Aggressive TNR is the key.

While feral and stray cats may face hardships, we don't think death is better than a life that is less than perfect.  Many animals (raccoons, foxes, field mice, etc.) face similar hazards but we would never consider killing them "for their own good."

Nor should feral cats be defined as "non-rehabilitable" simply because they aren't appropriate to live in a traditional home.

Strategies for saving feral cats (and their offspring, which make up the bulk of the kitten population in shelters) cannot rely solely on aggressive adoption programs.  We can't adopt our way out of the free-roaming cat crisis.  Although adoption is an important piece of the puzzle, the number of animals euthanized is the best indicator of how well or poorly humane organizations are doing.  The answer for feral cats lies in community-based programs like IndFeral which promote aggressive TNR and prevention.  IndyFeral has begun working with the Humane Society of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Animal Care & Control in reviewing the monthly statistics of stray/unowned cats which are surrendered and euthanized in the city.  We will also track these cats by zip codes so that we can direct our TNR services in the most efficient fashion to make the greatest impact.  The #1 goal of IndyFeral is to reduce the euthanasia rate for free-roaming cats in the city.

Although TNR is becoming increasingly accepted within the humane community, it is still not commonplace enough.  TNR is not only humane, it is the most effective way to reduce the number of homeless cats.  So get the word out, and let the community know that spay-neuter is available for free-roaming cats and killing should never be accepted as an appropriate "solution" to homeless cats.

Lisa Tudor
President
IndyFeral Inc.

Help your feline friends by listening to the fabulous Jennie DeVoe.  Jennie has graciously donated her time and talent to help raise funds for IndyFeral.  All you have to do is come with a friend, and we'll be able to neuter or spay one feral cat!  Jennie will also donate a portion of all CD sales that evening to IndyFeral.  So finish your yard work early and spend the evening with us!

What: Jennie DeVoe in concert to benefit IndyFeral presented by Pet Supplies Plus.  A $10 donation per person is requested at the door.

Where: The Rathskeller - 401 E. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

When: Sunday, June 13th from 5 - 7 PM

Why: Because she is great to listen to and the cats need your support!

A much needed food supply has been established with IndyFeral's partnership with Pet Supplies Plus.  Indianapolis residents now have three convenient locations to donate food to us; 7190 Rockville Road, 8810 S. Emerson Ave., or 2238 Broad Ripple Ave.

These donations are used for the feral cat colonies we maintain.

It is important to keep our food bank stocked, so that we can continue to care for the feral and abandoned cats that are the result of irresponsible pet owners who fail to spay or neuter their cats and allow them to roam freely.  We currenthly have 543 colonies and many of them depend on this food.

Thank you Pet Supplies Plus for your cooperation and continued support!

If you would like to learn more about IndyFeral's efforts or how you can help, log on to www.indyferal.org or call (317) 596-2300.

This pregnant, long-haired, yellow/orange tabby was having a normal visit to ICAN at one of our Feral Fridays when a bullet was discovered as a lump under the skin behind her right ear in recovery by Jayne Eash, a loyal IndyFeral volunteer.  Dr. Maynard removed the lump and that is how it was discovered.  Despite the bullet, the cat was in excellent health and even had managed to get pregnant with 5 kittens!

The bullet appeared to be a 22 caliber that lodged under the skin.  It may have been fired from a pistol, and/or bounced off another object before striking the kitty, judging by the flattened/deformed places on the projectile.  It was almost certainly fired at the cat.  Even though this was a small bullet, it can easily be fatal to small animals at relatively close ranges and humans have been killed by 22 caliber bullets too. 

The 22 caliber is popular because it's small, relatively quiet, has little recoil and is inexpensive to purchase and fire.  Typically they're used for hunting small animals & birds and "plinking" (unorganized shooting of targets and random objects).

This cat came from a colony on the southwest side of Indianapolis in the vicinity of Troy & Kentucky Avenues.  This discovery is a reminder of how important it is to educate the public on how to treat animals with respect, dignity and compassion.

