Pam's TNR Blog - October 16th through October 31st

These last couple of weeks have been busy ones. Let's see, we had National Feral Cat weekend, and mobile clinics in Avondale and Buckeye. All this while trying to make October our biggest month ever - TNR'ing over 1,000 feral cats.

The photo to the right is of cats in Avondale before the trapping.

Saturday 10/16 and Sunday 10/17

We did 191 cats during this Feral Cats Day weekend - just shy of the target of 200 cats. This was at four different clinics. I trapped a total of 21 cats for 10/16. There were two clinics on 10/16 and two on 10/17. This required a lot of scheduling and, of course trapping. We were now on target for over 1,000 cats in October.

Sunday 10/17 - Friday 10/22

I caught three more cats overnight and took them to the Tempe clinic on Sunday, 10/17. I released cats at all three locations that morning before heading to Tempe where I waited to collect the cats after surgery (trying to save myself another trip).

Monday, 10/18, began taking stragglers from the Tempe clinic on 10/17 to the vet. These cats would be released at two locations on 10/19 before heading to Avondale in the afternoon to trap and transport at four locations.  I'd be releasing the last three cats fixed that day. The Healing Hearts mobile was helping us spay and neuter cats in outlying areas. We had decided to focus on Avondale and Buckeye as there were many caregivers waiting for assistance. This week it would be Avondale. The mobile was parking at Grant's shop in N. Phoenix and we'd be hauling the cats in to town. We ended up with a total of 59 cats from Avondale and Cashion (a place I never knew existed!). Traps were set overnight at three locations and Suzie would be driving there in the morning to pick up the stragglers (most traps were filled!). Then, the rain started but fortunately were were able to hold the cats inside. All told we did 62 cats that day on the mobile - trying to stay dry. Thank you Grant for letting the mobile park at your shop.

We hauled the cats to my garage for aftercare and headed back to Avondale to trap again that night. We caught more cats in Avondale that night and over night. This was a total of 50 cats from the one caregiver. Every single cat had been fixed. We released all 59 cats at the four locations and I headed back to the mobile this time parked in E. Phoenix with 13 cats We had spayed and neutered a total of 72 cats on this what would be end up being a four day adventure. These 13 cats would be picked up and after cared and released on Friday.

Thank you Healing Hearts for helping us fix all these cats. You are the best!

Sunday 10/24 - Tuesday 10/26

I worked at the regular Sunday clinic in Tempe this week. The clinic was overbooked as usual so we can fill up every available spot. Well, much to our surprise, we had 20 cats too many. I'd be hauling these 20 cats to the vet on Monday, 10/25. The vet was smiling when I got there. There were a total of 27 cats at the clinic in N. Phoenix on Monday and he was happy to see them. These 20 cats would need to be after cared and released in the AM.

Tuesday 10/26

After releasing the 20 cats back, cleaning out the traps, and delivering them to the trapper, it was time to wash my own traps in preparation for the next exciting adventure in Buckeye (thank you Bill). We had arranged for the mobile to go to Buckeye to spay and neuter what would end up being a total of 70 cats (and eight dogs!). This one would be a real challenge. The location of about 20+ miles south of the I-10 past Rainbow Valley. Talk about the end of the road...and it was a dirt road too. However, it was navigable. Clearly this was a dumping group for unwanted cats and dogs. There were many abandoned homes and dairies too. This felt like the "back of beyond"...or the end of nowhere. We had about 55 traps on board figuring kittens could be doubled up.

As we drove up we say a lot of dogs too all isolated in large pens. A lot of the cats were also confined in large enclosures to protect them not only from each other (breeding) but from coyotes. We arrived early as it would be a long drive home that night. We managed to trap most of the cats and the caregivers would handle the overnight trapping allowing us to leave shortly after dusk. The mobile was to arrive around 7:00 AM the next day and we wanted to be there before they got there.

Wednesday 10/27

The mobile arrived at 7:00 AM. We were already there with cats ready to be loaded on the van. When the vet saw all the unsterilized dogs, she said "we have to fix them too". So in between fixing 69 cats that day they managed to fix eight dogs as well for a total of 77 animals. They left at 5:30 PM and hardly took a break all day. The caregiver made us lunch, wonderful vegetarian chili, as we trapped during the day and loaded and unloaded cats off the mobile. The caregiver did managed to catch one more cat on Thursday and brought in into town to be fixed on Friday for a total of 70 cats TNR'd at this location. This was a clear example of what happens when TNR is not done right away before things get seriously out of control. Animal abandonment certainly contributed to this problem as well as the remoteness of the property. My experience in recent months makes we fell there are more than the one million estimated free-roaming cats in Maricopa County according to most recent estimates.

Friday/Saturday 10/29 and 10/30

I could not resist extra vet slots on Saturday morning so we trapped on Friday night. I'd been to this place before and trapped over 20 cats so my expectation were rather low. We ended up trapping only three cats overnight but the clinic still had 27 cats that day.

Sunday 10/31

I worked at the Tempe clinic that day - the last day of October. That night I'd be trapping in downtown Phoenix (a first!) making it as long day but a nice end to a long month. We did make our 1,000 cat goal for October and I'd trapped 224 of them. I was on track to trap over 2,000 cats in 2010.

Now is the time to do TNR. Kitten season is approaching. All those beautiful tortie and calico cats, the true breeding machines, are asking for your help. I can hear them all saying; " please do not let us have yet another litter". They ALL need your help now!

To sign up for the Spay Neuter Hotline's TNR program please call: 602-265-7729 (SPAY) or email: feralcats@adlaz.org

Also, please consider a tax-deductible donation to ADLA. Just $25.00 will help fix one free-roaming cat. Thanks for your support!

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 5 September 2010

Note: Photo courtesy of Molly Wald of Best Friends

There were no clinics on Sunday and Monday due to the Labor Day holiday. I hate holidays! No vets are open and that means no trapping. Suzie and I planned to make up for lost time by trapping on Labor Day night (Monday 9/6) at a restaurant we'd trapped at before. Not my favorite venue but still we'd be out trapping. It was a slow night and we ended up with only two cats. But it was to be a busy week...

