06/05/2026
🎉 Happy Fri-YAY! A TNR Success Story 🎉
Sometimes rescue work doesn't happen in a day... or even a week.
Back in May, our team was contacted about a colony of cats living beneath a mobile home on a large property west of Cañon City. The property owners, who are animal lovers themselves, wanted to make sure the cats had the best possible chance at a safe and healthy future.
Our TNR Director, Marcia, and Robin visited the property to assess the situation. Cameras were set up, countless hours were spent monitoring activity, and little by little we discovered the habits of a friendly mama cat, five additional adult cats, and nearly a dozen kittens.
Then came our first surprise.
During an early trapping effort, we successfully trapped seven kittens much sooner than expected. They quickly headed to Amy and her family's "feral boot camp," where their experience and patience worked wonders. Within just 10 days, the kittens were social enough to move on to one of our rescue partners. Naturally, they became known as the Surprise! Kittens.
Over the following weeks, our team made multiple trips back to the property, spent hours reviewing camera footage, strategizing trapping plans, and working to help the remaining cats.
This past Tuesday, that determination paid off!
After spending the entire day trapping, waiting, hoping, and sometimes holding our breath, we successfully trapped Fawn, a friendly mama cat, two adult males, two adult females, and four additional kittens.
The four adults were spayed/neutered Wednesday at Fremont Veterinary Hospital and safely returned to the property today. We still have one trap-savvy female left to help and hope to snag her late next week.
Added bonus: the property owners have a new tenant moving into the mobile home, a cat lover who has agreed to continue feeding and caring for the five adult cats who are simply too spicy to become indoor companions. ❤️
Meanwhile, Fawn and four kittens are settling into Amy's care, where they'll begin their journey toward indoor lives and future homes.
In total, our team has easily invested more than 40 hours helping this little family.
While we always wish every cat could find a home, rescue isn't always that simple. Sometimes success means a warm couch and a forever family. Sometimes success means a safe caretaker, regular meals, and never having to raise another litter outdoors.
Because of this effort, young kittens will have the opportunity to live indoor lives, and the adult cats will never again face the challenges of bringing more babies into the world outside.
That is a win worth celebrating!
Thank you to Marcia, Robin, Naz, Marolynne, Susie, Amy, Craig, River, our TNR cat care team, the property owners, and Fremont Veterinary Hospital for helping make this outcome possible.
Happy Fri-YAY indeed! 🎉
