by Lorraine Monfils
Trust for many animals does not come easy, especially if they have been taken out of an environment that has not been the best. Every day cats are being born out in the elements not knowing the human touch or what it is like to live a carefree happy healthy life. They are born under sheds, in old vehicles, in culverts, wherever their mother can find shelter. They are born in the dead of winter with no hopes for survival.
Some survive. Many do not. Those that survive do whatever it takes. If they are lucky they find a place where someone will help them and feed them and give them shelter. These cats are what we know as feral cats. They come to eat and leave – they are not cats that can be touched or handled unless, of course, you have time and patience enough to gain their trust.
Please remember these cats did not ask to be born, they are the product of people not neutering or spaying their cats. While I realize getting an animal altered is expensive, everyone needs to do their homework and know whether they can afford this before they get a pet. If you can’t afford to alter your pet, please do not get one for the sake of the animal.
To many people stray cats are a nuisance and they just want them gone while others go above and beyond to help these poor animals.
There is the lady that lives on the very busy road who worries about every stray that comes into her yard. She feeds them all and yes even gets them altered so they cannot reproduce. She leaves her garage door open just enough so they can go in and have shelter from the weather. Right now she is worried about a pregnant female crossing the very busy road. She has fixed a place for the cat to have her babies hoping that she will oblige and stay where it is safe so no harm will come to her.
Then there is the angel that has a barn full of feral cats, all of them altered and all very healthy. This individual also goes above and beyond and makes sure her guests have full bellies and shelter. Can she afford to do this? Not really but she feels she has no other choice. She cannot just walk away. She cares too much.
Then there are the ladies that feed feral cat colonies — they trap, neuter and release. They watch out for these cats. If they need medical attention, they pay for it out of their own pockets. They have grown to love these cats and will do whatever it takes. Again this is something they choose to do; there is no walking away, they too care too much.
These ladies stand out from the rest. They have a drive and a commitment that cannot be swayed; they do whatever it takes. There are no shortcuts and there are no easy answers, they just do it because it is in their blood to save lives, not take them. They have been bitten and scratched, they have gotten up in the wee hours of the night to check on these cats, they have cried when they have lost one, and they have even set up game cameras so they can make sure there are no predators out there that could hurt the cats. They are truly amazing people. They make me very proud to be associated with them. They have taught me so much and I am in awe of their commitment and drive.
We love you and we say keep up the good work, you are making a difference one life at a time. We need more people in the world like you.
Please join us for a bake sale outside Hollywood Pet Salon Aug. 9 and Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
