who have no understanding of a TNR program to come along to the whole concept of TNR. She's familiar with people wanting immediate "removal" of the felines in situations like these and says it takes many meetings and a show by example to convince towns like these to understand that it's a necessity to return the cats.
The two locations that did step forward were outside the city limits of Randolph and were provided feral housing, feeding station/s and will receive a limited supply of food to help enable them to help these cats with their transition.
"We are still in need of relocation areas," said Linda. "We are looking for caretakers who, will open their homes for some very adoptable little guys and gals, and outdoor locations that can provide temperature controlled shelter, and provide food, water, and a whole lot of love, daily.
The process of TNR is not as simple as it sounds. It takes extensive planning, patience and knowledge. "You want to make certain you don't capture a mother who is still nursing their young, for example. You need to find the kittens and place them with her or release her until you can find them." says Linda R. Blakely, Director of RVAS. "There's alot more involved to TNR, then just setting a trap and catching a cat.."
Several individual volunteers from each rescue group participated , including Best Friends Animal Society, Feline Friendz, Hearts United for Animals, Alley Cat Allies, and many other individuals stepped forth to help with whatever was needed from Transporting needs, to assisting veterinarians, to in-home care. One Randolph cat, Clairese rescued weeks prior gave birth to 7 kittens on Wednesday Evening. Clairese and her young kits are doing fine and will be up for adoption by Feline Friendz in Nebraska.
"Hopefully people will read this story and realize that this is an entire community that these rescue groups helped," says Linda R. Blakely, "not just a few cats here and there. We are hoping that this sets an example of how to control and maintain a feral cat situation humanely and effectively. The ultimate goal would be to educate on how to prevent your community to become overwhelmed with the same problem Randolph, Iowa has."
Donations are vital to making all of this happen. Your contribution will go directly to provide for the needs of the cats being rescued, many who are ill and will need simple antibiotics and will need a supply of food to adjust to their relocations. |
