Not only helping with TNR, but also adopting out the strays and kittens.
By Jennifer Hayes: Best Friends NetworkWalk into the Shadow Cats shelter and you enter facility totally designed with cats in mind. Everywhere there are baskets, ramps, beds, and plenty of nooks and crannies designed to please even the pickiest feline friend. In fact, their cage-free living space even includes a couple television sets, which play a variety of feline oriented videos and movies. It’s a wonder that the residents agree to share some office space with their human caretakers.
Feral Cat Management, Education, and AdoptionsShadow Cats began about ten years ago and gained its’ non profit status in February 2003. Their focus is to educate the public on TNR (trap, neuter, release) and colony management. Their mission is to humanely control feral cat overpopulation in the Round Rock and Austin areas.
Since October 2004, the organization has taken on the responsibility of maintaining several colonies of feral cats. The largest colony is the Sinclair Project, an area which accommodated hundreds of starving, and often ill, cats prior to their arrival. Thanks to Shadow Cats, a dedicated team of volunteer trappers and feeders have taken on the challenge of sterilizing and caring for this sizable group. In fact, the organization has spayed and neutered well over 300 cats from this colony alone; preventing countless additional litters from being born, further compounding the problem. Their work has really made a difference and now that many of the cats have been fixed and receive regular meals, social cats and kittens placed into the Adoption Program, the health of the colony has improved significantly and the overall numbers of the colony has reduced. Unfortunately, due to the transient nature of many of the locations, and continued dumping of cats, organization Founder and President Sheila Smith says “We’re probably never going to be done there.”
Shadow Cats encourages members of the community to take part in TNR in their own neighborhoods. The first Monday of every month, they host a trapping class at the shelter from 6:30-7:30 PM, which is free of charge and open to the public to attend. For those who do not own live traps, the organization loans their own out, with a $50 fully refundable deposit. They also suggest various resources for people to utilize when trapping ferals and strays in their own areas; such as free spay/neuter clinics and online methods of rehoming kittens and socialized cats.
As with other colonies being managed, Shadow Cats obtains many socialized strays and kittens. Rather than returning them to the colony again with the ferals after they have been fixed, instead they are taken to the shelter and made available for adoption to the public. The shelter itself has only been open on weekends; however, recently they have begun to allow potential adopters in on weekdays with appointments. The shelter also has an outreach program and offers offsite adoptions at the Round Rock PetSmart store on the first and fourth Saturday of every month from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM.
Neighborhood Sweeps 
Shadow Cats has about 70 committed volunteers, many of whom are responsible for feeding the colony cats, trapping, caring for the cats at the shelter, and fundraising. However the organization has an additional group of dedicated teenage volunteers. They begin by creating original flyers, which highlight a particular shelter need, such as cat food or litter. After it has been approved, the kids canvas various area subdivisions to distribute the leaflets. If no one is home the flyer is dropped off, requesting that the requested supplies be left curbside on a designated day. If someone answers the door, the resident not only receives a flyer, but also an education about Shadow Cats and the services they provide. On supply pickup day, the teens once again visit the neighborhood, collect the donations, and deliver them to the shelter. This much needed resource has proved to be invaluable when supplies run low, which happens regularly since they are responsible for providing the daily food for hundreds of cats.
Growth and Events 
Shadow Cats’ past work has been extraordinary, but they are hoping to take it to the next level. The organization has just hired an Executive Director, as well as a Shelter Manager. This is the first time the group has employed people in management positions, and with these two new additions, it is hoped the shelter will be able to grow and accomplish further community outreach.
Shadow Cats is hosting a special fundraiser this Sunday, June 24; Night of El Gato. Not only will there be a vegetarian Mexican buffet at Baby Acapulco Restaurant (9505 Stonelake Blvd in Austin), but there will also be live music, a silent auction, and other special surprises promised. The event will be from 6:00 – 9:00 PM and tickets are $50 each. There are a limited number of seats available, so please call 512-350-7065 or e-mail Sgk917@aol.com for reservations. Benefits such as this help Shadow Cats continue their mission of TNR, colony care, and pet adoptions. Donations are tax deductible.
The organization is also currently raffling a silver “iPawd.” Shuffle with a 1GB memory that can hold up to 240 songs. Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 and a winner will be announced Monday, August 6th.
Shadow Cats must be doing something right. The organization has spayed and neutered well over 1,500 cats since its inception and continues to do more weekly. They also have a strict adoption procedure, which has proved to be successful and has resulted in an extremely low return rate. It is without doubt that many area cats are living much better lives due to Shadow Cats’ care and concern for their wellbeing.
How you can help: 
Shadow Cats2111 Sam Bass Rd.
Suite 2000-B
Round Rock, TX 78681
Phone: 512-388-3909
• Shadow Cats continually requires cat food and litter, not only for the shelter cats, but also to provide to the volunteers who maintain the colonies. The organization’s feeders supply food for over 400 cats daily and the trappers must care for animals up to a week after undergoing sterilization surgery before re-releasing the ferals.
• Additional trappers are always needed, not only for their current colonies, but so that the organization can assist individuals with overpopulation issues in their neighborhoods. Shadow Cats will teach TNR basics, so experience is not necessary, only a love for cats and eagerness to help.
• Money is always needed for their many vet bills. In addition to spaying and neutering all of the animals that go through their program, they also have many cats that come to them with medical issues.
Donations can be made directly to Shadow Cats via check, PayPal or even automatic monthly debits. They also have an Adopt-a-Vet-Bill Program, where payments may be made directly to their vet’s office,
Central Texas Cat Hospital.
For more information about feral cats and TNR:•
Best Friends Feral Cat Resources•
Best Friends: Living in the Gray Zone•
No More Homeless Pets: Taming Feral Cats•
Alley Cat Allies•
Alley Cat RescuePhoto credit: all photos by Jennifer Hayes.
Lead Photo: Kasey and Brando, both are currently available for adoption.
Photo #2: Treasurer of the Shadow Cats Board of Directors, Sally Lucker, gives Tabitha a kiss.
Photo #3: Angel takes a moment away from watching “An American Tail” to pose for a photo.
Photo #4: Daisy checks things out from on top of the cat furniture.
Photo #5: Teen Volunteer, Becca Rice, came to the shelter for flyers, but took a moment to play with Baxterina.
Photo #6: Riley takes a rest on one of the shelters comfy couches.
Photo #7: Volunteer Wendy Williams holding Andy the cat, who had been rescued in Dallas.