Tuesday 9/7

Donna, an acquaintance of mine had contacted me about a neighborhood that had at least 50 cats. She had seen the cats while driving through the neighborhood and decided to be proactive. This was in central Phoenix and was a relatively "upscale" neighborhood in comparison to those we normally frequent. She agreed to find the feeders and fund raise in the neighborhood and Barbara agreed to set up the trapping. Suzie and I would show up with a full arsenal of traps. One always doubts the large number of cats but it has been my experience there is always more than estimated. There were three main feeders and all fortunately had withheld food. Barbara and Suzie started on the biggest colony while I tackled a smaller one behind on the next street. These three caregivers had been feeding these cats for years (while they were breeding out of control) and none of them knew each other or knew that they were also feeding cats - despite the fact that they all lived practically next door to each other. The roaming males must of thought this was nirvana! It is sad but this is often the case in most neighborhoods. We were in the "meet your neighbors mode that night.

After catching quite a few cats we set more traps at each location and all met three doors down from the biggest colony. Here we found at least 10 more cats waiting to eat. This was trapping heaven. All told that night and over night we trapped 47 cats! We be back two more nights to finish the job which would eventually yield 56 cats. Donna spent the night going door-to-door soliciting donations.

...I might mentioned that after a busy night trapping Suzie went back to the restaurant for a second night's trapping. It yielded only one cat. I went home to aftercare the two cats from the night before.

Wednesday 9/8

I picked up stragglers and the one cat caught overnight at the restaurant and dropping off eight cats at the first vet I met up with Suzie at the second vet to drop off 40 more cats (one fortunately agreed to take 40 cats). I'd have those to pick up and aftercare and but before this I went down to set traps at the three locations later that evening.

Thursday 9/9

I checked traps at the three location early in the AM and released the one restaurant cat. We had caught seven more overnight. I left traps for the one caregiver to set that night to catch a few more. I dropped the seven off at the vet before meeting Suzie at my house to pick up the 47 cats for release at the three locations. Sometimes I wish I had that Ford Transit Connect instead of my Element. It would save a LOT of driving. I'd be going home to wash traps to trap that night (after picking up the seven cats at the vet) to trap way out in the W. Valley. The caregiver said she had about 8-12 cats but I'd go prepared for more. Well, 10-12 turned in to 20 over two night of trapping.

Friday 10/10

Early in the AM I set off to pick up the stragglers at the W. Valley location, then pick up two from the third night trapping in central Phoenix. Seven cats still had to be released there also. As I picked up the two cats I discovered one of the cats was giving birth in the trap! This is always a shock but with all the trapping I do it is rather common. The kittens rarely survive as they are usually born early due to the mother's stress. Despite our efforts the kittens did not make it. Fortunately we were able to fix the mother cat. No more litters would be born to this cat that had been breeding out of control for years. I try to remember that "the most painful thing a feral cat will experience is NOT being fixed". I remind caregivers of this when they say "I just cannot stand the thought of the cat being in a trap". I'd be at the vet that day with 18 more cats. What a week so far!

Saturday 9/11

The one caregiver set traps Friday night and I picked up four more (for a total of 20) when I released the 16 in the AM. I had the one cat to release at the Phoenix location (the mother cat was still trying to care for the one surviving kitten although to no avail). She'd be released in a day or so). Another caregiver trapped without a plan and caught the last cat which I picked up on the way to the vet. Both caregivers would be picking up at my house on Sunday as the next day, 9/12, was our monthy high-volume spay day in N. Phoenix. I'd be getting ready for the clinic on Saturday. Suzie was trapping at three locations that night for the Sunday clinic.

There will always be free-roaming cats in the valley. Our goal is to stabilize colonies of cats being fed by caregivers. to do this ALL the cat must be captured and spayed and neutered. It can beas lot of work, especially for larger colonies. A word of advise, if you start feeding a colony of feral cats, be prepared to spend the time, effort and money to fix them. This is huge responsibility on the part of the feeder. You can see from my blogs what can happen if cats are fed - they will breed even more...to a number the food source will sustain. When a colony gets too large inbreeding and disease often take their toll. I rarely see colonies large than 25-30 cats.
Thank you for reading my TNR blog and I hope this one encourages everyone to go out and spread the word about TNR and the importance of spay and neuter. To sign up for our TNR program please call us at: 602-265-2229 (SPAY) or email: feralcats@adlaz.org. We service the metro Phoenix area in Arizona.

Pam's TNR Blog - 27 Aug. thru 5 Sept. 2010

Pam's TNR Blog Update:

You may have noticed that I am months behind on my weekly blogs and those weeks contain a lot of great trapping adventures. There are simply not enough hours in the day to schedule, trap, transport, wash traps, aftercare, fund raise, volunteer at clinics and spread the word about TNR and S/N. However, this last week had some memorable moments I want to share. As of this week I have TNR'd 1310 cats in 2010. Some think I am TNR'ing cats I feed - well, I do not feed feral cats and do not encourage feeding of feral cats unless they are fixed. These 1310 cats represent cats being fed by caregivers I've never met - until I trap for them. Over the years I have met some wonderful caregivers, many I never would have met had I not trapped for them. It is not just about helping cats, it is also helping people who love cats. and making a difference in their lives.

Friday: 27 August

It was a busy week with several trapping jobs. Although weeks normally end on Friday, we had good news - a new vet would be open on Saturdays. We would now at last be a seven day a week operation. Not to allow vet slots to go unused, I set up a job in Cordes Junction. Cordes Junction is about an hour N. of Phoenix off I-17. Storms were looming when Bill and I set off.to trap late in the day. I often go out of town to trap looking for a new adventure. Over the years I've been to Gila Bend, Coolidge, Salome, Prescott Valley, Wickenburg and Aquila, to mention a few. We are so lucky in the Phoenix area to have so many low-cost S/N options that many in outlying areas do not.

The job was at an RV park and was for initially seven cats. A deluge occurred as we approached passed the Blood Basin turnoff. We arrived in Cordes Junction in a downpour. Still, we managed to set some traps set under the RV. We found a nice place to eat in view of the RV and the traps. Within an hour or so we had the mother and all six kittens. There was at least one male left. Traps would be set overnight and we set off for Phoenix. It cleared out later in the evening in time to see a double rainbow as cool raindrops fell - what a relief from the 100+ temperatures in the valley.

Saturday 28 August

I took the seven cats to the new vet in the AM. I was surprised when the vet came out and actually helped me unload the cats from my car! Four other caregivers brought cats that morning. I picked the cats up early in the afternoon for aftercare. The caregiver did not catch the remaining male cat overnight but would try for the next day and I'd pick him up when the seven were returned on Sunday AM. The problem would be I was trapping for 15-20 cats for Sunday's MCACC clinic the next day. This would get tricky...

