Giving Back To Cats In Need
When I found and adopted my first cat Trooper, I began to learn the very sad plight of cats - namely, the extreme over population problem combined with a lack of forever homes. In Florida, "kitten season" is almost year round due to the warm weather, which makes the problem even worse.
When I moved into my home, the neighborhood was overrun with cats that needed to be spayed and neutered. I started my own TNR (trap-neuter-return) operation, paying for it myself, until I was able to find discounted rates and even some free local spay and neuter programs. I began feeding and setting traps, and now things are under control. When the occasional stray travels through, I can easily trap them with some sardines. (see pictures below)
I also have many wonderful friends who manage and feed colonies of stray cats. I never realized how many volunteers are "in the trenches", feeding, trapping (sometimes in the middle of the night) and fostering these kitties - not to mention paying for the vet bills out of their own pockets - all while working full time jobs.
TNR and spaying and neutering gets to the root of the problem of homeless cats. While TNR is great if the cat is healthy, sadly there's often no help for community cats that need medical attention before or after being neutered. These cats shouldn't be released until they are healthy and unhealthy community cats need to be re-trapped and treated for medical issues. Donating to medical needs is definitely a priority for me.
I am proud to be partnering with Mission Meow. Mission Meow works to increase the level of charitable donations for small feline-centric nonprofits to create meaningful change for cats in need. The partners include large and small companies, who donate monthly or quarterly, giving the opportunity for small rescues to receive a larger amount of money at one time. Please check them out on Facebook or Instagram at @missionmeow
With every purchase, know that you are helping a stray cat in need. I look forward to making a bigger and bigger impact as my company continues to grow.
Pictured below are some of the cats I've TNR'd, fostered and adopted.