Cat Action Team (C.A.T.) Project

After a resident of the Village of Dolgeville was bitten by a rabid feral cat, it came to the attention of several Dolgeville Forward members that the Village had a serious issue involving feral cat colonies. It was then that the members banded together to address the feral cat issue and the C.A.T. Project was launched.

TNR - Trap, Neuter, Return - How It Works

C.A.T. Project volunteer Penny Primeau transports a trapped feral cat to an organization for spaying/neutering.

C.A.T. Project volunteer Penny Primeau transports a trapped feral cat to an organization for spaying/neutering.

  • First, C.A.T. Project members are made aware of feral colonies throughout the Village.

  • Members trap the feral cats and any kittens in the colonies.

  • Cats and kittens who are old enough are taken to veterinarians to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and treated for fleas.

  • Cats that are deemed too feral to be domesticated are returned to their colonies. Once returned, however, they are unable to reproduce, stop marking their territory, and cannot contract or transmit rabies. This eventually reduces the population of the feral cat colony.

  • Cats and kittens that are deemed able to be domesticated are fostered until they can be adopted into loving homes.

As of November 5, 2020, 46 male cats have been neutered, 52 female cats have been spayed, and an additional 4 cats, already altered were vaccinated against rabies. 53 cats have been rescued and fostered adopted! (This does not include the 40 cats spayed/neutered at the FARVets clinic in December, 2020!)

How Is TNR Funded?

Of course, a program like TNR requires funding. The C.A.T. Project TNR program is funded in many ways:

  • Through fundraisers, such as garage/yard sales.

  • Through the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and organizations.

  • Through grants from organizations such as The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and Staffworks’ “Save A Life” matching grant initiative.

  • Through partnerships with area animal shelters and veterinarian practices.

A Dream Come True - A Local Spay/Neuter Clinic

Dawn Glode, (left), owner of Dawn’s Dawgs, graciously allowed FARVets to use her grooming studio to perform spay/neuter procedures for 40 cats during a two-day clinic in December, 2020. Pictured in the center are FARVets volunteers Dr. Jami Landry …

Dawn Glode, (left), owner of Dawn’s Dawgs, graciously allowed FARVets to use her grooming studio to perform spay/neuter procedures for 40 cats during a two-day clinic in December, 2020. Pictured in the center are FARVets volunteers Dr. Jami Landry and Dr. Paul Maza. Dawn’s daughter, Kasey Daley (right), assisted during the clinic. She is pictured with “Tink”, one of the clinic’s patients!

In December, 2020, the C.A.T Project partnered with the non-profit veterinarian organization, FARVets to sponsor a two-day clinic to spay/neuter 40 cats - 20 feral and 20 domesticated from owners with limited ability to pay for veterinary services. With generous donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations, the C.A.T. Project’s goal is to hold more clinics in the future.

How Can You Help?

Anyone wishing to donate to this very successful program helping to improve community health and safety may:

Since Dolgeville Forward, Inc. is a registered not-for-profit, all donations are tax deductible.