Saint Francis of Assisi
The day starts out like any other as you approach the trap you've been watching for the last hour. The neighborhood cats are weary of you, but they shouldn't be - you come to offer your help, not to harm them. The long hair white male with bright blue eyes stare back at you, and you realize he can't be more than a year old. He ceases his frantic efforts at escape as you approach, and eyes you wearily - his bright blue eyes piercing yours. He's already shredded the newspaper lining, and turned over the can of tuna-flavored cat food you used as bait, and it's only been four minutes since you've trapped him. It will be at least 8 hours before he is free from the cage, but that can't be helped.
Softly apologizing in what you hope is a calming tone, you quickly glance him over, checking for problems that must be treated while he is under a general anesthesia. His long hair is matted, and has even been torn out in the throat area. You spot several fleas, and notice his ears are infected from mites. Jotting the information down on a clipboard, you then place a towel over the top of the cage before loading him into the back of the truck. If your luck holds, you will have repeated this scene six times by morning, and that's not counting the ones that you will release because their ear tipping signifies that they have already undergone the process.
Today is October 16 - National Feral Cat Day, as it has become known internationally by animal rescuers, thanks to the committed efforts of Alley Cat Allies. It is a day to recognize the growing problems of feral cats, and their place in our lives whether we are aware of it or not. National Feral Cat Day is more than just thinking about the problem, though. It is a day of action - where veterinarians throughout the U.S. offer their services to these felines.
By 4:00 am, you have maxed out your six traps. The contents of your truck include a pure black male, who you noted was deaf; a calico female who recently gave birth; two gray male shorthaired cats; a tiger striped female; and the first one you caught - who you've affectionately nicknamed "Booger," due to a lack of creativity and the late hour.
The site for the spay/neuter clinic is as wild as the hundreds of cats that have been brought here, trapped and distressed as they await their unknown fate. You sign in, and the volunteer thanks you - thanks you - for making more work for them! Animal rescuers are truly a noble people. You think to yourself.
Today, you are trading out your cats' spay and neuters by volunteering with the "aftercare" section. And so, after your cats cages are tagged to assure a return to the same location, you enter the hospital. It's quite a spectacle. On duty are five veterinarians, and too many volunteers to count. Your assignment is in the hallway of the hospital at a long cardboard table. You will be checking each cat as they come through for anything that can be solved in less than ten minutes, and administering vaccinations.
