The Colony Chronicles
Volume 2, Issue 3
FFF Bake Sale/Father's Day Gift Wrap
On June 4, Forgotten Felines of Forsyth held a bake sale/gift wrap at Thruway Shopping Center in Winston-Salem. Many thanks to the Great Outdoor Provision Company for hosting our sale. FFF Volunteers contributed delicious baked goods, pet-themed gift items, and their time on a sweltering Saturday. Thanks to all for a successful day! FFF raised over $500, enough for our monthly spay/neuter clinic. Below are some photos of the event.
Top photo: FFF volunteers - Standing (left
to right): Judy J, Diana P, and Anna G
Seated (left to right): Robin F and Carole R
Middle photo: Sue L, Robin F
Bottom photo (left to right): Carole R, Cindy K, Deb S, and Khristin S
Thanks to everyone for your excellent work!
By Judy J.
In June, a Forgotten Felines of Forsyth volunteer received an email from Forsyth County Animal Control (FCAC) to notify her that a cat with a microchip registered through FFF had turned up at the facility and was available for retrieval and return to its colony. She was thrilled that this cat would be able to return to its colony. Not too long ago, the return of a feral cat to its colony would not have been possible, due to local animal ordinances.
"FFF and Forsyth County Animal Control have worked together to create a pilot TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) program in Forsyth County. With this program in place, feral cats entering Animal Control that can be identified as members of a recognized colony can be returned to the colony. This was our first success story," stated Diana Perkinson, FFF secretary.
FFF maintains contact information for the caretaker as well as a photograph and medical records for the cat. The colony caretaker was surprised to get a phone call letting her know that the cat was in the custody of FCAC—the yellow tabby had not been seen during a few of her daily feedings but, as this was not unusual, she did not realize he was missing.
As a part of the agreement between FCAC and FFF, Animal Control provided FFF with microchips. Last fall, FFF began microchipping all of the cats that pass through their trap-neuter-return program. A microchip broadcasts a unique number which is detected with a handheld scanner allowing positive identification of the microchipped animal. FFF maintains a list of all implanted microchip numbers along with name and phone number of the colony caretaker. After each spay neuter clinic, FFF provides a list of these numbers to Forsyth County Animal Control. If a microchipped cat ends up at FCAC, FFF will be contacted. If the criteria for a recognized colony have been met, the cat can be released to FFF for return to the colony,
Several steps are required of the colony caretaker in order to qualify as a recognized colony and participate in the program. The colony must be registered by the caretaker at www.forsythferalcat.org and the owner of the property where the colony is located must provide written permission to do so. Additionally, the caretaker must make reasonable efforts to spay or neuter and vaccinate the members of the colony.
Anyone in Forsyth County may register a feral cat colony at Forsyth Feral Cat Database; however, in order to receive the microchip the caretaker must work with FFF. All cats spayed or neutered by FFF are photographed, when possible, for our records; receive rabies and distemper vaccinations; are treated for fleas and parasites; and receive a left ear notch or tip. Detailed records are maintained and this information must be provided to Forsyth County Animal Control in order to retrieve the cat.
Programs such as the program between FFF and FCAC provide many benefits. Not only is the animal’s life saved—and the caretaker’s worries diminished—but members of the community can rest assured knowing that cats in recognized colonies are sterilized, vaccinated and monitored.
If you maintain a feral cat colony, you will help your cats and feral cats throughout the area by registering your colony in the Forsyth County Feral Cat Database. It's fast and easy and, once you're signed up, you'll be eligible for free and low cost product giveaways as donations become available.
The Forsyth Feral Cat Database was established with a grant from Neighborhood Cats. It is just one of the ways that Forgotten Felines of Forsyth helps to ensure that feral cats are treated with compassion and respect and that caretakers are provided with the services they need.
