This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Sat Nov 23 12:48:31 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Shelburne’s Feral Cat Rescue program --------------------------------------------------- Little is known about the wonderful volunteers who donate their time, their homes, their money, and often a great deal of their lives to the Feral Cat Rescue effort which is in ever growing need of donations and support. Shelburne had its fair share of the feral cat problem but until recently, did not have our own local hero doing her part to save these beautiful creatures born to the wild. Local business woman, owner of Sharon's Cakes, Sharon Morden, a Master Cake Decorator is devoted to feral cat rescue. “My father was always rescuing strays of all kinds. We grew up with Alligators in the basement. Eventually they were donated to the Toronto Zoo. At one point we had 15 turtles, a five legged frog, snakes, and being in Reptile Rescue, my father had so many different kinds of rescues, even an Iguana, but the Alligators were his pets,” Morden reminisces fondly. “That's probably why I rescue. I'm following what I was always apart of and taking after my father.” As fond as Morden's memories are, her devotion and dedication to the program and it's “trap, neuter, return” slogan far surpass a need to help out and volunteer from time to time. Morden's life is full and rewarding. The good this volunteer is doing is as commendable as the cause she serves. Initially working out of  the Owen Sound location, Morden has now set up a Shelburne movement and ‘Trap-Neuter-Return' is not only a message to the public but also a procedure to follow. As colonies of feral cats are discovered, Morden recommends it's best to report the exact location to Feral Cat Rescue for monitoring and trapping. The idea is to try and get the population under control by neutering and returning the cat to its colony to live out its life healthfully and without reproducing. Why bother? Health issues surrounding feral cats and their effect on the environment is one very important reason. Often colonies of cats are found to be flea ridden, full of ear mites, suffering intestinal disorders from consuming garbage where rodents often dwell, and more often than not suffer ring worm and respiratory infections. Feral Cat Rescue volunteers are an essential positive reinforcement towards protecting the cats and the community in that trapped cats are not only neutered they are treated for the above mentioned serious problems before returned to their environment. The effect is astounding as the returned healthy cats are less likely spread disease or impact the community environment in a negative manner as they will be monitored and fed by Feral Cat Rescue. Morden mentions that there is a great need for more volunteers, foster homes and donations. Feral Cat Rescue will provide litter boxes, and food for anyone who wants to become a foster parent. Local financial donations can be made at the TD Bank and the money will go towards traps, food, neutering, veterinary care and any medicine required. Any pet adopted from Feral Cat Rescue can be returned and must be returned to them if the adoption does not work out for any reason, clearly placing the cat's well being up front and centre. “We've already started a new fundraising initiative where for $110 we will drive your cat to Barrie and back the same day for spay or neutering, and a breakdown of the cost is $40 for the safe transport fee and $65 paid directly to SPCA for the spay or neutering. It's really a great deal for any cat owner,” explained Morden. One myth that should be immediately dispelled regards Feral Cats attacking people. “You'll never find a case where a Feral cat attacked people. They are too frightened of people to even make contact,” Morden continued to explain, “ Often rescues, once socialized can become very devoted pets. Also, some of the feral kittens, once rescued and socialized properly in a home can become the most loyal and loving pets following a bonding process. Bonding is huge for a feral cat and when that happens, its forever.” Anyone interested in meeting Morden and get more information on Feral Cat Rescue first hand can go to Pet Valu, Saturday 18th after 2 p.m. for cupcakes and if you are lucky, you will get to meet a rescued Feral kitten, but beware; these little cuties will tug at your heart strings! Even those who are not cat lovers will be unable to dismiss their charms and recognise the importance of Morden's work. Contact Sharon Morden at Feral Cat Rescue at 519-278-0707, go to www.feralcatrescue.ca or email info@feralcatrescue.ca for more information and Like Feral Cat Rescue on Facebook go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Feral-Cat-Rescue/ Students looking to help their community while working off community school service hours are welcome. By Alex Sher Photo by Alex SherSharon Morden, Volunteer at Feral Cat Rescue, Shelburne location, proudly explains how the organization makes Feral Cat insulated winter cat houses and demonstrates how the actual rescue traps work. These two little cuties are examples are Feral kittens rescued by the Feral Cat Rescue Volunteers and once cared for and socialized, they will be able to be adopted and make some lucky person the most loved pet owner. There will never be anyone more important in those little eyes as the person they bond with. --------------------------------------------------- Images: https://shelburnefreepress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Feral-Cats-1-300x225.jpg https://shelburnefreepress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Feral-Cats3-300x225.jpg --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2014-01-15 15:57:28 Post date GMT: 2014-01-15 20:57:28 Post modified date: 2014-01-22 13:46:15 Post modified date GMT: 2014-01-22 18:46:15 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com