I set off with a full arsenal of traps that night. Barbara was trapping with me in a rough neighborhood. It was slow going and I was hoping for 20 cats to fill the clinic. After checking traps after dinner it was clear we'd need to look elsewhere for more cats. Cats were not cooperating. A mile or so away I knew of a trailer park with LOTs of cats needing help. We call this "low-hanging fruit". I called the caregiver and we set five traps overnight which were all filled in the morning. The caregiver had fed the cats but I knew we'd catch at least a couple of cats. We also set traps overnight at the first location. I'd be worried as usual, sleeping little, wondering if the traps would be there in the AM...and if they'd be filled. I still had to do aftercare on the cats in from Codes Junction. Sunday would be a very busy day...

Sunday 29 August

I'd be setting off before 5:00 AM to check traps at both locations. Good news was I had cats at both locations for a total of 16 cats for the clinic. I got there at 6:15 AM to unload. From there I'd go home to pick up the seven cats to return to Cordes Junction. I called the caregiver on the way (after stopping at the gas station of course) and he had not just one cat (the male) but two cats trapped! Since I did not want to hold them in the traps until Monday, I called to see if I could get them in late to the Tempe clinic. Good news! The vet agreed to do a couple extra cats - what a relief. Still I'd have to release the seven, pick up the two, and head to Tempe (and stop for gas)I was able to make it in time (by 10:00 AM) and was able to wait at the clinic until they were fixed. I call this "drive by S/N". One was a female the caregiver had not seen before. From there I headed over to the other clinic to pick up the sixteen cats and then home with all 18 cats to be after cared.

Monday 30 August

I set off early to released the 16 cats in town. the first caregiver had trapped again that night and caught one big male. After releasing at both locations, I headed to the vet with the one cat. From there I went home to meet SJ. She went with me to release the two cats in Cordes Juntion and pick u the remaining traps. We could do scheduling and calls in the car with her wireless internet connection. I'd have LOTs of traps to wash for the remainder of the week's trapping...this was only the beginning. I'd only have one cat in the garage that night. It seemed empty.

Tuesday 1 September

I released the one cat that morning. I had planned to pick up two more cats in the area at another MHP across the street where I'd trapped before. There was still one left which I'd try for that night. Fortunately this caregiver could trap on her own. Then, I got a call from someone with a cat in a trap which had to be picked up as well for a total of three cats to take to the vet. I'd have three in today.

That night I met SJ and BG for trapping a big job in Glendale. I had two other trapping jobs in the area to do before meeting them. The was a last minute attempt to TNR cats at an old motel being torn down for a bypass over Grand Ave. and new cats next door at a business where we'd trapped before. It was very spooky seeing the old rooms/apartments and the original adobe building thinking of the history of those who had rented there for probably over 50 years. Pictures still hung on the walls. These cats would be coming back in two days to demolished buildings as they were to be torn down the next day - this was truly a last ditch effort to fix these cats. Still, we had to stop the breeding. There were torties and calicos everywhere when we arrived.

One of my first two jobs was for three cats. The later was just for two males. The former was one of my "high-end" jobs where the caregiver was donating a lot for me to help her. This would help pay for the other job in Glendale. I caught two out of three at this one and caught both males right away at the other job.

Wednesday 2 September

We caught at total of 17 at the motel and adjacent business. I'd have one more from the previous night for a total of 22 cats to go to the vet on Wednesday. Besides delivery there would be pickup and aftercare. I'd have to re-bait traps for the last cat at the "high-end" job that night.. When I am promised a big donation I go the extra distance to make sure ALL cats are caught, even using the drop-trap when desperate. We were using the new vet so we had lots of help loading and unloading cats. What a welcome relief. Even if one lifting step can be avoided, it helps. SJ would trap again that night and caught a total of 10 more cats for Thursday for a total of 27 cats from the motel and adjacent business.

Thursday 3 September

I did catch the one last cat at the high end job overnight and got an even bigger donation than expected. SJ released the last 17 motel cats very early in the morning. I'd be delivering five traps to a caregiver in central Phoenix and setting traps for a lady Grant trapped for the night before. Little did I know that Friday morning would turn in to a lot more than just six cats going to the vet. f course there were the two males and 2 females to release at the two locations that were fixed on Wednesday.

Friday 4 September

I checked traps at Grant's location where he'd already released the two cats from the previous night. I had one cat. I had my drop-trap in the car and tried for one more to no avail. Then I headed downtown to pickup the 5 cats in traps...then set off to Glendale to released the last "high-end" cat and pick up my big donation. It had been a lot of work including several traps to the gas station - but well worth it! Then I got a call from a caregiver that was high-maintenance. They had not caught the mother cat (they hardly tried) they were after. I had been offered a bigger donation for pick up and aftercare of this cat. Well, I found out the 5 kittens were way old enough to TNR as well. I agreed to go by with my drop-trap and caught one kitten. (thinking of the big donation!). I asked the caregiver to try again with my drop-trap that night. Instead, as I was almost to the vet he caught one more kitten. I had to go back there and help him transfer the cat to the trap. I then headed to the vet with 8 cats. Of course there would be the usual aftercare and release the next day.

However, taking advantage of the Saturday clinic once again, I had a 20 cat job that night. I'd trapped there before but there were more there an 10+ at the neighbor on the other side of the alley. Fortunately they were able to do a lot of the trapping. I'd be transporting as they had no vehicle (or $$).

Saturday 4 September

In the early AM I released at the first two locations then headed to the third where I'd asked the caregiver to use my drop-trap to catch the last 4 cats (including the mother cat). He had done nothing! I swung into action. When I got there I helped him trap the mother cat and one kitten. I headed to the other job to pick up 20 cats (they caught them ALL) when he trapped the last two kittens. I headed back down there (again). I dropped off the 22 cats at the vet (20 from the big job and four from the other for a total of 24 cats). Both colonies were done!

There would be aftercare and released of all 24 cats the next morning (Sunday). There was no Tempe clinic that day due to the Labor Day holiday. We would be trapping on Labor Day evening but that will be in another blog if it ever gets written...

New estimates put the number of free-roaming cats at over 700,000 in Maricopa County. We can make a difference. Remember, "it starts with you". If everyone does one small thing each week help feral cats in their area reduce this number substantially.

