When recent flood waters rose behind a Gwinnett County business located along the Chattahoochee River, its inhabitants came streaming out. Dozens of cats and kittens of all ages and sizes had taken up residence there and had to flee the rising waters. Though the flood waters have receded, the drama along many streams and rivers in Georgia continues.
Companion Animal Rescue League (CARL) has come to the aid to more than 50 of these felines. Thus far, 36 feral adults have been trapped, then spayed or neutered and returned to their colony. This practice is known as TNR—Trap, Neuter, Return. They will remain in their home territory, no longer adding to the population of unwanted pets.
Along with the adult cats, more than 20 kittens were rescued. Most have medical issues including upper respiratory infections and intestinal parasites. Many are requiring fluids for dehydration, and tests and medications to diagnose and treat their illnesses. Sadly, despite CARL’s best efforts and several expensive vet visits, two of these babies were too ill to survive. The others, fortunately, appear to be on the road to a full recovery, and are being fostered by CARL members and volunteers.
The veterinarians CARL is working with have been gracious enough to reduce their fees; but even with these concessions, the vet bills continue to mount at an alarming rate. Due to the generosity of CARL supporters, current vet bills are covered. However, once all of these kittens are healthy, CARL will face the expense of having them spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.
If you’d like to adopt any of these kittens, please go to the CARL site on Petfinder.com, or mail carl@mail2help.com, or call 770-217-3699. These kittens and other rescued cats and dogs will also be available for adoption on weekends at the PetSmart located at Medlock Bridge Road and McGinnis Ferry Road in Johns Creek. Monetary donations can be made via PayPal on the Petfinder site or by mail to CARL at P.O. Box 957496, Duluth, GA 30095.
CARL is a non-profit 501(c)(3) animal rescue group in Duluth, Georgia formed approximately 6 years ago and made up entirely of volunteers. They do not operate a shelter but use volunteer foster homes to house and care for the pets in their program. All of their pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and tested for heartworms (dogs) or FIV/FeLV (cats) prior to adoption. Most pets are also microchipped. Click here to find out more about CARL.
Kathe Dotson has been a volunteer with CARL since 2006 – serving as a foster parent, Board member and Secretary.
Photo Credits: Photo of kittens taken by Joy Barbour. Photo of feral cats taken by Kathe Dotson.