We need Volunteers for GTA feral cats!

The Toronto Feral Cat Trap-Neuter-Return Coalition, was formed in May 2010 by nine community groups working together to address the feral cat problem in Toronto.  These groups include: Toronto Animal Services, Toronto Humane Society, Toronto Feral Cat Project, Animal Alliance, Toronto Cat Rescue, Annex Cat Rescue, Action Volunteers for Animals, R.A.I.N (Representing Animals in Need), Urban Cat Relief and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  The overall goal of the coalition is to implement strategic Trap Neuter Return programs throughout Toronto, resulting in a reduction in the feral cat overpopulation in the GTA and improvement in the welfare of homeless cats. This model of a city-wide coalition approach to TNR is recognized as the most effective strategy for managing feral cat populations (http://www.neighborhoodcats.org). 

 

The formation of a Coalition in Toronto has meant that caretakers are getting the assistance  they need to Trap, Neuter, Return colonies in their community.  To better support our community of caretakers, The TFCtnrC is seeking volunteers to help with our mandate.  We will provide training and mentorship for new volunteers. 

 

For more detailed information on the trap-neuter-return process please visit:

http://www.petsmartcharities.org/resources/i-see-cats.html

 

We need people who would like to do any or all of the following:

1. trap feral cats
2. provide recovery space
3. transport feral cats to veterinary clinics for sterilization and to recovery space after sterilization – usually on the same day
4. transport feral cats from recovery space back to their colony

 

Training will be provided (through the Toronto Feral Cat Project) for those interested in learning to trap feral cats and we would provide mentor trappers that you could join to continue with your training.  The ultimate goal would be to place you on a list where the TFCtnrC could contact you to help with trapping of colony cats when needed.  A training session has been scheduled for Saturday June 9^th at the Toronto Humane Society (11 River Street, Toronto).

 

For those interested in providing recovery space – the space would need to be temperature controlled to provide a comfortable environment that traps/carriers could be brought to for the cats to recover from sterilization surgery.  Caretakers would visit the space twice daily to care for the cats – give food/water and clean.  The cats would need to recover for a period of 1 to 7 days depending on the cat.  They would then be transported to be returned to their colony.

 

The best vehicles for transporting feral cats are vans as they can house the traps more comfortably than a car, but we are happy to use whatever vehicle you have.  You would need to line your vehicle with a plastic tarp to keep it clean – the TFCtnrC may be able to provide assistance with this.

 

If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions, please let me know!

 

On behalf of the Coalition and the cats, THANK YOU for caring!

Lia and the AAC / AAEVPC crew

P.S.  You can view a video about the Coalition  - "Compassion in Action" by EK Park - by visiting http://vimeo.com/41095624

Compassion in Action

Animal Alliance is part of the amazing Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition.

Check out this video about an incredible group of people and the cats we help!

http://torontobodymind.ca/articles/compassion-action-solving-torontos-homeless-cat-problem


 
If anyone would like to help us help the cats, please visit http://www.torontostreetcats.com/

Thanks!

Saving a Predatory Life

Below is an amazing story about a recent rescue by Animal Alliance board member and Born Free USA's Canadian Representative, Barry MacKay.

 

***** 

 

by Barry Kent MacKay,
Senior Program Associate

Born Free USA's Canadian Representative 

 

Death, Life and a Hawk Named Eve 

 

Saving a Predatory Life

Published 04/20/12

When I first saw Eve, in mid-March, I thought I should probably kill her. It would be easier than having to do it later on, after I had come to know her. Twenty minutes earlier a gentleman had called to say he had just picked up a “peregrine falcon” lying on its back on the 9th Line, the rather heavily travelled north-south road just a short distance from my home. Since I walk or drive the 9th Line almost daily, I knew there were red-tailed hawks in the neighborhood. He had heard of my work with birds and asked if I would take the bird. I told him to bring it over.

When I opened the box, there was a year-old red-tailed hawk, on her feet, but with her head grotesquely twisted down under her belly. I picked her up. She tried and failed to focus on what was happening, but couldn’t manage to control her head movements. There were drops of blood on her ear covets, but I could find no broken bones. Her neurological symptoms were consistent with a concussion derived from a collision with a car. Red-tailed hawks fly down from high perches, entirely concentrated on their prey, and too often swoop low across roads and are struck by vehicles. Brain damage can be permanent, and if so, euthanasia would become the most humane option. It’s harder to do, though, once one has gotten to know the bird. On the other hand, didn’t she deserve a chance?   Read more...

The Coyote Conundrum

A good article in the April 7th National Post, applicable to most urban environments these days:

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04/07/the-coyote-conundrium-as-wild-animals-get-bolder-some-question-if-we-can-safely-coexist

"The biggest problem is man’s love/hate relationship with the natural world."

Fundraiser for Project Jessie!

For anyone who is able to make it, proceeds from the show are being donated to Project Jessie!

Thanks, Danish!!

http://www.facebook.com/events/121407274656179/