Future goal to provide a place for Feral's that need to be removed from bad areas. Hi, my name is Karin; my story began 11 years ago when I seen all these cats just roaming the property as I had just opened a small Shipping and Packaging Business. As an animal lover, I knew I had to find a way to help. I seen almost 60 here and although they were being fed every few days at that time a lot of thes
e cats needed help and surely needed to be fixed. This is where my journey began with TNR and helping not only the cats on my property but also helping some local rescues with TNR when time permits
This is when I started to learn about TNR and I took it upon myself to begin the process of trapping all the cats on the property so as they would no longer reproduce and make for a better life for them. This process took almost 1 year to trap all the cats roaming the property and now the Colony is under control. Over the process of 11 years now I’ve basically converted part of my Office / Warehouse space in order to care for all the cats on the property. As stated I started with 60 and some have been adopted and some just disappear. All these cats are free roaming and considered Feral Cats however I have over the years accepted several cats and relocated them because it was not safe where they were. I’ve also taken in a few special needs cats because no one else wanted them. To date I have almost 50 cats that I care for and I can honestly say I’m just a 1 person team that runs my rescue efforts. I do all TNR trapping and ensure any new feral cat that shows up will go to vet for a check and if needed it will be TNR. So although I have managed to maintain the cats on property it is still very costly to maintain the colony. Because I do have a warehouse I’m able to provide shelter for those that have become friendly and choose to stay indoors when it’s cold, rainy or too hot out. These cats have become accustom to seeking shelter in the warehouse and it’s of the utmost importance that I stay here because of all the cats still remaining on the property. From time to time I have additional vet cost, such as now I’ve had 3 vet appointments in 2 weeks due to a URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) going around the colony. However it’s finally getting under control with meds and nebulizer treatments. About 8 months ago I took in 3 kittens that where disposed of on a property in the county and I decided to take them in. These 3 little females where not so friendly as they were born in the wild and each of them are blind in 1 eye, and needed daily meds for the 1st month in order to save their eyes and get healthy. Unfortunately one of the kittens will need her eye removed as it’s not healed as it should and keeps getting infected and I’m sure it’s not too comfortable for the cat either. I just took her to the vet this week and they confirmed her eye will need to be removed. Other then each of them not having 1 good eye they are very happy little kitties and have made this there home and because I spend every day with them they are very friendly. In fact Blondie is my official greeter at the shipping center, hence the official Wal-Mart Greeter, lol. I have 2 disabled cats that I care for also, Smokey was born on the property with 4 sisters and brothers all Siamese cats. However at about 8 months old Smokey took ill and is left with neurological issues. Although he has learned to walk 8 years later, although it’s very difficult he manages to get around. However going to the bathroom is difficult so he needs constant care under my watch. Although Smokey has some setbacks not able to run and jump and climb, in my eye’s he is the strongest, determined and smartest cat I’ve ever known. Bubba my oldest cat was a rescue from a shelter as he has pellets in him and had 2 casts on his front legs at the time I took him in. Bubba was obviously abused at some point in his life but I couldn’t resist rescuing him and he also lives out his life here on the property. Bubba and Smokey only go outside under my supervision and the rest of the time they are indoors at the business because of their special needs. I try to help some of the less fortunate cats and kittens that are in dire need of rescue but I’m limited to how many I can take in. What’s sad is I have the property and a very nice building but I don’t have the funds in order to feed more and more cats much less vet bills. So in closing I guess what I’m trying to say is although I’ve managed to keep this lease and business it does have slow times just like any other business and it’s during these times when I need the help the most. Business is ok, however this is my slow time of year and although I work 5 days a week and starting May I work 7 days a week (no joke) and I do this till Sept. I don’t ask for much and take care of all my cats without very little help. Thanks to a few great friends they do help with some food and cost of vets but they too have lives and can’t always help. I am committed to staying here and will not leave these poor cats that at one time where released in the streets with no one to care for them. Where I’m located there are very little resources to help with TNR and food. Although I’m not alone helping Ferals – Strays – displaced cats we still need more to be done in my county. I try to help with other rescues when I have time, but usually I’m very busy running my business and taking care of my 50 cats. I’ve been very blessed to be put where I am in my life and I will officially say I’m a CAT LADY but it’s where I was lead and I’m committed to stay and care for all these cats. Please take some time and check out the video of some of the special cats here on the property and all the pictures of everyone too. As you can see they are all healthy looking and do what they do best, being cats and running and playing while having a safe place to live and get fed and looked after as needed. Thank you for taking you time to read my story and any help is appreciated to get me through these next few months. People always say I don’t have much and I understand that completely, but honestly a dollar here and dollar there really adds up. I appreciate anything you can do to help continue this journey with the cats that have no voice left to fend for themselves in the elements. TNR works and although we need lots have volunteers to help feed all the long lost cats put in the street I do believe 1 person can make a difference and I’m committed to help these poor lost souls.