Consider a $25.00 donation to the Spay Neuter Hotline to help one feral cat. Or, put TNR cards out at you vet or a local business. Talk to co-workers about TNR and how they can help. Donate items to our BIG yard sale in November. Little things make a big difference - they all add up.

To help please call the Hotline at: 602-265-7729 (SPAY).

Or visit our website at: http://www.spayneuterhotline.org/


































I'd be releasing the five cats from the

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 2/28/10

Note: Photo taken after release of 53 cats at the W. side trailer park. Note the perfect eartip!

Saturday/Sunday 2/27 - 2/28

What a wild week this was! We had a special clinic on Sunday to help caregivers in financial need. When I first heard about it I knew where we would be - at the trailer park on the W. side where we'd been several times before. It took a while to set the job up as the caregiver did not have a phone. We'd be going for about 25 cats. My trapping team geared up and despite the rain we had a very successful trapping. All told we trapped 46 cats for the Sunday's clinic (so much for 25!). We go to use our new "water proof" trap covers and they worked great.

The cats were fixed on 2/28 and I had 46 cats in my garage for aftercare. This job required two vehicles. My next vehicle is going to be a Ford Transit Connect. I already measured and it will fit up to 38 traps and perhaps a few more. These big jobs can be a lot of work but well worth the effort.

That evening SJ and I went back to set more traps for the next day before going back to my garage to feed and water 46 cats.

Monday 3/1

We caught a couple more overnight but there were still a few more there. Early in the AM we set up the drop-trap in front of the trailer and caught a couple more. I set some traps near a vacant trailer on the next row and caught three cats. After an hour or so we had seven more to go to the vet that morning for a total of 53 cats TNR'd at this location. We'd already done about 30 others in this park and we were ahead of kitten season - at least in this park. Still, there were a lot more caregivers to help and it was already the beginning of March - litters would start coming soon. I like the saying; "nine lives not nine litters". These cats would be so much happier and healthier not breeding any longer...

The 46 cats were released and the seven cats taken to the vet that morning. We actually released the cats later in the AM as there was not room for more cats and the drop-trap. Vehicle space is often an issue.

I'd be back trapping Monday night at two places in N. Phoenix and aftercaring the seven in my garage. These two trapping jobs were the kind that make one want to give up. One had trapped before and would not listen and the cats were not cooperating. To make matters worse, the drop-trap door broke and one cat escaped. The other job had cats fed by a neighbor and a responsible neighbor trying to help. I ended up with three from the first job and five from the second for a total of eight cats.

Wednesday 3/3

I'd have the cats at the vet today and would be aftercaring them at my place. One caregiver caught two more cats overnight that would go to the vet in the AM. I had another job that night. This one made the top of the list for being difficult. After going to the wrong house on the street and trapping a cat (that needed fixing), I found the right house (barely standing!). The caregiver had been referred to me by the AHS and was living in substandard conditions feeding 15 cats. It was a borderline hoarding situation but the caregiver loved the cats. and took pretty good care of them. He was concerned about pregnant cats being spayed. It is often more challenging dealing with the caregivers than trapping the cats. However, my motto is "when the going gets tough the tough get going". Those who know me know me know I never give up if there are cats to be TNR'd.

Thursday 3/4

I caught a total of 18 cats and ended up at two vets. I had set traps overnight and they were full in the AM. One small kitten needed an eye removal and had to stay at the vet until the following Tuesday. I'd have 17 cats to aftercare after picking up at two vets.

Friday 3/5

I released the 17 cats in the AM and took cat food to the caregiver whose resources were clearly limited. He said he would call me when the pregnant cat had her kittens and said OK. I have not heard from him since. After the release I came home to work on setting up for the yard sale at my house the next day, 3/6. We had LOTs of stuff to sort so we'd be ready at 6:00 AM the next morning. Some volunteers came to help which was great. I actually love these yard sales despite the amount of work involved.

Saturday 3/6

The yard sale was a tremendous success. We made almost $1,000 and had a great time selling all kinds of stuff. Yard sales are an excellent way to make money to help feral cats. There are so many caregivers in need like the man this week with the 18 cats. It is heartbreaking to see female cats breeding until their entire life and often die of having litters...and because the feeder cannot afford to spay them. It is not their fault and they desperately need your help.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help cats in need. A donation of just $25 will help fix one female cat and save her life. To donate, please visit our website at:

http://www.spayneuterhotline.org/

Donations can also be mailed to:

ADLA
P.O. Box 33093
Phoenix 85067

Thank you for your support!







To sign up for our TNR program please call the hotline at: 602-265-7729 (SPAY)

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 2/21/10

Note: Photo courtesy of Molly Wald of Best Friends - Thank you Molly!

Sunday 2/21

We had the N. Phoenix clinic on Sunday. I was not trapping Saturday night but SJ and BC were out trapping 20 cats. Beth and John were also trapping. Many ADLA volunteers were at the PetWalk in Tempe. Many of you know that I am afraid of dogs so being at the clinic was an excuse not to go. I did, however, sponsor several people in the PetWalk. This is a big fundraiser for ADLA - so watch for for this event in 2011!

Monday 2/22

There were more cats trapped overnight for Monday. Second night trappings are a good way to catch ALL the cats. I'll stress again just how important it is to fix ALL the cats in a colony. The goal is to stabilise the colony and one unsterilised female can ruin the effort. I've often left on male unsterilised, but I figure he'll go elsewhere for to "sow his wild seed". I aftercare the stragglers that night and SJ released them in the AM.

I'd begin the week with a big job on Monday night. This was for about 20 cats and fortunately near my house (not requiring a trip the back of beyond). I'd trapped around the corner of this residence several years ago. When I arrived with my arsenal of traps, I found out that another person was actually feeding most of the cats. He had lived there but now, by coincidence, lived in the trailer park where we had trapped back in January. He was also feeding there along with that same person (he lived just a couple of trailers from him). Anyway, there was a sea of cats when I arrived and I trapped a total of 16 cats plus three for the next day - making a total of 19 cats! Many night of trapping was beginning to pay off - I was getting ahead of kitten season which was right around the corner!

The gentleman from the trailer park was going to talk to the other person feeding there as he had no phone. We were planning to trap for him for Sunday. This would turn in to a real trapping extravaganza (see next week's blog).

