Dec. 10, 2004 – In the past, feral cats plagued St. John's streets and dumpsters; sickly, fighting for food, and reproducing at an astounding rate, until the Animal Care Center of St. John initiated their "Feral Cat Program." But the program is in very limited operation until the Animal Care Center of St. John establishes proper funding.
The ACC's program in '04 paid for 256 feral cats to be spayed or neutered. If just half the cats altered this year by the ACC were females, and each could have had 6 kittens per litter twice this year, we would have 1,536 more cats on St. John this year alone. An average feral cat lives 7 years, thus if the program is properly funded and expands its current 10 feeding stations, the entire feral cat population can be reduced to a very controllable number.
Authorized volunteers develop a "feeding station" where feral cats can be humanely trapped, spayed/neutered at the Vet, and then returned to their "colony." Cats altered by the ACC have one ear clipped while sedated so they can be identified from those who still need to be altered.
The community must fully embrace this program soon or both residents and visitors alike will see an rapid increase in feral cats on St. John. The cat population will return to the dumpsters and residences looking for food and leaving their babies under decks and homes. Popular rental properties and resorts will be a target, so our tourism industry will be affected.
Individuals and businesses can help this important program: 1) donate money specifically tagged for the "Feral Cat Program," 2) Identify a feral cat colony near your home or office and volunteer a few hours each week to help feed, fix, and release your feline neighbors, 3) help us identify local groups or businesses who may be interested in participating in the success of this critical program.
The ACC is still in its reorganization stages and appreciates the St. John community embracing the importance of its services. Please volunteer yourself and a friend the various duties inside the ACC and within the community to support their essential services to St. John.
For more information on establishing a feeding station or how you can donate to reduce the St. John feral cat population or the ACC in general, please contact ACC Volunteer Coordinator Sheila Karcher at 774-1625, or Debbie Hime at 714-5471mail your tax deductible donation to the ACC at P.O. Box 429 St. John VI 00831.
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