Community Cat Project
Community Cat Project Introduction The term “Community Cat” refers to cats that are feral, abandoned, lost, injured or stray, and living in close proximity to people. Such animals are currently estimated to total more than 70,000,000 nationwide and pose major problems regarding the spread of diseases such as rabies and preying on millions of wildlife (especially birds). The City of Winnemucca and Humboldt County are currently experiencing serious problems with community cats because there is no management program in effect. There are numerous community cat colonies throughout the area with countless numbers of animals which are unsterilized and not vaccinated for diseases. This allows the cats to reproduce at an alarming, exponential rate-one mating pair can produce offspring which can geometrically result in more than 100,000 cats in less than two years! Other control methods have been used throughout the country such as trapping along with euthanasia or relocation. These are not successful because cats are territorial and when they are permanently removed from their colonies, other cats move in and occupy these areas. If little or nothing is done (current situation) to reduce the numbers of community cats in our city and county, the problems will only intensify and worsen in the future. This is not just a moral issue of humane treatment to animals. It is a serious health issue directly affecting people, domestic pets and wildlife. Mission Statement Our mission is the creation of a live trapping/neuter/spay/release (TNR) program which will help to reduce and stabilize the current over population of these animals. The TNR program will include neutering/spaying/vaccinations and treating the cats prior to release. The program will accept and care for feral, lost, abused, injured and abandoned cats. There will also be an adoption service. Similar TNR programs in Nevada have been successful in reducing and helping to control community cat populations and related infectious diseases. Examples are the Nevada Humane Society programs in Reno, Carson City and Las Vegas. Additional successful TNR programs are operating in Salt Lake County, UT; DeKalb County, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Los Angeles County, CA, Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County, CA, and many others nationwide. Legal Authority The Nevada State Legislature, in their last session passed the bill SB411, which deals directly with the management of feral cats. It amends and adds language in the existing state animal cruelty law (NRS 574.100) to provide that feral cats can be legally released back (not considered abandoned) into their original habitats if they have been sterilized and vaccinated for rabies. The bill was approved by the governor on June 2, 2017 and is now state law. It's primary intent is to encourage the establishment of feral cat management programs throughout the state. With the long term goal of reducing populations and minimizing the transmission of serious infectious diseases to humans and animals.
How The Project Will Be Established The project will be administered and managed through the local Winnemucca Animal Rescue group which has been in operation for more than 2 years and was founded by Christina Kenison. They have recently been granted non-profit status, 501 (c) (3), and have been operating in the past on scarce donations from citizens and other interested parties. They are in urgent need of additional support and funding and respectfully request the county and city to consider offering financial assistance to help establish and promote the above mentioned programs. Revenue Sources With newly acquired non-profit status, we hope to obtain additional funding and donations from private citizens, groups and businesses such as the Chamber of Commerce, the casinos, the mining industry, TNR grants, and established community cat and animal advocate organizations. We also are requesting the city and county to provide funding which will facilitate start up and operating costs until when/if the project becomes self-sufficient (1-3 years). The county and city have graciously offered funding and a vacant building at the old BLM site on 4th Street to be used as the primary shelter. They have also offered to cover utilities and any costs associated with maintenance, insurance and upkeep of the building. Operating Costs and Expenses It is difficult to determine the exact costs and expenses of initial start-up and operation of the TNR program prior to its inception. More precise figures will be available after the program has been active for a period of time. It is anticipated that a range of $2,000-$3,000 per month would be a rough estimate. These are broken down into the following line items: 1. Veterinarian charges and medical supplies including vaccination drugs, antiseptics, anesthesia, surgical tools-$1750.00. 3. Towels, linens and house cleaning supplies-$200.00. 4. Shelter cages-$300.00 5. Food and litter-$400.00 6. Live Traps-$150.00 7. Insurance and Miscellaneous-$100.00. Volunteers Volunteers will be used as much as possible to keep operating costs and expenses at a minimum. It may be necessary to provide some compensation to the TNR field/shelter staff and the veterinarians. Project Details The TNR program will be established to live trap and release the cats back to their original surroundings. In the interim, they will be neutered/spayed and vaccinated for rabies. If possible, they will be adopted out. The field trapping will require one to two volunteers, with the responsibility of safely trapping and transporting them to the shelter for treatment. The animals will then be returned to their colonies or be adopted out if feasible. The shelter will necessitate volunteers to care for the animals needs on a daily basis.
