The C.A.R.E. program

Here is an article, written by an A.R.F. volunteer, which best describes C.A.R.E.

It started out with just a few wondering strays. Through the years they have multiplied to a colony of about 60 or so stray cats finding comfort around the facility where I work. I work for one of the largest companies in Orlando. The complex is surrounded by several hundred acres of land. A number of employees see the feral (wild) cats as a nuisance but most find them a comforting addition to the work environment. It has taken more than 2 years and a lot of volunteering to get the feral cat population somewhat under control. Management has never really complained about the stray cats outside the buildings until they recently realized that they have developed into a large colony. In their desperate attempt to be rid of these multiplying strays, they considered contacting a pest/critter control company that would eventually bring these company-bound strays to a local animal control facility where their short lives would be put to an end.

I have always been an advocate for animal protection and animal welfare and could not turn a blind eye to this issue. I realized I had to act fast and responsibly to develop a solution that would benefit the large company/facility where I work as well as these deserving beings. I started my mission by humanely trapping several of the cats, a couple at a time, to get them spayed and neutered so their numbers would not grow. After about a handful of spay and neuter surgeries and most of my bank account gone, I had to come up with a better plan; one that would not leave me bankrupt at the age of 26.

I found out through the local animal control office that there was an actual program set up that was assisting Orange County citizens in the much-needed task of spaying and neutering stray and feral cats. I could not have heard better news. It was like finding out there was really a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow and getting to it before everyone else did. The program is called CARE Feline Rescue. It was started by a group of dedicated concerned individuals who knew the problem of pet overpopulation had to come to an end. CARE Feline Rescue, Inc. is a local, all-volunteer non-profit group that formed in 1995. The program works in conjunction with Orange County Animal Services to help solve cat “problems” in a non-lethal manner. They loan traps to individuals to humanely catch cats and then schedule appointments at Orange County’s Spay and Neuter Clinic. The service is free to Orange County residents only. Individuals who are concerned about the cats take the responsibility to catch, transport, pick up and provide care for the cats, and I was that person when it came to the cats at my work place. CARE Feline Rescue’s effective program is referred to as Trap-Neuter-Release. This is a process that has been used for a number of years in other countries. It is gaining popularity across this country as a viable alternative to lethal control of feral and homeless cats. The cats are caught in humane traps, altered by a veterinarian, given their shots, and returned to the area in which they were trapped. The only other method to control the feral/homeless cat population is to kill them. IT SIMPLY HASN’T WORKED!

There are more unwanted, free roaming cats everywhere each year. Studies and statistics from animal control departments show that killing only rids the area of the existing cats, and usually not all of them. Within six months to a year, new cats have moved into the area, remaining cats have continued to breed, and the cycle starts all over again.

I started trapping the cats on a regular basis and arranging for them to get altered and vaccinated through the CARE program. To date I have trapped, spayed and neutered a little more than 40 company cats and kittens. I have become known as the “Cat Lady” or “Trapper Lady” at work, names I find amusing. Sometimes other employees and I find litters of kittens from a few hard to trap cats while walking in and out of work. I take these kittens home and work on getting them accustomed to people so I can eventually find them responsible, compassionate homes with people who are willing and ready to take on a new member of the family.

It has now been 3 years and I still make attempts to trap and alter the 10 or so last “hard to get” strays at work so the vicious cycle won’t start up again. I have also relocated more than 30 of the altered cats to various farms, at the company’s request, to relieve them of the high number of cats living on company property. I have been fortunate enough to find homes for the friendly ones and all the lucky kittens. There are now a little more than 20 that reside here. They can find some comfort in getting fed daily by a small team of dedicated employees who buy the food at their own expense. They also are provided fresh drinking water daily and plenty of bushes to call home. In return, they keep pests like rats and mice under control around the work facility. They also give employees hope that there is always a compromising solution if you look hard enough for it and are dedicated to carrying it out until the end.

Thanks to CARE Feline Rescue and an understanding company, I go home with a smile on my face knowing that all this effort is paying off for a few lucky felines whose time was almost up.

For more information call:
CARE Feline Rescue Spay/Neuter Service
(407) 522-2617

http://www.carefelinerescue.org

RAIN Contact Information

Telephone (407) 620-9736
Postal address  P.O. Box 608221 Orlando, FL. 32860-8221
 

 

Please Select Rescuing Animals In Need from the 'Choose Your Rescue' list

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH19961
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE
OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE
(800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY
ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE