Grant to Cumberland County Animal Control aims to address feral cat problem

The county’s feline trap program, known as Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release is launching with financial help from the Best Friends Animal Society/Rachel Ray Foundation, which provided a $21,500 grant to the county’s program.

With funding, this will also allow for more equipment and supplies to be purchased to go towards surgeries at the shelter as well as the TNVR program.

“Each year, the shelter takes in over 5,000 cats, which is approximately 46 percent of the animals entering the facility,” Animal Control Director Elaine Smith said in a written statement. “Many of these cats are feral, meaning that they roam free, don’t have owners and are unsocialized to humans. Feral cats are highly unlikely to be adopted, and usually must be euthanized.”

The Feral Cat Coalition of Cumberland County is a volunteer group that helps the county implement its TNVR program.

“TNVR programs help address the core issues associated with this population, which is mainly uncontrolled reproduction and deadly diseases. Cats are humanely trapped, neutered by a veterinarian, vaccinated against diseases such as rabies, and released where they were found,” Smith said.

Anyone who needs assistance with feral cats may contact Traci Cardenas at feralcatcoalition1@gmail.com for more information.