Feral Cat Coalition

Taken from: http://www.thebeenews.com/news

"We’ve written about this unique organization in the past. People who feed stray cats voluntarily participate in this trap-neuter-return program.

Following our instructions, we locate the one-day clinic hidden away in an industrial district of Portland, and meet a volunteer coordinator for the program--Carma Crimins, a Woodstock resident.

“The goal of the program,” Crimins begins, “is to reduce suffering for existing feral cats, and prevent births and suffering of future generations.”

She leads us in to where the organization’s 24-foot mobile hospital is parked. We learn it is designed specifically for spaying/neutering feral cats, has three separate rooms: A surgery suite, with room for three veterinarians to operate simultaneously; a prep area, complete with sink and autoclave; and an anesthesia room.

One Sunday a month, the mobile hospital operates in Portland. Other weekends, it travels to other communities that sponsor their program.

“The reason we keep the location secret,” explains Crimins, is that we don’t operate a ‘drop-in’ program. We only want to deal with individuals who demonstrate a commitment to do what we request.”

What they don’t want, Crimins added, is people dropping off cats at the clinic, thinking that, somehow, someone will find the stray cat a good home. “This isn’t an adoption service.”

The program’s services are specifically for feral cats being fed by caregivers. The caregivers trap the cats, bring them to a clinic, and return the cats to where they are being fed with a commitment to keep on feeding the cat permanently.

“Typically, the cats we see here haven’t ever been touched by humans; and they never will be,” clarifies Crimins. “We lend humane ‘live traps’ to the caregiver, and show how to use them. These traps are simple, and don’t harm either the cats or the people.”

On this day, 96 cats will be seen — each of them from Inner Southeast Portland. “In Woodstock, and further east, is an area rich in feral cats,” Crimins tells us. “And, there are a lot of good-hearted people who care for them enough to bring them here — and take them home again.”

“We have about 30 volunteers operating the day-long clinic, in addition to the four vets and four vet technicians. Caregivers bring in the cats inside cages or traps. A blanket is put over the cage to keep the cat warm and reduce anxiety,” we’re told.

Then, one by one, each is taken into a feline version of a Mobile Army Surgical Unit (MASH). The mobile hospital gleams of stainless steel, and smells antiseptic.

After being anesthetized, the cats are checked over, are spayed or neutered, and receive distemper and rabies shots.

As they sleep, get the full feline “day spa treatment”. They’re flea-combed and sprayed, treated for ear mites and other minor medical conditions, and each has his or her right ear tipped for future identification. Cats that appear to be suffering, as determined by a veterinarian, are tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus; all cats testing positive are euthanized.

In the “recovery room”, we see a dozen volunteers: They’re stroking, warming, and watching over the cats as they wake up.

As she caresses a drowsy kitty, Crimins tells us she’s been involved with the coalition for five years. “Over the years, I’ve brought in hundreds of cats. Now, I’ve started help other people get their cats in to the clinic.”

Crimins says she’d like to live in a world in which every cat is wanted. “What we’re doing today will eliminate the suffering of hundreds of kittens this year, and prevent thousands of unwanted and homeless kittens down the road.”

No other programs in Portland provide this service, Crimins tells us. It’s supported by volunteers and donations. “When you donate to the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, 92 cents of every dollar goes to fulfilling our mission of spaying/neutering, and community education.”

One way you can support the organization is by attending their annual “Furball”. This year, it’s on May 12th at the World Forestry Center next to the Oregon Zoo. This year’s theme for the party is “Night on the Nile”. To donate to the event, to volunteer, or just to get more information, visit: www.feralcats.com."