Hands up if you are going to be TNRing cats in your community! Once overnight temperatures are consistently above zero, it’s go time. If you are already set up to get your area cats spayed, and neutered, and round up kittens, thank you for being part of the solution! It’s all too easy to turn a blind eye to what’s happening on your block, or across the street. Someone I worked with at a shelter in Winnipeg said, “If you look too hard, it will drive you crazy.” They were absolutely right. And once you see what’s going on in your community, you really can’t sit around and do nothing. At least, I couldn’t.

Before WLCA showed up in the areas we currently manage, cats suffered in many ways. TNR means reducing the incidence of all forms of cruelty by heading reproduction rates off at the pass. WLCA’s venture into TNR started in 2015 on a block with 40 cats and kittens. Residents hated seeing them starving in the cold and finding them injured, or dead, on the street. These people felt powerless as none of the cats were friendly and they couldn’t pick any of them up.

A social worker notified us of the situation and Kathy and I set out to do some recon. We discovered a newcomer to Canada feeding them all. Although this compassionate person was helping them stay alive, there was nothing done to stem the tide of litter after litter. With the help of Craig Street Cats and Darcy’s ARC, all the cats were rounded up and most found homes. A few were returned to the area to be cared for by residents. Those cats lived another 10 years.

Today, WLCA manages two north end blocks. One is where this story unfolded and the other is in a different area. WLCA also helps others manage their own blocks. We provide access to low-cost spay and neuter services, trapping techniques and colony management education. Unfortunately, because of high demand for surgeries, we have had our slots reduced to three per month at WHS. So, for the foreseeable future, WLCA can’t take on any new managers.

Fortunately, Craig Street Cats is still offering classes and accepting new clients. If you need to get on-board the TNR train, you can inquire about their colony manager program.

I love writing articles, recipes and updates every month for all of you. I think you know that. However, there isn’t enough time to fit everything in for the short summer we get around here and spend time indoors writing. I have a major renovation, a minor renovation, stuff that needs fixing around the house, my garden because food is so expensive (why not grow your own?) and a bunch of TNR and rescue where the cats will be going to a rural, protected living situation.

I will continue to respond to email but will not be doing monthly newsletter roundups until September. TNR surgeries will continue and funds always could use topping up, so anyone who has a few dollars to spare, we have items at Missy Mia’s Emporium you might be interested in, or e-transfers to donate@winnipeglostcatassistance.ca are great, too.

Also, I would love to get your input for new articles for the fall. Are you interested in any cat-related topics that may be of relevance to others? Would you like to see other types of animal-free recipes? What would you like to read about? Have your say! Use the contact form to get in touch!

Have a great summer, everyone!