Tuesday 2/23

I'd be at two vets on Tuesday with a total of 16 cats. After picking them up for aftercare I set a few more traps that night and caught the remaining three. There may have been one more left but I was not 100% sure - enough to make one lay awake at night wondering...was it a tortie??

Wednesday, 2/24

Only three cats to take to the vet that day. I'd be trapping again that night. It was a fairly easy job at a business where the caregiver placed most of the traps while I prepared them. I did not have to wait long as most of the 11 cats were trapped overnight.

Thursday, 2/25

I was at only one vet on Thursday with 11 cats. There would be no second night trapping. I'd already done a few of these cats so the total # was 14 cats at that location. That night I'd be picking up one tame female pregnant cat to go to the vet on Friday. Every cat counts and despite the relatively long drive...it was worth it...

Friday/Saturday - 2/26 and 2/27

I'd be at the vet on Friday with the one cat making it six days in a row at the vet(s). Satuday I'd return the one cat to the most grateful caregiver who had no transportation.

It is sad that many cat owners are unable to fix their cats. Either they do not have the $$$ and do not know about low-cost and even free S/N, but they have no way to get to the vet. I wonder how many are out there that never find help? We need to get the word out - help is available. Please spread the word...

For more information about low-cost and free S/N programs and the S/N Hotline's TNR program, please visit our website at: http://www.spayneuterhotline.org/

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 2/14/10

Sunday 2/14

I had a trapping for for the 2/14 Tempe clinic in E. Phoenix. It was very labor intensive and turned out to be a three night trapping as the cats could not be done on Sunday. If I recall Wayne trapped a few more than planned! I ended up with 14 cats that night and they all had to go to the vet on Monday, 2/15. The good thing was - I caught them all! It was a long day as I volunteered at the clinic as well. Trapping ALL the cats in a colony is always a thrill - not only because every job is a great challenge but especially knowing that there would be no kittens in the Spring

Monday 2/15

After holding the cats overnight I took them to the vet in the AM, picked them up in the afternoon and aftercared them that evening. The usual routine...

Tuesday 2/16

The caregiver set traps Monday night and caught a 15th cat overnight. So after releasing the 14 cats I'd be back at the vet on Tuesday with one more cat - the last cat. No wonder I drove over 20,000 miles last year hauling cats around the valley from as far West as Aguila and Wickenburg.

SJ and I had a trapping job that night. It was a big one but became even bigger when we found out a friend was trapping for someone near our trapping location. She needed our help.

Oh, and I also had to pick up one more cat from a caregiver who had been trapping and calling me for pickup in the AM. One more stop in the AM...

Wednesday 2/17

We ended up picking up the stragglers in the AM for a total of 14 cats (to one vet) and nine cats at our location that went to another vet for a total of 23 cats that day. Our caregiver had offered a nice donation for us to help her and this makes a real difference as we need donations to help other caregivers in need (like the other elderly caregiver). If I recall I did have all 23 cats to pickup, aftercare and release the next day at the two locations . SJ did set traps at our location that night as well as the other location and caught six more for a total of 20 cats TNR'd at the one location and a total of 12 at the other location (3 more caught the second night).

...and, if this was not enough, I had planned two trapping jobs in E. Phoenix for Wed. night. One was new and the other I'd trapped before - 20+ cats. The caregiver at latter claimed there were 15 more. So I set 15 traps and headed off to the other smaller job. It was a bust as the neighbor down the street was feeding. I only caught 5 cats at the other job and never saw any cats there - not even any of the 20+ cats I'd trapped there the last summer. It is hard to explain this as she claimed they were still around. Go figure.

Thursday 2/18

SJ took the stragglers from the W. side job to one vet and I took the five from the E. side to another vet after checking traps in the AM - more driving...I'd be picking up at two vets and aftercaring before heading to E. Phoenix again to set traps a second night at the two locations from the night before.

Friday 2/19

I was able to trap two cats overnight at the location that was a bust the night before and I caught one more at the other location for a total of three at the vet on Friday, 2/19. These would be released at the two locations early Saturday morning

Please consider becoming an ADLA member or making a donation to help our spay and neuter programs. Many may not know this but we are now operate statewide. To become a member visit our website at: http://www.spayneuterhotline.org/

We need your help to improve the lives of homeless cats...Thank you.

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 2/7/2010

Sunday/Monday - 2/7 and 2/8

I did not trap for Sunday's clinic and other that working at the Tempe clinic on Sunday, I only had to transport and aftercare one cat so things were pretty uneventful.

Monday month we set off to trap at yet another, although smaller, trailer park on W. Grand Ave. The caregiver had been trapping on his own, one cat at a time. We know well once never gets ahead going this route. We agreed to go help him trap. Originally we'd planned on about 6-8 which turned in to 16 cats. This park really needed help! I do recall a nice dinner with Barbara that night making it a nice evening. Still we had to put up with LOTs of curious and noisy kids in the park - something that always makes things more difficult. The photo shows the kids in action.

Tuesday - 4/9

I'd be at two vets that day with a total of 16 cats. There would be the usual pickup, aftercare and release of these cats. We'd be back here later in the Spring for sure.

I could see things already getting pretty busy this week as on we had another big job to do on Wed. night. Channel 15 was coming out on a trapping job with us for TV spot! This opportunity had come up due to a caregiver contacting us for TNR and she wanted viewers to see TNR in action. Suzie would end up helping this lady's mother drop-trap a last (pregnant) cat as well. she was very greatful for our help. The rest of the week would be very busy but exciting...

Wed. 2/10

I had the 16 cats to release at the trailer park in the AM. If this were not enough three cats in traps (from three different caregivers who trapped without a plan and needed the cats picked up of course). These would have to be retrieved from the vet before loading up and meeting the reporter at the west Phoenix trapping location for the taping of the TV spot. I'd trapped several years ago at this location and there were now about 15 more cats to TNR. Over the next two nights we'd fix a total of 18 cats here. This neighborhood would always have cats as do many of these older neighborhoods in this part of town. We met the reporter there around dusk. She was the reporter and camera person so many shots had to be taken several times. The good news is we caught 16 cats that night and overnight. The piece aired later that week (it was not live but I really hate being taped). After the reporter left we set off for our usual dinner at the QT. See photo below.

Thursday 2/11

Suzie met the reporter in the AM to check the traps while I, with the load form the night before, traveled further west to pick up four tame cats for an elderly caregiver I'd helped with ferals previously. After taking the four tames plus 10 of the ferals to one vet I met Susie and the reporter at the second vet. I had several more to unload and several were trapped overnight. So I'd have 16 ferals and four tame cats for aftercare and release. Traps were set again the next night.

