VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1

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Q: I have been feeding a stray colony for over a year and recently someone is removing and throwing out my bowls and shelters. What can I do?

A: This is one of the most difficult and troubling areas in dealing with feral cats near public areas. It is not the cats, but those animals with two legs that don't understand the issues. People want the problem to go away and they think that not feeding the stray is the answer? Well here are some suggestions.
1) I assume TNR (Trap Neuter Release) is being used in for the colony maintenance.
2) If you know who it is, try and talk with them to see what the real issue is and see

if there is a compromise that can resolve it. If they see that the problem is being handled with TNR maybe they will back off or better yet get them involved.
3) Contact the property managers if possible to explain the situation and get permission to feed in this area or close by. Move the feeding area to a more secluded spot if possible.
4) Don't leave the food out all the time and keep the area clean. Food left out all night will draw in other wild animals which is undesirable. Leave just enough food for the colony; don't over feed.
5) Look for new sites for the colony and slowly move the feeding locations toward the new area.

This question came from one of the caregivers I work with and we are trying some of these suggestions and others. So far we do not have a clear idea who is causing the trouble. It is a business complex and we have permission from the property owner and the business leasing the property. The problem is from an adjacent office complex. We will hand out info sheets next to get support from the businesses in the area and maybe hear from the person causing problems. The shelters have been removed and feeding is scheduled. Unfortunately no other locations are possible. I will have more updates in future columns. 

Have a question for Trapper John? Send an email to info@folsomfelines.org.

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In the summer of 2002, Jennifer began checking the Web for other rescue groups as she was dissatisfied with the group she was working with. She discovered Folsom Feline Rescue (FFR) through its website and was very pleased with the feral and the SNYP (spay/neuter your pet) programs at FFR. She joined FFR right away after talking to John Bennett, co-founder of the group. 

She immediately volunteered to be Feral Cat Coordinator and Grant Writer for FFR. She sent out 150 letters of interest to prospective funding sources and she sent out 25 letters of interest to celebrities known to donate to animal welfare causes. She wrote 4 grants and is now working on another 6 grant applications using her extensive background and experience working on grants for the Salvation Army. In January 2003, just 6 months after she joined the group, she accepted the position of Vice President of FFR and also a position on the Board of Directors.

I asked Jennifer what she sees in the future for FFR. She said, "I see big things for FFR. I think we are going to expand spay and neuter programs for ferals and for pets. We will get more grant money. I think the organization will grow and serve most of Sacramento County, not just the limited area we serve now. I have big goals for FFR."

With experienced and dedicated volunteers like Jennifer Nitrio, Folsom Feline Rescue will not just meet these goals, but will exceed them.