I love animals. My family always had dogs, but I didn’t get my first cat until I got married. “Patches” was a stray who had kittens under the in-law’s shed. She moved in with us and quickly became my cat. When she died, I was at the SPCA within the week, coming home with two kittens. I could not handle an empty house. Fifteen years later, when they got sick, I started volunteering with a rescue for “kitty therapy”. We enjoyed feeding neighborhood strays and as one started bringing kittens for dinner, we began trapping. These kittens deserved more than life outside- begging for food and hunting for shelter. We trapped thirteen cats for rescue before moving out of Delaware County. 
Within two weeks of moving to Marietta, I found five kittens in my yard. I immediately felt at home and began feeding but also realized we needed to Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR). We set traps and caught four cats within the first three months. I found the “Cat Whisperer” of the neighborhood and we figured there were about 10-12 cats- including the four already neutered. Unfortunately, by Easter there were 3 litters of kittens (11 total), doubling the size of our colony. Thus, the Marietta Cat Action Team (MCAT) was born. If this was happening on West Market Street, what was happening boroughwide? We started trapping, neutering, and adopting out sociable kittens. Despite our efforts, there were more litters born in our colony after the April Crew.
Let’s look at the math- 11 + 11 +6 + “unknown”. That is how fast a colony can get out of control. Of the twenty eight cats, we have trapped twenty five. One was a pregnant female who delivered six kittens in rescue. We believe we have two adult females, the male, and one litter to trap yet. If we had done nothing, there would be 35-40 cats in the 500 block of West Market Street in under a year!
MCAT is my retirement project. Although I love kittens, I feel strongly that they deserve better than a life on the streets. We will never help them all, but for those we do catch, life will be healthier.
Every day on social media there are posts with unwanted cats and dogs- some surrendered due to circumstances beyond owner’s control, some simply abandoned. It breaks my heart. In the last issue, we talked about the benefits of controlling the feral/stray cat population in Marietta, but I want to review them once more. Sterilized cats generally enjoy better health, lowering their risk of certain cancers. Vaccinations protect both the cats and the community from rabies. Neutering helps reduce aggressive behaviors with less fighting, yowling, and spraying to mark territory. And of course, fewer unwanted kittens. Win-win for everyone!
As of November 1, MCAT has trapped 43 cats. Thirteen have been adopted locally, seven are in a foster home headed for rescue when they are older, nineteen were released to their original colony. There are seven kittens fixed last month that we are hoping to find homes for.
How you can help-
Report your colony- A few people have contacted us for help, but I know there are more colonies out there! Email the address and approximate number of cats. We must have permission to place traps on a property. Also, anyone feeding that colony will need to withhold food for a day or two. Communication is important! Cats will return to their original location after surgery and recovery.
Donate- Every appointment is $50 for surgery, rabies and distemper vax, flea treatment, and ear tip. If additional services are needed, the vet will advise. Visit our website for a link to the donation page. We are a 501C nonprofit, so your donation is tax-deductible if applicable under law.
Fix your cat- especially if you allow it to roam. There are low cost spay/neuter clinics if cost is a deterrent for you. I am working on a list and can help if you need one.
Thank you for your support!
Beth
Website- mariettapacat.org
Facebook- Marietta Cat Action Team
Mcat17547@gmail.com