When you see the chart below with the numbers of cats we’ve neutered, there is so much more detail, information, emotion!
Over 80 kittens were neutered in this time frame. Kittens that came in with their moms and were fostered together. Kittens that came in screaming for their mom, not quite weaned and needed bottle feeding to get them to eating solid foods. Kittens that were hissing and spitting and did not choose this change in their lives. Weeks of care, intense interaction to get them to the stage where they are adoptable. All neutered before being adopted, fostered, until the adoptions take place.
Over 90 ferals were neutered in June, over 80 already for July. They don’t simply come in and go back out all the time either. Some decide while they are in the trap that a life inside might be a good thing. That involves a stint in a crate and seeing just how much they are willing to invest in being a friendly. All different levels – some go into homes, some find new lodgings as working cats, situations that fit their personalities. True ferals can be a relief! Even then, a cat that was in full attack mode while in hand, can turn into a very nice cat 6 months later when all the hormones have subsided. THEN, do we try to find that cat a home?
What I’m saying is, there is more to TNR than simple surgeries! The figures seem rather stark. A total of cats TNR’d – 92 in June, 86 so far in July, 341 for the year and 13,555 since our beginning in 2007.
The chart does not show the half dozen adoption returns and elderly ferals that we have taken in in the last two months, either. A returned, 4-year-old wonderful female that had to have a dental – 9 teeth removed - upon her return. A 14-year-old former feral, emaciated, making happy paws when taken to the vet for evaluation, doing great and now adopted by his foster family. We could go on and on!
Just know that there is so much more to what we do than the facts & figures we share!
"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." (Jonas Salk)
Lots of cats, ready to go! | It took 3 cars to transport the cats from 7/14! |
It took 3 cars to transport the cats from 7/14 |
And then there are small loads - one to GEAH and two to DCAS on the same day. All important! |
The Great Veterinary Shortage
You notice that we are making more frequent trips for s/n almost each and every week? That is due to the lack of total surgery slots available to us. Vet and vet tech lives are changing; therefore, the volume of surgeries is changing. Way back when, it used to be just one trip a week. June of 2018 began our relationship with DuPage County Animal Services Mobile Spay/Neuter & Adoption Van, which reduced and then ended our very long road trips every week to PAWS in Chicago, a huge benefit. We also increased our reliance on ADOPT Pet Shelter’s clinic. Our huge flood of kittens this year has resulted in increased friendly numbers as we get them neutered and up for adoption and keep the flow going. This unfortunately can “bump” our ability to trap ferals and get them neutered as the slots get used up. Looking at last year, we are down about 80 surgeries overall compared to this time in July 2021. The situation is finally getting more national attention:
The situation may grow worse. A Mars Veterinary Health study published earlier this year estimates the country will be short 15,000 veterinarians by 2030. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has this article Crisis of Veterinary Care while the American Veterinary Medical Association writes that The profession is in dire need of more practitioners.
Glen Ellyn Animal Hospital hosts externs and interns in their practice. One of our friendlies from the street, Petey, was able to take advantage of being neutered and his injured paw cared for on July 21st at GEAH under the care of their current extern and Dr. Klazura, staff vet - he's doing well!
We are doing our best with fewer resources. In the meantime, be nice to the vets you use – they are under a huge amount of stress, just like we are!
Where Did Your Cat Come From?
It is very important that adopters find out the source of the cats/kittens they adopt. We are very lucky to have partners that take our cats for adoption in addition to our own adoptions. This topic can be difficult to discuss, but while we are caring for so many animals in our area, fighting so hard, how can more be imported from other areas, towns, states and even countries? It can be devastating to me when I hear of a shelter taking in, say 50 cats from another state, directly impacting the adoptions of 50 local cats. Directly impacting all cats in the area from finding and staying in homes. We have limited resources in regards to adoptive homes, veterinary care, etc. In an airplane, put your own mask on first before you help others so that you CAN help others. Help our local cats first so that effort can spread, THEN move on to a wider scope. We are all finding that resources are finite, we need to use our own local resources to fix our local issues, first.
July 30th Adoption Event
We have some WONDERFUL kittens waiting for homes! Just a portion of those available will be at our building, 330 Eisenhower Ln N, Lombard, on Saturday, July 30th. If you would like to get pre-approved for same-day adoption, please email us (by noon Friday, July 29th) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We often receive dozens and dozens of applications, please don’t wait 'til the last minute, do it now, as you read this! Our kittens are fostered in foster homes and not all can attend the adoption events. Our adoption counselors take great care in matching the right kittens with the right families, some cats do not even get posted before adoption as they are matched up in advance. The efforts our fosters put into raising the happiest kittens, that they know all about, is exemplary. Hope to see you there!
Six 7 day old kittens came in with their mom. At the building, doing well! |
(Click on any of the picture thumbnails to see a full-size version)