The March Snip & Tip was another success as shown by these incredible numbers: 167 cats trapped and brought in to the March Clinic; 77 males; 90 females. How absolutely fancattastic! But, it’s always a struggle to keep this volunteer event going on a regular basis in order to really make a difference.
There was a chance that the monthly Snip & Tip Feral Cat Clinic was going to have to be postponed in April because Director, Sara Felmlee had a difficult time securing enough doctors to fill the February and March clinics. After talking to two dedicated Veterianians, Dr. Burgess and Dr. Merritt, about how many kittens would be born if the clinic did not happen in April (the dreaded “kitten season”) horrible feelings of guilt began to take hold and the Snip & Tip crew are pulling out all stops to secure an April clinic.
Although Sara Felmlee is happy to announce that the wonderful Jill Burgess. DVM and Elizabeth Merritt, DVM signed up for next month - vets are still needed! If you are a Vet or know a Vet that can volunteer three hours of time to Spay and Neuter these ferals so that the Spring kittenkaboodle will not be as intense this year, please contact Sara at neuterit@aol.com.
Also, the program is desperately looking for a new “air conditioned” building to continue their fantastic and most needed work. Mid-TN summers are VERY hot, and the current clinic is held in a building which lacks central air or heat. After the April 27th clinic, a new location must be found. If you know of any location that would be available, please contact Sara Felmlee at neuterit@aol.com.
On a very personal note, one TN Feral Caregiver was thrilled to have found Snip & Tip. After spending thousands of dollars of personal funds, this caretaker decided to give the free clinic (of course donations are always accepted) a try! This letter speaks volumes about the service this one of a kind clinic provides Mid-TN and surrounding areas.
“I just wanted to say thank you to all the volunteers for the great service that the Snip & Tip program provides!! I am a caregiver to a feral colony that at one time had over 100 cats. Over the past 5 years, I have personally fed these cats, taken them to a vet for medical care when they were sick or injured, as well as spayed & neutered them and returned them back to their colony. I paid for all of this with no help from any one except for about 5 or 6 "People for Animals" discount coupons during this entire time. I have easily spent thousands of dollars out of my own pocket trying to reduce the feral population without euthanizing them. While I have finally gotten the colony population down to approximately 30 feral cats, I was at a point of despair. I have used up almost all of my savings and my vet has increased their fees for spays/neuters recently. I had no way to try to finally stop this colony from breeding. Without your Snip & Tip program, and all the volunteers that provide of their time and skills, I wouldn't have been able to stop a population explosion.
When I brought 4 feral cats this past Sunday, I was a bit nervous! Although some of the feral cats that I care for are so wild that I cannot touch them, they are still my babies. I had no idea what to expect when I dropped them off and worried that they might not receive quality care. I was so relieved to see how wonderful you all were! You even monitored one of my cats after surgery since he had difficulty when waking.
I hope each of the volunteers understands how much of an impact they make in the lives of others and all the feral cats they care for. You are truly a blessing and I thank you!” Jon Vaden, TN Feral Caregiver
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
To Volunteer or Help Find an Alternate Space, please contact Sara Felmlee at:
neuterit@aol.com
Story by Kim Cady
Photography Courtesy of Kathy O'Brien-Streets