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On a frosty February morning in
Chattanooga a dozen cats tumble out of
their heated condos and stretch lazily
as only a cat can. They begin milling,
rubbing and occasionally swatting at
each other in sleepy anticipation of
breakfast. Momentarily their breakfast
arrives; a buffet of wet food in
multiple flavors and textures, a few
very large bowls of dry food and a large
bowl of fresh water. The cats pounce on
breakfast; no one is shy as they line up
whisker to whisker, shoulder to shoulder
and dig in. They know that this scene
won’t be repeated … until dinnertime a
full 12 hours away.
 This
scene sounds not unlike the morning
routine of many pet cats. But these cats
are not pets, they are not owned and
they don’t live indoors. They’re
considered “feral” cats, thousands of
whom live here in Chattanooga. Most of
Chattanooga’s feral cat population lives
much harder lives than the cats in this
lucky colony. The colony’s caretakers
provide food, water and shelter. So
these cats don’t need to scrounge for
food in dumpsters and they don’t
struggle to find shelter from the
elements.
The first cat arrived 4 years ago, very
pregnant. She delivered 4 kittens, only
one of whom survived. That surviving
kitten is now the colony’s alpha male
and the father of many of the other
colony members. The colony grew over the
years and now numbers about 13 with a
few additional, irregular members. Much
like a pride of lions, the members of
this colony are social and spend a good
deal of time together.
The caretakers enjoy the cats and take
great pleasure providing for them and
watching their activities and
interactions. But they realized that the
colony would continue to grow to
unmanageable numbers if they did not
take action. If the group continued to
grow at the same rate they would number
more than 150 in another 4 years.
 With
volunteer help the caretakers arranged a
series of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)
outings. At each of these the cats were
caught in humane traps at their normal
feeding site and taken to Wally’s
Friends Spay Neuter Clinic for
spay/neuter surgery and rabies
vaccinations. The tips of the cats left
ears were clipped while they are under
anesthesia. This identifies them as cats
that have been spayed or neutered. After
their surgeries, the cats were kept warm
and indoors for 2 days before they were
returned to their outdoor home.
The TNR effort is ongoing. 9 cats have
been trapped, altered and returned home.
Trapping of the remaining 4 regular
colony members is scheduled for next
week. The surgeries and vaccinations
were 20% funded by the colony caretakers
and 80% by donations from clients of The
Cat Clinic of Chattanooga.
 The
cats in this colony will continue to
enjoy their good life, without the
reproductive drives that lead to fights,
noise and drain of their physical
resources. The colony will stop growing
and the cats, caretakers and community
will continue to live in harmony. |