Friday 2/12

We released the 16 cats on Friday AM and picked up two more caught overnight. I returned the four tame cats and headed to the vet with the two additional cats and one more cat trapped w/o a plan (Grrrr...). These would be aftercared and released on Saturday morning.

It had been a record week . We were involved in TNR'ing 53 cats and these were the only ones Suzie and I had done. All told, 215 cats had been fixed this week.

There are still a LOT more cats out there to TNR so we cannot become complacent. We are making a difference! So, if you are feeding feral cats or know someone who is please contact the Spay Neuter Hotline at: 602-265-7729 (SPAY) or visit http://www.spayneuterhotline.org/. We can help.

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 1/31/10

TN

Saturday/Sunday - 1/30 and 1/31

I released the cat from Friday in the AM. The caregiver had trapped one more cat that would have to be held for the Tempe clinic on Sunday. After the release I delivered 15 traps to a central Phoenix neighborhood group that was trapping for the Tempe clinic the next day. Three caregivers also picked up traps form my depot later that morning.

The dynamic duo would be out trapping Saturday night for Sunday. As often happens we needed a few more cats. I'd have 13 to go to the vet on Sunday. It was a two-vet clinic and we did over 100 cats that day. I worked at the clinic and aftercared the cats Sunday night while the caregiver set traps for the stragglers.

Monday 2/1

I had two releases to do in the AM. The second night trapping yielded two more cats for a total of 14 cats from this location. I took those two cats to the vet and aftercared them Monday night. I took a night off from trapping that night. The cats would be released in the AM.

Tuesday /Wednesday - 2/2 and 2/3

The three master trappers had a 10+ job in one of our target areas in Peoria Tuesday night. As we drove up to the "owned" trailer with what looked like an abandoned house in front, we knew there would be LOTs of cats. The caregivers had moved into the trailer when the house was condemned and the cats lived under the abandoned house. We caught a total of 14 cats that night and overnight. I'd have to pick up a pregnant cat for an emergency spay in central Phoenix as well. Those that know me know I'll go anywhere anytime to prevent kittens from being born.

Thursday - 2/4

The release of the 14 cats would occur later in the AM. I had to pick up seven tame cats for a lady with no vehicle. She got them in carriers but the vet was only able to fix three of them (all pregnant females) as four were too wild and needed to be in traps. I'd take those four in on Friday after transferring (carefully) into traps. These were all inside cats. Can you imagine four males competing for three females inside a small apartment? Unbelievable...I took the three females back later that afternoon.

Friday - 2/5

Very early in the AM I picked up two free-roaming tame cats living with a homeless man. I'd taken traps to him earlier in the week and he was supposed to have them in the traps when I arrived. Instead they were sleeping with him in the makeshift tent. He did get them in the traps OK and I headed to the vet with those two cats plus the four wild males from the day before.

Just when one thinks they've seen and done about everything to get a cat or cats fixed, one encounters another, even more challenging situation.

Helping the less fortunate requires donations. Many of these caregivers cannot afford to spay and neuter their cats and end up with too many cats. Most of these are free-roaming cats that become part of a "feral" colony. As the colony gets bigger, the caregivers become overwhelmed and some eventually call the Spay Neuter Hotline for help. These big colonies cost a lot to spay and neuter we are always looking for funding to help caregivers in need.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to ADLA to help fix feral cats. You can donate on-line at our website: http://www.spayneuterhotline.org/

Or mail a donation to:

ADLA

P.O. Box 33093

Phoenix 85067

Thank you for your support!

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 1/24/10

Note: Photo courtesy of Molly Wald of Best Friends

Sunday 1/24

I helped a caregiver with six cats for Sunday's Tempe clinic. These were the result a tame tortie in a neighboring apartment that had had another litter of kittens as well. They were able to do aftercare but my day was not over yet...we had too many cats at the clinic and 17 would have to go to the vet the next day! January was becoming a stellar month as planned. We always try to do as many cats before kitten season...hoping that we are making a difference.

Monday 1/25

I'd be at the vet with the 17 leftovers from Sunday. I'd be aftercaring and Suzie would be taking them back to the E. Valley then next day.

Tuesday 1/26 and Wednesday 1/27

On Tuesday I began what would have been one of the most stressful trapping weeks in months. I made the mistake of scheduling what appeared to be an easy trapping job in Laveen. I'd forgotten just how far Leveen was from N. Phoenix. Suzie and Barbara were also trapping that night in Laveen, not far from me. I'd be able to meet up with them for dinner. The sad part was I only trapped two cats - out of 10 total. Suzie caught 14 cats, almost all of them. I'd be at one vet and she'd be at another. I also had two more from the caregiver form Sunday I'd have to pick up and two tame cats I was transporting for a lady in S. Phoenix. then there was aftercare of the 14 cats cats and return of the tame cats to S. Phoenix.

Thursday 1/28

If I recall the caregivers in Laveen did set their own traps the second night but we'd be there in the morning to release them. After release at the first caregiver (with Suzie) I picked up one cat at that location and drove to the other location to pick up two more cats - now a total of four out of 10 cats had been trapped. I then set off to the vet in N. Phoenix with three cats. In the midst of all this I was able to get the four tame kittens born to the breeding tortie into a rescue group - I had to make sure these next generation torties did not become breeders also. At least I was able to fix the mother cats.

If this was not enough I had a two trapping job that night in central Phoenix...thankfully, they were close to one another. One had trapped before and the caregiver could watch the traps (she needed transportation). The other was at a hospital and required my sitting with the drop-trap for several hours - no luck at that location. I found food out under the outbuilding where I was trapping. I did catch one cat at the other location.

Friday 1/29

I only had one cat at the vet on Friday despite my efforts the night before. But before taking the one in I had the three cats from Thursday to release in Leveen - at two locations. Then, I'd be back at the vet with just one cat. By afternoon I was so sick of driving back and forth from Laveen I swore I'd never trap there again - ever! At least it was not Buckeye or Gila Bend.

Saturday 1/30

I released the one cat in the AM. I also had to deliver 15 traps to some trappers who were trapping at several locations in a neighborhood in Central Phoenix. However, we needed more cats for Sunday in Tempe and we'd set a trapping job for Saturday night to help fill the clinic. The week was not over yet.

