Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Last updated on January 17, 2010

Colony feeders and trappers are needed for Marin's feral cats. They often live behind apartment buildings, next to dumpsters and on hillsides. With our help, they are able to live not unlike the typical outdoor domestic cat. We humanely trap the cats, have them spayed and neutered, vaccinated, then ear-tipped for identification and released back to their colonies. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the only proven way to keep populations under control while also allowing the cats to live free from starvation and disease.

Volunteers feed the colonies with food provided by Marin Friends of Ferals. They also monitor the cats for signs of illness so they can be re-trapped for veterinary attention, if necessary. Cats are fed once a day, generally in the morning or afternoon. Feeding times are flexible but done preferably before dusk so the cats don't have to compete with wildlife for their food. We have colonies all over Marin, from Sausalito to Novato. Volunteers can feed just once a week or as many times a week as they prefer. Feeding generally takes no more than 10-15 minutes at any particular location and volunteers can feed at one location or as many as they want. Once a colony gets to know a feeder, they will often be waiting at mealtime for their caretaker to arrive. They come running at the sound of our cars and in some cases, feeders are able to pet, play with and generally develop bonds with their colony cats.
Trappers use traps supplied by Marin Friends of Ferals. Trapping is generally done around dusk but is sometimes done in the early morning, depending on the colony. Once a cat is trapped, it is transported to the Marin Humane Society where a technician takes the cat for processing to be spayed or neutered. Trapping can take an hour or more but can often be accomplished within minutes, again depending on the colony.
These forgotten felines are the offspring of domestic cats that were not spayed or neutered and then lost, abandoned or "dumped" with the belief that they would survive by hunting rodents. Sadly, this is not the case and many cats die from starvation.
It's very rewarding and heartening to know we make a difference in the lives of animals who live as they do simply because of irresponsible humans. Volunteering just one hour a week will help ensure Marin's forgotten felines are no longer forgotten.

Volunteer feeders are taken to the feeding sites to meet the colonies and shown where to feed and how much. Having a vehicle is generally necessary to be able to reach the location unless you live within walking distance to one of the colonies. We feed rain or shine so sometimes it's wet and possibly a bit muddy if feeding on a hillside. No hill climbing is involved but there are sometimes stairs to negotiate.
Trappers are shown how to use the 2 different traps and then accompanied in the field until comfortable being on their own. With the "drop trap" it's necessary for 2 people to trap together whereas the standard metal traps can be used by one person. Because the drop trap is 3 feet X 3 feet, those using that trap would need a vehicle such as a SUV or truck. Standard traps can be transported in in the backseat of a car.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Marin Friends Of Ferals

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Young Adults (18-25) Adults (55+) We need volunteers who are free at these times Weekly

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Contact Person: Janet Williams, President, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

PO Box 6282 San Rafael, CA 94903

Web Site: http://www.marinferals.org

Last updated on January 17, 2010

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