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500 Plus Cats Living in California Colony

March 26, 2009, 1:40PM MT

By Cheri Moon

Two selfless volunteers working to make a difference through TNR

Two selfless volunteers working to make a difference through TNR

by Shawn Burcham, Best Friends Network Volunteer

Driving into Swan Lake Mobile Home Park in Mira Loma, California, you might think it looks like a typical trailer park. Upon closer inspection; however, you will discover hundreds of green or orange eyes, glinting suspiciously from beneath shrubs and porches.

Behind some mobile homes, you’ll find laundry baskets filled with towels, and bowls filled with kibble, even though feeding stray animals is prohibited. And more than likely, after looking around, you might find a cat or two—or 500.

It’s an Emergency!
Nearly a year ago, Best Friends’ member, Beth Kohler read an article about the cat colony at Swan Lake Mobile Home Park. The park was overrun with an estimated 500–600 cats resulting from 10 years of owner abandonment and the lack of a trap/neuter/return (TNR) program. Park management was threatening to capture and euthanize the cats when Kohler pounced into action.

Over the last year, Kohler and fellow feline rescuer, Ray Deese, have helped nearly 100 cats out of Swan Lake, and have had them altered, adopted or relocated—out of their own pocketbooks.

During this time, they were working with the mobile home park management and animal control to receive assistance. After several months of negotiations, their perseverance finally paid off. And who would guess that the help would come in the form of yet another trailer moving into the park?

Help on Wheels
On Monday, March 16, 2009, animal control’s 55-foot mobile state-of-the-art veterinary trailer, deemed “The Answer on Wheels,” rolled into Swan Lake. It was the first time animal control had made a volume rescue operation at the park. The goal was to humanely trap the felines and have animal control alter, microchip and vaccinate as many cats as possible in four days.

The volunteers had received short notice that animal control was coming, leaving them little time to recruit additional help. A scant four volunteers worked into the wee hours of the morning trapping, delivering and adopting or releasing approximately 120 cats. A very successful venture, but their work is not quite complete.

Finding Forever Homes
Kohler is now working to find homes for the cats who are understandably fearful, but friendly. As of March 22, six cats had been adopted and many calls were coming in from people wanting to meet the felines.

Cathy Ramsey, another Best Friends member, took 10 cats that tested FIV positive to her farm.

Though Kohler has fostered nearly 50 kittens, this year there will be a great many more, and space is a problem.

For the future, getting a handle on things and saving more cats is the goal. Animal control has agreed to spay and neuter five cats a week, as long as someone brings them in.

Looking back on the past year, Kohler says, “It was a long hard struggle, but worth every minute.”

How You Can Help

? Contact Beth Kohler to foster or adopt a cat or kitten, or to take cats to be spayed/neutered.

? Join the Feral Cat Campaign on the Best Friends Network.

?For more information about community cats and resources to aid cats in your area, click here.

Photographs provided by Beth Kohler
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Comments

Posted March 30, 2009, 11:36PM by carrie_fosters

Wow. Excellent job everyone!

Posted April 01, 2009, 12:46PM by justice4cats

Oh Beth this is such a great accomplishment. You have made a difference in many lives.

Posted March 31, 2009, 1:47PM by Kelly4cats

I live in the wrong state otherwise I'd bring my traps and help catch those frolicking felines. I just tnr'd my 26th feral in a month. Its a great feeling to improve so many lives and prevent so many kittens from suffering and dying out there. I hope they can recruit more trappers and fosters soon. They should post flyers around town and explain how their group and the shelter is working together to help the cats and they need tnr help. Good luck to you guys. ps KFC chicken works great for bait!

Posted April 01, 2009, 11:6AM by laytoncats

I'm so proud to know you Beth! Great job and thank you all for saving these kitties from needless suffering. You are living proof that angels walk among us!!!!!!!!!

Posted March 30, 2009, 6:35PM by Georgebailey47

Beth, Ray and everyone else,

Keep up the great work. God Bless you for caring!

Posted March 31, 2009, 12:41AM by islandcat

Way to go Beth & Ray. I have told you before you are my hero. The kitties are imprinting nicely especially Buster and Ricky.
You two Rock.