Supporters Dave Mendiola, Humboldt County Administrator Steve West, Winnemucca City Manager Eric Silva, Winnemucca Chief of Police Michael Allen, Humboldt County Sheriff Gabrielle Carr, Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Joe Ratliff, Volunteer Christina Kenison, Winnemucca Animal Rescue Founder and Manager Katie Estil, Veterinarian Rolf Schwartz, Veterinarian Jamie Matsura, Veterinarian Closing Remarks If you require more information or have any questions prior to the August 7 meeting, please feel free to call Christina Kenison at (775) 971-8864 or Joe Ratliff at (775) 403-3776
How The Project Will Be Established The project will be administered and managed through the local Winnemucca Animal Rescue group which has been in operation for more than 2 years and was founded by Christina Kenison. They have recently been granted non-profit status, 501 (c) (3), and have been operating in the past on scarce donations from citizens and other interested parties. They are in urgent need of additional support and funding and respectfully request the county and city to consider offering financial assistance to help establish and promote the above mentioned programs. Revenue Sources With newly acquired non-profit status, we hope to obtain additional funding and donations from private citizens, groups and businesses such as the Chamber of Commerce, the casinos, the mining industry, TNR grants, and established community cat and animal advocate organizations. We also are requesting the city and county to provide funding which will facilitate start up and operating costs until when/if the project becomes self-sufficient (1-3 years). The county and city have graciously offered funding and a vacant building at the old BLM site on 4th Street to be used as the primary shelter. They have also offered to cover utilities and any costs associated with maintenance, insurance and upkeep of the building. Operating Costs and Expenses It is difficult to determine the exact costs and expenses of initial start-up and operation of the TNR program prior to its inception. More precise figures will be available after the program has been active for a period of time. It is anticipated that a range of $2,000-$3,000 per month would be a rough estimate. These are broken down into the following line items: 1. Veterinarian charges and medical supplies including vaccination drugs, antiseptics, anesthesia, surgical tools-$1750.00. 3. Towels, linens and house cleaning supplies-$200.00. 4. Shelter cages-$300.00 5. Food and litter-$400.00 6. Live Traps-$150.00 7. Insurance and Miscellaneous-$100.00. Volunteers Volunteers will be used as much as possible to keep operating costs and expenses at a minimum. It may be necessary to provide some compensation to the TNR field/shelter staff and the veterinarians. Project Details The TNR program will be established to live trap and release the cats back to their original surroundings. In the interim, they will be neutered/spayed and vaccinated for rabies. If possible, they will be adopted out. The field trapping will require one to two volunteers, with the responsibility of safely trapping and transporting them to the shelter for treatment. The animals will then be returned to their colonies or be adopted out if feasible. The shelter will necessitate volunteers to care for the animals needs on a daily basis.
Supporters Dave Mendiola, Humboldt County Administrator Steve West, Winnemucca City Manager Eric Silva, Winnemucca Chief of Police Michael Allen, Humboldt County Sheriff Gabrielle Carr, Humboldt County Assistant District Attorney Joe Ratliff, Volunteer Christina Kenison, Winnemucca Animal Rescue Founder and Manager Katie Estil, Veterinarian Rolf Schwartz, Veterinarian Jamie Matsura, Veterinarian Closing Remarks If you require more information or have any questions prior to the August 7 meeting, please feel free to call Christina Kenison at (775) 971-8864 or Joe Ratliff at (775) 403-3776