Trapping can be fun and rewarding. Still, there are times when one takes on too many trapping jobs trying be the Red Queen while "running as fast as one can to stay in place". This is what it feels like at times. Statistics show that only about 8% of tame cats are not fixed. Still, many of those 8% are out there breeding with the free-roaming cat population and becoming part of this population. There is no way of knowing just how many free-roaming cats are out there or how many of them are fixed. A lot of numbers are floating around out there but no one really knows. the best we can do is fix them, making sure ALL cats in a colony are fixed. Regular follow-up by caregivers is essential to the TNR process.

To sign up for our TNR program please call our hotline at 602-265-7729 (SPAY) or email us at feralcats@adlaz.org. Our TNR program operates in Maricopa County in Arizona. Donations are welcome. Visit our website at: http://www.adlaz.org/.

Ocelot in AZ/ Feel Good Story may be short-lived

I was planning to break my blog drought by writing about the great news announced by Sky Island Alliance earlier this month.

An Ocelot- was photographed by a remote camera in Cochise County, Arizona, in November. This is exciting news because Ocelots are listed as an endangered species, and have not been documented in our state.

The unfortunate payoff was reported in the the Arizona Republic this morning. A cat-fitting the Ocelot's description was hit and killed on Highway 60 between Globe and Superior. Its body has been sent to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's forensic laboratory in Oregon.

We will keep you posted on the results

Ask Gov. Brewer to Veto Bad Wildlife Bill!

ADLA ALERT: Ask Governor Brewer to Veto Bad Wildlife Bill!

The organization that opposes everything we support in the world of wildlife, is about to take control of the Arizona Game & Fish Commission appointment process. We need your help to stop them!

“With the passing of Senate Bill 1200, the Arizona Legislature turned wildlife management back to the 1950s, where the attitude was, ‘If you cannot shoot it, it is not worth having.’“

- Arizona Wildlife Biologist

Despite widespread opposition, SB 1200 (NOW: game and fish commission; recommendation board) passed out of the House on Thursday 36-19-5 and is on its way to the Governor.

What You Can Do:

Please contact Governor Brewer IMMEDIATELY and politely ask her to veto SB 1200! You can contact Governor Brewer by calling her at (602) 542-4331 or toll free at 1-(800) 253-0883. You can email her by clicking on Governor Brewer and then filling in the online form. You can also paste this website into your browser http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp. Please send a copy of your email to smyers@az.gov  , psenseman@az.gov,  and ssmith@az.gov

How will SB 1200 harm animals?

SB 1200 would enable an elite group of trophy hunters and ranchers to take control of Arizona’s wildlife by hijacking the Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment process:

It is based on misrepresentations of the Game and Fish budget, and how much hunters actually contribute.

It is based on misrepresentation of participation of these trophy hunters in the appointment process in the past. They have participated, and have had their choices selected the majority of the time.

It excludes almost all Arizonans from the Game and Fish Commission appointment process.

The Game and Fish Commission and Department have many programs that greatly benefit wildlife and habitat such as the reintroduction of black-tailed prairie dogs that were once completely wiped out in Arizona; and habitat protection and mapping projects through the State Wildlife Action Plan. In the last five years they have adopted policies to better understand and protect mountain lions. If SB 1200 is signed into law by Governor Brewer all that could change.

SB 1200 is opposed by consumptive and non-consumptive members of the wildlife community including the Arizona Game & Fish Commission, Animal Defense League of Arizona, Sierra Club, Arizona Audubon Society, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Arizona Republic Editorial Board, and many other groups and individuals.

For detailed bill information and background including the groups that are behind SB 1200 click here

Please email the link below to your contacts in Arizona.

http://www.adlaz.org/Legislative%20Alert%20SB%201200.htm

Thanks for your help!

Animal Defense League of Arizona

http://www.adlaz.org/

Become a Fan of ADLA on Facebook

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 1/17/2010

Sunday/Monday 1/17 - 1/18

I was back at the W. side trailer park Saturday night trapping for our N. Phoenix clinic on Sunday. I'd made contact with the caregiver when I'd been trapping in the park the week before. There were LOTs of cats there and easy to catch. I caught 10 cats. It was a successful clinic that day. Suzie also trapped that night at a couple places and she had cats at the vet on Monday from a second night's trapping including leftovers from the Tempe clinic going to the mobile clinic on Monday. I'd be doing the release of Sundays cats and pickup and aftercare of cats from the second night's trapping.

Tuesday - 1/19

Suzie and I had a trapping job in the N.W. Valley. Problem was it was pouring rain! Of course this did not stop us. I got there early and started trapping, hoping to get as many cats before the deluge hit. Fortunately there was some space on a cluttered patio to put some traps. That night and overnight we caught a total of 17 cats. We met Barbara for dinner while waiting for cats to be trapped...

Wed. - 1/20

We'd be at two vets today as I also had a warehouse cat caught overnight and three from a lady (unexpected). Going back through my notes we also had cats from two other caregivers for a total of 23 cats! It becomes a bit fuzzy after a month or so has passed. We did catch some cats overnight at the big job. The yard was a mud hole and navigating through it with traps was a challenge. There would be pick up at two vets and aftercare of 20 cats that night. Traps were set again later in the evening.

Thursday - 1/21 - 1/22

We caught four more cats the next night for a total of 21 cats trapped in all. In fact, we caught them all at this location - a great success. There would be no kittens born this Spring at that place.

This time of year the race is on to beat kitten season. January and February are critical to preventing kittens and I always go the extra mile to help as many caregivers and cats during these months. Most caregivers appreciate the help as many we help are truly in need and would never be able to spay and neuter such large colonies. I am so lucky to be able to help so many cats and caregivers...still, I often feel like I am the Red Queen...just "running as fast as I can to stay in place". I tell myself every day that we must be making a difference in the numbers of homeless cats. TNR does help, although by no means does it even begin to solve cat homelessness and overpopulation. Spaying and neutering is the solution to this problem. Unfortunately, many of those I meet either to not have the resources to spay and neuter or do not understand its importance.

We need to get the word out on cat spay and neuter. I carry S/N information in my car and do my best to get the word out as I travel throughout the valley. It is amazing how grateful people are to find out about the availability of low-cost and even free S/N programs for cats.

If you need S/N or TNR information to pass out, please contact The Spay Neuter Hotline at: 602-265-7729 (SPAY) or email: feralcats@adlaz.org.

