By Sara Beth Williams–
Thirty-two feral cats were trapped and neutered last Friday at Citrus Heights’ new low cost spay and neuter clinic, with over half covered through fundraising done by local animal rescue and nonprofit groups.
Over two thousand dollars was raised in August for trapping, neutering, and releasing (known as TNR) feral cats, and for adoption of kittens, through collaborative efforts from Friends of Felines Rescue and Citrus Heights Rescues Animals. The organizers dubbed it, “The Pawsibility Project.”
The Pawsibility Project raised an estimated $2,500 through two main fundraising events: a Yoga with Kittens event held Aug. 18, and another craft vendor fair held earlier in August at the Crafted Canvas in Fair Oaks.
Citrus Heights Rescues Animals founder Melissa Hayden said money raised goes directly to either Friends of Felines Rescue or directly into an account with FeildHaven Feline Center, a nonprofit that focuses on spaying and neutering feral cats.
Different funding has been coming in from all over, following the initial fundraising events, Hayden said. Someone also recently donated just this week, after hearing about the rescue of a cat who had been hit by a car.
Following the fundraising project, Citrus Heights Rescues Animals advertised a “Free TNR Day,” for Oct. 30, inviting community members to bring feral cats to FieldHaven’s new clinic to be neutered at no cost.
The goal was, and has always been, to help reduce the community feral cat colonies in Citrus Heights, Hayden said.
Several residents who live in Citrus Heights, who were concerned about the feral cat population, helped to trap feral cats, and bring them in, many of whom were not regular trappers, Hayden said, adding that a total of 32 cats were brought in and spay and neutered in one day.
Normally, FieldHaven charges $75 for altering feral cats, Hayden said.
Just over half of the cats brought in were female, and 15 were male. One cat brought in was found to already be altered, so it was microchipped and vaccinated, Hayden said.
There are several community feral colony caretakers, most have to pay out of pocket to feed and to try and trap and neuter feral cats. Some even pay for other veterinary services for feral cats, such as illnesses and injuries.
Citrus Heights Rescues Animals is a community run Facebook group that was launched about three years ago, and does not have a nonprofit status, which is why all monetary donations go directly to FieldHaven.
“I started the page to bring the community, Animal Control, the City Council, and other rescues and rescuers, together, to help with the welfare of the animals in our community,” Hayden said, adding that, “Together we are stronger, and we can help more animals.”
More information about Citrus Heights Rescues Animals and the two nonprofit organizations can be found below:
Citrus Heights Rescues Animals | Facebook
