Become a Feral-Cat Feeder
Feral Cat Colony Management Tools:
Feral Cat Colony Forms (msWord format)- Please fill out and
mail, email or fax to us today so that we can work with you
to assist the cats you care for.
The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (MRFRS) is looking
for responsible individuals to feed our feral cats. These are
homeless cats who have either been abandoned by their original
owners or are the progeny of abandoned cats, and who have resorted
to their wild (or "feral") instincts to survive.
Because of their shy nature, they find it difficult to adjust
to becoming house cats. Our ferals live in managed colonies
in the greater Newburyport area, primarily along the city's
riverfront, where they help keep the rodent
population under control.
MRFRS is dedicated to making these cats' lives easier.
As a volunteer for our feral-cat program, you will be feeding "your" feral
cats at a scheduled time each week at a designated location.
Our cats are fed both wet and dry food along with fresh water
in the morning and again in the late afternoon/early evening.
The food is donated by MRFRS supporters and can be picked up
by the feral feeders at the MRFRS shelter.
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Typically, our volunteer feeders commit to one or two feedings a week,
depending on their personal schedules and commitments. When a volunteer
is unable to feed, she/he calls a substitute (usually another feeder for
that location).
Each location has a volunteer coordinator,
and the feral program itself is overseen by the program coordinator. We
feed our cats every day year-round, including holidays!
Many of the cats in our feral colonies have been with us for 5 years or more.
The nourishment we provide sustains them, and the small shelters built by volunteers
offer the cats shelter from inclement weather.
Our feeders monitor the ferals, and if any exhibit illness or injury, they
are given medical attention.
All our cats have names and distinct personalities, and some even reward our
compassion with a head-butt or purr! On a functional level, the cats work to
keep the riverfront area free of rodents. And because all our cats are spayed/neutered
and inoculated against disease, they do not contribute to cat overpopulation
or spread illness.
If you've been thinking of getting involved in community activities and you love
cats, helping our homeless ferals as a volunteer feeder could be just the thing
for you. Our veteran feeders will attest to this rewarding and humane contribution
to the community. |
