cat rescue and shelter
Sharon Talbert
under-the-table, and skittish about public exposure. Reason? Society=20
here does not necessarily smile on "cat ladies," who on the whole are=20
treated with benign disdain and who at the worst are arrested for their=20
efforts.
A national group that is dedicated to the humane management of feral cat=20
colonies is called Alley Cat Allies. I don't believe they are on=20
internet, but their mailing address is PO Box 397, Mt Rainier, MD=20
(Maryland) 20712. They are an information group, sending generous=20
packets of handouts dealing with topics such as how to trap, handle=20
(including notes to the vet), and socialize, how to build small shelters=20
for feral colonies, research findings on impact of feral cats on=20
environment, and so on. This is the only group I know that is dedicated=20
soley to the feral cat.
An organization dedicated to animal rescue that surfs the internet is
called DELTA (Dedicated to the Everlasting Lost of Animals). Leo Grillo
is your contact there. He will probably respond directly to your posting,
but his address is lgr...@earthlink.net. I've found Leo to be very open
and helpful.=20
Another is National Pet Alliance, PO Box 53385, San Jose, CA 95153. The
contact is Karen Johnson, who has prepared a very good report on
trap/alter/release programs that is available on the net. Karen's address
is Kare...@aol.com.=20
My tiny organization is dedicated to the humane management of feral cats
on Univ Washington campus in Seattle. We trap, test of FeLV/FIV,
sterialize, ear-tip (for recognition in the field), innoculate for rabies,
and release healthy, unadoptable cats to their colony, where they are
supported throughout their (generally short) lives. Kittens are taken
into foster care until socialized and healthy and are then placed in
responsible homes. We also contribute to the community by advising
citizens who wish to help abandoned/feral cats in their own neighborhood.=
=20
Other groups dedicated to the general welfare of animals (though not
necessarily friendly to feral cats) are PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare
Society) and the many humane societies scattered throughout the country.=20
They may be more what you had in mind, as their common primary mission is
rescuing animals (generally abandoned/abused pets) and placing them in
responsible homes. The PAWS local address is 15305 - 44th Ave W,
Lynnwood, WA (I am sorry; I don't have the Zip Code). I understand their
national office will be moving to Seattle in the future.=20
Good luck in your search. Feel free to get back to me if you have
questions about Friends of Campus Cats, such as it is. I would be
grateful to hear more about what you find, as I am involved in the rescue
network here in Seattle and would like to share the information
(particularly where it relates to the humane management of feral cat
colonies).=20
Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats
Univ Wash, Seattle
On 24 Sep 1995, Johnt wrote:
> I=B9m seeking information about cat rescue organisations. I have a friend
> who, with a few other people (in Sydney Australia), traps, desexes and
> vaccinates homeless cats and then keeps them until homes can be found.
> They are trying to set up a national and international network of
> likeminded people. If you can supply me with information (name, postal
> address, telephone, etc) I=B9ll pass it on. =20
>=20
> I read about a place called Safe Harbor for Animals in Sommerville MA but
> couldn=B9t get any more information, ie no address, etc.
>=20
>=20