Just outside of public view is a world that not many have the opportunity to see.  The world of the feral cat is a tough one.  Feral cats are basically wild cats.  These cats usually started life as the pet of someone or they are born feral.

When cats are born in the wild they face the many dangers.  From the simple flea or ear mite to being attacked by larger predators.  Many feral cats are often hit by cars or the target of mischief that leads to their demise.

Over the last few months I've started working with the Feral Colonies of Goldsboro.  I was born and raised in Goldsboro and returned here.  I never saw the cats that live here.  I went to the mall; I went to the feed store.  I never heard them.

Homeless animals are often chased off and never thought of again.  If they get in the garbage or have kittens under a house, it is only then that someone announces that something should be done about this nuisance.

Each week hubby and I head down to the feral colony in Goldsboro to set our traps.  

I've seen the world through different eyes.  The eyes of the feral cat.  These cats are scared, and smart.  They are wild and yet calm.  I've sat watching them outside my traps waiting for one to get caught.  I watch them walk around and glance over at me.  They can see me too.

Trap, Neuter & Release (TNR) is a process of setting out traps to catch the feral cats, take them to a vet for spay/neuter and shots, then releasing them back into their colony to live out the rest of their lives.  These are managed colonies.  That means that volunteers go out every day, rain or shine, to drop off food for these cats.  They check the colonies for new comers or pregnant females.  If possible when babies are found, they are socialized and placed in loving homes.

As you can imagine this is not a cheap process.  The vet trip alone, just for the surgery is $50 per cat.  Then there is the food, which can sometimes run into 3 15-lb bags of food a month.  This process is completed year after year.  Each month is seems a new face shows up at the feeding stations.  So far this year Renee’s Rescues has already completed the TNR process on 3 cats from the Goldsboro colony and 2 from a Seven Springs colony.  Kitten season hasn't even started yet.

In the Goldsboro colony we know of at least 2 nursing females.  Tomorrow hubby will set out the adult and kitten traps in hopes that we can get those in and fixed before the cycle continues.  To help us fund this, we’re setting up a new fundraiser.

Hubby has created these gorgeous cat’s eye pendants as a way to show life through the eyes of the feral.  Each pendant is 1 inch in diameter and comes on a cotton cord.  The bezel is nickel free and the image finished in resin. For all donations to Renee’s Rescues in the amount of $25.00 or more, you can show the world the eyes of the feral.

Any amount helps these cats. Donations can be made directly to SNAP in our name or food can be purchased at locale pet stores or feed supply stores which we can pick up.   If you cannot donate, please share this story so that we can help everyone see these precious animals that need protection.

Thank you,

Sosanna

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To make a donation please contact Renee's Rescues on their Facebook page or go to Sosanna's Closet webpage where a Paypal donation form has been created.