TOWNSEND — A Townsend cat rescue is working to control the community’s feral cat population while finding homes for kittens and cats that can be adopted.
Townsend Cat Rescue and Network has been doing the work for about six years. Co-founder Suzie Conroy estimates the group has helped spay, neuter, vaccinate or adopt out around 1,000 cats during that time.
The rescue says there are at least five feral cat colonies around Townsend. One colony alone has about 35 cats.
A major part of the group’s mission is trap-neuter-release, commonly called TNR. Cats are trapped, taken to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered and then returned to their colonies when appropriate. The goal is to prevent the colonies from continuing to grow.
For that approach to work, Conroy said it is important to reach as many cats in a colony as possible. If some remain unaltered, they can continue reproducing and adding to the population.
The group works with veterinarians and at times takes as many as 30 cats to a clinic in Livingston for care.
But not every cat it encounters is returned. Cats and kittens that can be socialized are also fostered and eventually put up for adoption.
Townsend Cat Rescue and Network is a rescue rather than a traditional animal shelter, meaning it does not have a large facility where it can house cats in bulk. Instead, it relies on foster homes and community partners.
One of those partners is Reading Leaves bookstore in Townsend. The business hosts events for the rescue and provides space for kittens to interact with customers. That socialization can help prepare the kittens for adoption while giving potential adopters a chance to meet them.
“When these kittens are all adopted, then that frees up our space to help other kittens,” Conroy said. “You see so many free kittens being posted, and it’s just, it’s heartbreaking.”
For Conroy, addressing the feral cat population is ultimately about more than controlling the numbers.
“These animals matter, their precious little lives, that it’s not their fault that this happened to them,” Conroy said. “It’s a human problem. It’s not a cat problem, and you know, every kitten season is just crazy.”
The group is now working toward becoming an official 501(c) nonprofit organization.
Those interested in learning more, viewing the rescue’s wishlist or finding ways to help can visit the Townsend Cat Rescue and Network Facebook page. Donations toward veterinary care can also be made through Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic.
