The Poole Team – Outreach in the Community Spirit

Many of us are aware of the desperate plight of feral cats across our county – domestic cats that have become victims of uncontrolled breeding and are left to fend for themselves. Continuing to do what nature tells them to, feral cat colonies grow at a tremendous rate, even though many of them fall victim to disease, starvation, and death. These cats, missing out on human contact at a young age, grow up to be fearful of people and keep their safe distance, at the same time depending on them for survival.

Some of us have met individuals who in their commitment to these cats, care for them by providing food and water, trapping to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and release, so that future generations can be prevented and colonies can be kept small. Others are financially able to only feed these cats, inadvertently allowing them a chance to multiply and often quickly face more and more cats to care for. At that point, they or concerned neighbors may contact us or animal control in desperation.

This is the story of one feral colony where JCAPL had a chance to intervene.

In April of this year, Mr. Bill Poole, a gentleman who has had a love for cats all of his life, contacted JCAPL , desperately trying to find help for a small feral colony he had cared for at his shop. He explained that he had begun to solicit help in December, wanting to prevent springtime breeding, which was going to bring litters of kittens. Because of significant health problems, he was no longer able to work, but kept returning to his shop to feed the cats once or twice a week, despite the fact that this had become tremendously difficult for him because of his physical limitations. After Mr. Poole familiarized us with who was who and his feeding routine, JCAPL volunteers stepped forward, and the Poole Team was formed. Susan Musico, cat foster coordinator, organized a schedule to feed the cats. A five member team rotated the visits so not to burden one individual’s time. The team stayed in touch via e-mail to document sightings of specific cats and – yes- kittens. Spring was here, and the litters had arrived. Since the kittens had just been born, the team began visits with the goal of the adult cats getting used to their presence as caretakers. Mr. Poole was able to rest easier, once he confirmed that his cats were indeed being fed. The team stayed in touch with him to keep him informed of progress and plans.

The day came when the kittens were old enough to require handling by humans. Rather than allowing the kittens to become feral, the Poole Team had all intentions to find loving, permanent homes for them. Arrangements were made to start setting cat traps. Some of the kittens were tame enough to be scooped up and safely placed into foster care. Another challenge to be addressed was what to do with the adult cats. The condemning of the shop where they lived and future development of the land seemed a certainty. The consensus was that the cats cannot live there in safety forever, and it was unrealistic to commit individuals to feeding for years to come.

The first trapping effort yielded two adults and two kittens. The kittens were placed in foster care in hopes that they would come around to become used to human contact. Plans had been made to try to integrate the two female adults, ‘Torti’ and ‘Susie’, into an established colony that is tended to regularly. (Note: It is extremely difficult to relocate feral cats. Cats are comfortable only in a familiar environment. The risk of relocating is that they may disappear). Weighing the options, we had to try to relocate them. After they were tested for feline leukemia and FIV, spayed and vaccinated (with the help of vouchers purchased from Operation Catnip, a non-profit organization dedicated to spaying and neutering feral cats)), they spent a few days in a cage of a volunteer before being released into the selected colony. Were they going to stick around?

The feeding and counting of those left continued for a couple of weeks, and the traps were set again. This time, an adolescent cat and the three remaining kittens went for the lure. Another vet visit for health checks, vaccines, and spay/neuter surgeries, and the foster kitten family grew by three members. Our adolescent received pain medication for four days and let our volunteer Vicki P. know that she is really a tiger. Vicki held her breath when she released her, only to find that on the next day, ‘Sheena’ returned to eat and watched her clean out rabbit cages.

The Poole Team is now facing a last challenge of trapping one or two more adult cats. Needless to say, they have been affected by watching their colony members disappear and are keeping their distance. One of them had been trapped before our efforts began, but Mr. Poole released her, unable to transport her and knowing she had been in the trap for a few days. (Note: A cat who has been trapped and released becomes trap shy and is unlikely to ever go into a trap again.)

Update as of August 24, 2004:
The two adult cats released into an existing colony have been spotted. Perhaps it helped them to be together, and we wish them the best in a life they did not choose.

JCAPL now has sweet kittens waiting to be adopted. They are: Brownie, Cookie, Boo, Cashew, Athena. Those not yet ready for adoption are Red, Shy Boy, Princess, Little Bit, and Hissy (a challenge).

Update as of October 21, 2004:
There are four Poole kitten left to find homes for - Little Bit, Pete, Holly, and Mickey.

We also have Oreo, Buddy, and Tiny Tim, three of four surviving orphaned kittens nursed to health, after being abandoned by their feral mother. Then there are Ashes, a stray kitten found by a grocery store manager, and Savannah, rescued from a tree, both in foster care.

Update as of December 1, 2004:
All the kittens have homes now. While these kittens had a better chance than many, only if they find permanent homes will JCAPL be able to help more. There are many more entering the shelter every day who deserve and are waiting for loving homes.

As we look at our lifesaving accomplishments with the Poole cats, let us not forget all those feral cats and colonies who are not so lucky and have noone to humanely intervene for them; who place a tremendous burden on our animal control staff and time and who, if they are grown feral cats, cannot be placed in homes once in the shelter. They are victims of our doing – or not doing: of us not spaying and neutering.

The only way for JCAPL to help these and other cats and to afford their vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries is with your help. JCAPL programs depend on support from the community. JCAPL is in need of ongoing contributions to make a difference for animals. For more information on feral cat population control, humane trapping, spay/neuter release programs, and spay/neuter options, contact JCAPL..

Pictured from left to right: Odell Potter, Jennifer Byrd,
Dina Westbrook, Bill Poole, Susan Musico
Not pictured: Vicki Potter, Karen Lubeke, Ginger Oglesby