ENFIELD — The Upper Valley Humane Society completed its most visible trap-neuter-release program to date at a cat colony located near Jake’s Market and Deli in Enfield.
The nonprofit set up traps around Maple, May and Flanders streets after getting calls from residents who had seen numerous kittens in the area, said Nikki Grimes, executive director at Upper Valley Humane Society. During a six-week period, 40 cats — including 13 kittens — were caught.
“We were fairly sure this was a large community of unowned cats,” Grimes said, adding that they talked to neighbors about the program to make sure they hadn’t trapped any pets. “Not a single one has been claimed by an owner.”
Of the 40 cats trapped, 24 feral cats were returned to the site, 12 friendly cats were adopted to families and four cats were adopted to barn homes, where owners provide a safe place and food for the cats who prefer to live outside.
“That’s … 40 cats that are much better off today than they were six weeks ago,” Grimes said. “Even if they’ve been put back out into the field we can confirm that they’re healthy.”
Two staff members, three volunteers, one veterinarian, one animal health manager and two veterinary technicians worked on the program. All cats were spayed or neutered and received vaccinations.
“The younger that we’re able to bring them into our care the greater potential success they’ll have in a home,” Grimes said.
It isn’t difficult for cat colonies to grow, Grimes said. All it can take is one or two breeding pairs to get the population started.
“The population grows exponentially,” Grimes said. “If we can do something, we need to do something”
While the humane society has always assisted in TNR efforts, it has become more proactive as the organization continues to hear from people in the community about cat colonies. This year, they helped TNR about 50 cats in Bradford, Vt. Additionally, they assist people who have smaller cat colonies appear on their properties.
“We’ve made that a real priority,” Grimes said. “We’re getting more calls and also our pet food pantry clients have identified sites where there are community colonies of cats.”
The feral cats that were brought into the humane society were spayed/neutered and returned to the site within in a few days.
“It’s really best for them to be in and out of the shelter as fast as possible,” Grimes said. “It’s very stressful for a feral cat in particular.”
Editor’s note: For more information about the Upper Valley Humane Society’s TNR program, visit uvhs.org/trap-neuter-return. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
