The Colony Chronicles
Volume 1, Issue 2
By Garo Alexanian,
Companion Animal NetworkTV
In furtherance of our proposed Humane
Euthanasia Act, another meeting was held with a state Senator, this time in Forsyth
County, who was also supportive of banning gassing, heartstick, and gunshot. Many more
meetings by our compassionate community have been set up. There are meetings set up for
Oct 15 and 21 with a State Senator and a House of Rep member in Watauga County,
including a local veterinarian. There is a meeting set up with a House member on Nov. 3rd
in Davie county. There is a meeting set up with a VERY important Senator on October 22nd
in Wake County. A very well known colleague of ours is personal friends with her two state
reps and guarantees the support of her reps, so we don't need meetings with them, but we
are getting advice from them on who would be the strongest primary sponsors for our
legislation. More meetings are being arranged.
A candidate for NC Agriculture Commissioner, Ronnie Ansley, recently issued the following
statement:
Ansley says, "I feel we
should do more to educate people about spaying and neutering of animals so we would not
have to address the issue of euthanasia. Unfortunately, we do have to address this issue.
I believe we should always look to the most humane way to handle euthanasia, and I do not
believe gas chambers are the way to handle this issue."
By Anna Gaither
Taking care of a feral cat colony can be an expensive, time consuming labor of love that requires daily commitment. It can be physically difficult and dangerous which I didn't realize until recently when I agreed to take care of some FFF colonies that were not mine.
My colonies are in nice neighborhoods where the landowners appreciate the help and want to see that the cats are cared for and therefore allow me access to their backyards.
Much to my surprise, many colonies are in areas that are not as secure or glad for the help.
When I arrived at one of my sub-colonies, I was horrified to see at least 10 police cars at the entrance road. Gathering my courage, I went into the mobile home park anyway, trying to be inconspicuous. I found my feeding spots, sneaked out of my car, dropped the food and left as quickly as possible.
The person for whom I was subbing assured me the police were not looking for me. This led me to think, what were they there for? Murder, domestic problems, drugs? Crimes I would certainly rather avoid. Later I found out she feeds at night, in the dark and alone.
Another one of the colony spots is what I call "the scary tree" where homeless cats are visited by homeless people with cheap beer and liquor. The people were not there when I was but the evidence was. The cats are beautiful and healthy and even friendly and I can only hope they will be okay. You must park in clear view then sneak up under a huge shady tree. The regular feeder does her job at night and alone. Oh! and by the way, there is a big "no trespassing" and "no dumping" sign threatening prosecution. (Editor's note: When the signs first appeared, the caretaker obtained permission from the property owner to continue to feed the cats on the property.)
Still another site involves mountain climbing! Up a steep hill, through brambles, bushes and thorns, not to mention mud and she also maneuvers this trek at night. She has another place beside a major highway, in a major shopping parking lot, under trees that are on a cliff so narrow you can hardly balance a dish on it. As if that isn't enough, you must fend off raccoons.
Tonight when I walk down through a backyard to my "Camp Kitty" with my flash light, I will think of all the others and say a prayer for their safety.
Since joining FFF, I have been amazed and proud of all the brave and caring members. Truer cat lovers could never be found, and I appreciate them. I wish we could tell the world what TNR means and the many wonderful cats that are saved.