Joe has lived on his three acres for more than fifty years as the city grew around his property. It is also home to the feral cats that find some protection among the old cars, tractors, and appliances that litter the property.
Joe has fed the cats for years, often with the help of the occasional deer he was able to shoot. It wasn’t always enough as the colony continued to grow.
When Joe called Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals to see if we could help, he mentioned that there might be three or four cats to trap in order to get them some medical attention as well as the spay/neuter service that we provide.
When we arrived with a few traps, opening cat food and pushing the cans to the back, cats literally flew into the cages, hungrily gulping food as fast as they could. That first time, our crew captured 19 cats; in the ensuing days, we captured 26 more.
Like many feral cat colony caretakers, Joe loves these cats but is unable to feed and manage them consistenty It saddens him to witness their deteriorating condition, but without the resources to manage the colony, he can only watch helplessly from his small home.
Unfortunately, these cats had been suffering from malnutrition for a long time, and some of them had such badly matted fur that we had to shave them completely. All the cats were altered, vaccinated, checked for more serious medical issues, and returned to Joe’s care.
We regularly deliver cat food to Joe compliments of Merrick Pet Foods. Joe is thankful to us and has been able to donate to our organization in gratitude.
Cats are resilient, and with medical attention and consistent good nutrition, Joe’s companions will survive, and he can relax a bit while keeping a watch for any problems. He calls us periodically to tell us how well the cats are doing.
This is why we do what we do. Thank you for helping us.
