Rambler's Story: PAWS helps Rural San Jose East Side home where Country meets City

A home owner on about an acre of land in the foothills, next to an orchard, had been feeding stray cats who were living in the orchard. This had become a large colony and some of the other neighbors were complaining, as the kitties began to spread out the colony further.

In this case, PAWS-HCC was immediately contacted by SJACS ACO who was called out on the case, in late summer, 2007. The home owner was happy to have help with TNR (they do not drive); to help reduce the size of the colony; and to be educated on how to properly feed a colony to not attract wildlife (e.g. feed only the amount the colony will consume in ½ hour and pick up any remaining food, feeding in daylight not dark). Five PAWS-HCC members joined forces to help trap the kitties.

Over 20 adults were TNR’d and over 20 kitties were fostered and adopted. Kitten fosters included the original five PAWS-HCC participants, joined by three other members - quite a nice joint PAWS-HCC effort. Cathy Grovenberg (PAWS-HCC member and PAWS board member) was the most diligent of trappers, including putting in long hours over several weeks to finally catch the last wily female with a drop trap. In addition to all the effort put in by PAWS-HCC members, PAWS funded the microchips for the TNR’d adults.

03/02/08 Rambler, one of kitties rescued, still available for adoption, see him at Petsmart Campbell petfairs on Saturdays 850 W. Hamilton, 95008 or more details online at 1-800-save-a-pet