Whiskers & Paws Forever of Monroe County

02/11/2025

It is not that relocation of feral cats cannot be done, but it is not an easy or always successful task. Let's take a closer look at the obstacles:

TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR:
Feral cats form strong bonds with their territory and may attempt to travel long distances to return to their original home, putting them at risk of injury or death during the journey. There is a chance they will run away from their new location even if suitable acclimation was carried out. If there was no acclimation process, you can almost guarantee it.

STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE:
You will have to keep the kitty confined long enough so he can learn that this is his new home and you are the new feeder. This process is highly stressful for cats, especially since they are not socialized to humans and may not understand what is happening. It is also stressful for the human trying to care for the cat.

VACUUM EFFECT:
If cats are removed from an area, it is said that new cats will quickly move in to fill the space, meaning relocation does not actually reduce the population.

POTENTIAL FOR HARM IN NEW ENVIRONMENT:
A relocated cat may not be familiar with the new area's predators, food sources, or shelter options, increasing their risk of injury or starvation.

ETHICAL CONCERNS:
Many animal welfare organizations consider relocating feral cats as inhumane due to the potential for significant stress and danger to the animals.

🔸 What can you do instead? 🔸

TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN (TNR):
This method involves trapping feral cats, sterilizing them, vaccinating them, ear-tipping for identification, and then returning them to their original location.

PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER:
If you are concerned about a feral cat population, consider providing food and shelter in a designated area to help manage their numbers and reduce conflicts.

01/13/2025

Whiskers & Paws will hold its last clinic on January 24th. After 25 years of cat rescue in the Upper Keys, I am retiring and relocating. I would like to thank everyone over these years for their wonderful support and friendship. It certainly is bittersweet. Hopefully these last three years of spaying and neutering over 3,000 dogs and cats has made an impact on the cat population. More needs to be done and my hope is that this mission will continue.

10/18/2024

Thanks so much to Jim and Sami for the absolutely adorable pumpkin

09/27/2024

Milestone

09/26/2024

Big shout out to our fabulous trapper Shelly Turton who tirelessly sought a lost cat in upper Key Largo owned by a family visiting from the mainland. After three long days and nights SUCCESS!!! The owners were thrilled and drove back down from Jupiter to pick up their newly adopted cat . Thank you Shelly for your passion for helping the cats

08/28/2024

Please DO NOT WAIT to trap, neuter, & return (TNR) any stray/feral community cats you are feeding. The numbers can add up very quickly if you wait.

It is NOT necessary to gain trust first to TNR! Creating a routine feeding schedule is key.

AFTER the cat is fixed and vaccinated through trap/neuter/return (TNR), trust can be gained on the cat's own terms.

Please reach out to us if you're in or around Charlotte, NC, for more information about how to TNR by visiting our website and filling out our contact form - www.friendsofferalfelines.org.

08/23/2024

Can you count the pocket pets?

08/19/2024

UPDATE: PENDING ADOPTION
ANOTHER MILESTONE. MEET MING, NUMBER 2600 CAT TO BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED AT OUR WHISKERS AN PAWS CLINIC ON FRIDAY AUGUST 16. MANY THANKS FOR EVERYONE WHO HELPED US MEET THIS MILESTONE AND MARY AND BOB WOODBURY FOR FOSTERING HER. SHE IS A VERY SWEET AND ACTIVE BLUE-EYED SIAMESE KITTEN. TEXT US AT 305-393-1268. FOR INFORMATION ON ADOPTING HER. ADOPTION FEE APLLIES. PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS.

05/27/2024

Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom.

We are forever grateful.

05/27/2024