Pam's TNR Blog - Week of 12/20/09

12/20

Again there were last minute cancellations for the Tempe clinic and Suzie and I had to scramble and find a couple of trapping jobs to fill the clinic. We settled on a couple jobs nearby so it would not be too hectic in the morning for picking up traps left out overnight. We ended up with ten cats from one place (eight that night and two overnight) and three from the other. (two that night and one overnight). These were people who really needed our help. I cannot emphasize enough how much financial assistance is needed for caregivers and cats.

We again had too many cats at the clinic and the vet could not fix four of the cats we had trapped - one from the group of ten, and none of the group of three. These would be going to the vet on Monday. One can never predict what the caregivers and cats will do. Since some of our cats were needed to fill the clinic (75 cats maximum), our efforts were not wasted.

We both worked at the clinic that day and I took the fixed cats home for aftercare along with the four awaiting surgery the next day. As I drove home I thought of the number of times I've driven home from the E. Valley clinics with cats in the last six years. Suzie set additional traps at both locations that night to try to snag stragglers. It is important to fix ALL the cats, especially the females, in a colony to fix the problem.

12/21


I received a call at 6:00 AM that the resort in central Phoenix had trapped another cat. I headed down there to pick up the cat along with the four carryovers from the day before that were stored in my garage with the already fixed cats. Suzie would be picking up a couple of strgglers at one of the trapping jobs form the day before. On the way to the first vet on the 51 freeway I started to hear a periodic clicking noise in the rear of my vehicle and its frequency changed as I increased and then decreased speed. When I got to the second vet I looked under the car thinking a plastic bag or some other debris was hanging from it - nothing. When I got home Bill looked at the tires as I rolled forward and voila! There was a quarter inch bolt with a washer embedded in the tire. Fortunately the tire had not gone flat or I'd have been stuck on the freeway with a carload of feral cats.

So, Bill and I loaded the nine fixed cats from Sunday into the Jeep and he helped me release them. We then drove to the tire store and fortunately they were able to fix the tire. In this business one cannot be without a reliable vehicle and regular maintenance is a must. Nothing could be worse than being stuck in the "back of beyond" or in an unsafe neighborhood at night with a load of cats on board.

This was the week the Best Friends photographer was coming to Phoenix to get pictures for the article they are writing about us for their bi-monthly magazine. She was coming down today and would be in town through Wednesday. She was meeting me at my place at 5:00 PM to go trapping. We had a busy week planned. There would be only three days of vet appointments due to the Christmas holiday so we we'd be busy. It is important to fix cats before kitten season, not only to prevent kittens from being born but because it is less expensive to fix cats that are not pregnant. NOTE: It's time to start fixing cats before kitten season!


That night I had a 12 cat job planned. Fortuntely, I was able to get my vehicle with the new tires in time for her arrival. Molly, the photographer, met me at my house about 5:00 PM and we drove to a nearby residence to trap. The caregiver had trapped before and had confined most of the already fixed cats to cages and carriers (don't ask me how). This was one of those jobs where ALL the cats were caught within one hour. We caught a total of 13 cats. We left the eartipped cats in traps overnight and set traps before we left. Molly got some good photos but we started too late and lost the light. Tomorrow night we would need to start trapping earlier while there was still good light...


12/22


I ended up going to two vets in the morning and Molly met me at the second vet. I released the resort cat very early in the specified place. They had caught another cat but it turned out to be one of cats we had fixed last week. There were no more cats in traps at last night's location. I met Molly at the second clinic and introduced her to the vet who gave her the tour. Of course I thanked the vet for helping us day after day with these feral cats. Each morning when I am there, he comes in the back and asks in a happy voice,"How many do we have today?" We met back at my house to discuss the day's itinerary. I found out that she wanted photos during the day of eartipped cats. Knowing that most feral cats are usually hiding during the day, this seemed like a tall order.

We loaded up the stragglers from Sunday and met Suzie to release the cats. She got some great photos of the release including one in this blog where the cat actually ran into the camera as it bolted from the trap!


After the second release we headed for Suzie's to hook up with Beth and John who were to wash traps for that night's trapping job. Beth and John are Best Friends volunteers and wanted to meet Molly and talk about their sanctuary. Meanwhile, Suzie and I got on the computer searching our database for a big previously trapped job nearby where cats might be out during the day. We found two places. After washing traps we all headed over to the first location and about ten cats were milling around. I had trapped over 30 cats there and they were ALL eartipped. This was a perfect place for her to take some great shots. From there she and Suzie headed over to a trailer park near 67th Ave. and Glendale where we had trapped over 90 cats in the past several years. This was nirvana for a feral cat photographer. I headed home as I also had traps to wash and cats to pick up at the vet that afternoon. We had a big trapping job that night for 20+ cats and Molly was to meet us there later in the afternoon. She spent most of afternoon at the trailer park.

I headed home to wash traps at my place and as I was about to cross I-17 at Thunderbird I got a call from the warehouse where I'd tried to drop-trap the big nasty tomcat. They had him in a trap. So I detoured south literally moving from the middle lane to the right turn lane to pick him up. It was 11:30 AM. I called the vet immediately and they agreed to take him late. So I headed back to the vet again (I was up to three trips there). I'd be back at both vets about 4:00 PM to pick up cats - a total of 14 cats. I then loaded up 17 traps and headed to that night's trapping job. Barbara and Suzie had met Molly there early and they were in high gear when I arrived. We ended up with 22 cats at this location. There would be no second night trapping due to the holiday, but we were confident we had caught them all. Still, one would never know in a neighorhood like this. There are so many unsterilzed animals is these low-income neighborhoods and without a conserted effort to mobilize the community - well, there will be more cats to fix. We also had a nice dinner with Molly while waiting for stragglers to go in the traps. A couple were caught overnight. All 22 went to a single vet the next day.

12/23

After taking the 22 cats to the vet in the AM we released the 14 cats the next morning and met Molly back at my house. The tomcat would go back later that morning. Molly planned to spend the day at the trailer park with the manager looking for great shots of eartipped cats. - before heading back to Kanab. She had a lot of great photos to choose from for the article.

12/24

We released the 22 cats back in the AM and were done for the week except for lots more dirty traps and covers to wash. There were no vets open on Christmas Eve or that weekend due to the holiday.

Next week - New Year's trapping extraganza!