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'I Decided I Had To Do Something'--42 Feral Cats Saved Since August

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‘I Decided I Had To Do Something’––

42 Feral Cats Saved Since August

By Dottie Evans

Usually, the story matters more than the numbers.

But in the case of a Newtown woman who, since August of this year, has saved a grand total of 42 feral cats from certain death by disease, freezing and/or starvation –– the numbers are worth noting.

With the help of two friends who share her love of animals, Dolores Miller recently took it upon herself to do something to help cats she has observed nearby her workplace that are running wild in what are called feral colonies.

Feral cats, she explained, are cats that have become wild through escape from domestic situations or because they have been abandoned. Most often, they are born in the wild from within a feral colony, where the cats have not been spayed or neutered. Cats living within feral colonies may not ever have been vaccinated. Their presence can constitute a health hazard to any domestic animals or even to humans living in the area.

Humane concerns were even more disturbing to Ms Miller than health issues, she said.

“In the course of my work, I would come across these colonies. I just hated to see the suffering. I always tried to help them out, but until recently had not really tackled the problem.”

She chose not to disclose the nature or location of her work, except to say that it was in nearby Southbury.

“Out of concern, I went to the local infection control committee and made a plea for humanitarian action. I was concerned with the transmission of rabies, and I wanted to get the cats vaccinated and off the grounds. I’m glad to say they gave me the go ahead,” she said.

That was in August.

Now, 42 cats later, Ms Miller says she has not even begun to make a dent in the local feral cat population that she is aware of.

“But I don’t get discouraged because I feel wonderful when any one of them is saved. It’s so rewarding to see them make it. The last litter was two weeks ago. The mother had them in a cellar grate outside of a building. They would have all been dead now, but today they are so full of life. That’s what keeps me going.”

How To Trap A Feral Cat

Ms Miller explained that “feral cats really want to be with people, but they are trapped in a horrible situation. They may have been breeding in this way for years.

“Often, through natural selection, the ones that survive are highly intelligent and very cautious. They may also be exceptionally healthy and live a long time,” she added.

“If someone sees a litter born in the wild, I am the animal rescuer person that they call. That’s how I heard about the kittens born in the basement grate.

“It took three hours to get them all out of there. We had to go through a window. The mother had found a crawlspace. She was absolutely covered with fleas. It was a very difficult rescue. The kittens were so emaciated, weak, and anemic from the flea bites, that they were too weak to follow their mother when we lured her out with food.

“On their last breath, they crawled out on a little ramp we put up, following the scent of canned mackerel. It was really stinky, but it did the job,” Ms Miller said.

She added, this was the worst case she had seen during her 35 years of helping animals.

“Their hip bones were protruding and their gums were white from anemia.”

Ms Miller has two good friends living in Oxford and Stratford who help. Between the three of them, they have paid from $800 to $2,000 out of their pockets to medicate and care for the cats, buying special formula and premium food.

“With the little kittens, Mary Ellen did 24-hour nursing. She lifted their heads and got the food in with a syringe.”

Now those kittens have been placed, and the mother is still at her friend’s house.

“She is still very sensitive, but she is beginning to trust us more. And you should see her with the new kittens we bring in. She sniffs each one, puts her paw on it, then licks it all over head to toe, and nurses it.”

When older feral cats are brought in, they are crated and kept in a room with a person so they will get used to proximity with humans.

“We are desperately in need of temporary places to keep them before rehabilitation begins. A garage or a warm barn, any place where they can be fed that is warm and quiet.”

Support From Newtown Spay And Neuter

Penny Meek, treasurer of the Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN), has been in touch with Ms Miller upon several occasions over the past year-and-a-half concerning the feral cat rescues.

“When she calls for assistance, we try to help. We have certificates for reduced rates for spaying, neutering, and shots,” Ms Meek said.

“The vets we work with automatically give them shots. But someone has to pay,” she added.

Ms Miller has been going primarily to two vets, Dr Munson of Oxford, and Dr Vargose of Woodbury.

“She’s doing a bang-up job and she’s great at placing the cats. She also has friends that help socialize them before they go into homes. That’s what takes so much time. You learn to use food to bring them forward,” Ms Meek said.

Interestingly, Ms Miller, who moved to Newtown in 1972, was a founding member of the Spay and Neuter Association long ago. She has kept up with the association though she had not met Ms Meek until the SNAN Holiday Party that was held December 8.

“She just popped in and said ‘I’m Dolores. Let me do something.’ She offered her services for the auction and made us $75.”

For anyone who opens up his or her home to a rehabilitated feral cat, Ms Meek cautioned that the cat should not be allowed out of the house for a “good long time.”

“They need to become accustomed to not being scared, and to having food and warmth, so that they’ll know where they belong. Then that’s where they want to stay.”

Anyone wishing to adopt or help rehabilitate a feral cat, or who would like to help should call Dolores Miller at 203-232-8014. Donations may also be made to the Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN). The organization meets the third Friday of each month at 10 am at the C.H. Booth Library. For more information, call 426-5730.

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