IndyFeral Inc., an Indianapolis-based non-profit group that assists with stray and feral free-roaming cats, unveiled a unique partnership with the Indiana Department of Correction's (IDOC) Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF) to produce shelters for homeless outdoor cats.  The shelters, designed by IndyFeral, are durable, all-wood construction and insulated to provide protection from Indiana's bitter winter conditions.

The IndyFeral shelter buidling program originated in volunteer "shelter building days," but the demand for the shelters-from as far away as Germany-outstripped the group's ability to produce a hundred or so of the purpose-built structures per year.  Credited with the IDOC partnership idea, IndyFeral volunteer and IDOC employee, Carmalita Griffin, found Putnamville's Superintendent Al Parke to be receptive to the unusual idea.  With an inmate labor force, and the expertise to manage the production already in place, PCF was eager to begin.  "The feral cat program allows Putnamville staff & offenders to be involved with the community as a helping partner.  This is intrinsic to being part of the community in a positive and constructive manner," commented Superintendent Parke.

The outdoor cat shelters are sized for 1-3 cats and painted in neutral earth tones to be inconspicuous.  The innovative design is wind and water resistant.  When the shelters are filled with straw, they provide ample protection for outdoor cats, which develop a heavier winter coat.  They are available from IndyFeral as fully assembled structures, and will soon be made available as ready-to-assemble kits which can be shipped.  Proceeds from the shelter sales help fund food, shelter, medical care and spay/neuter surgeries for homeless cats.  The price is $40 per shelter, or 2 shelters for $60.  Delivery is available in the Indianapolis area for an additional charge. 

Visit the IndyFeral web site's (www.indyferal.org) "Feral Cat Shelter" page, or call (317) 596-2300 for more information.

As most of you probably know, there was an excellent article about IndyFeral in NUVO back in the fall of 2003.  Mary Lee Pappas, an IndyFeral volunteer, journalist, and most importantly, cat lover, put us in the spotlight with this story that graced the cover of the weekly magazine. 

We are happy to inform you that she won a third place award from the Society of Professional Journalists.  This award is quite an honor as SPJ members from across the county served as judges.

Congratulations Mary Lee!

If you would like to see the article, click here.

Back in February IndyFeral had its first large spay day for the year.  And, as usual, Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana (SNSI) pushed harder to spread the word during National Spay & Neuter Month.  They provide funding for thousands of spay/neuter surgeries yearly.  They have also been a constant supporter of IndyFeral.  Thank you SNSI for your generous support and helping us with our mission!

On February 22nd, we admitted 75 cats!  Needless to say, it takes many volunteers to handle this many cats; from admissions, transporters, pre-op, post-op, recovery, trap washers, and of course, our volunteer vets (three of them, no less).  Lots of people do more than on job.  It's an intricately organized efficient event that gets people involved and doing things they never would've imagined doing.  Even better, they all seem to love every moment of it!

Since February, we've have been really busy with Trap-Neuter-Return.  While we've been keeping out of the cold, the cats have been busy.  As usual, thousands of kittens are born in the spring and the 75 cats we spayed and neutered on February 22nd will prevent about 431 kitten births by February of 2005. 

However, 75 cats on one Spay Day is nothing compared to the estimated 178,000 cats roaming freely in Marion County alone.  That's why this year IndyFeral's goal is to spay/neuter 2,500 free-roaming cats.  We will accomplish this with the tireless work of volunteers as IndyFeral is a completely volunteer-run organization. 

If you are feeding free-roaming cats, or know a co-worker or friend who is, please call IndyFeral's "Feral Line" at 317-596-2300.  Help us continue to improve the lives of central Indiana's free-roaming cats. 

2,720 - Number of ferals fixed by IndyFeral since 2002

543 - Number of managed colonies

472 - Number of cats "fixed" From January 1 - April 30, 2004

For more information about IndyFeral, please visit our website.

Of course, we at IndyFeral try to prevent unwanted kittens, but should you find a litter that has been orphaned and needs care, the following link will take you to an article by the Tompkins County SPCA.

To read the article on how to care for kittens, click here.

May 27-29 - Annual Yard Sale
Thursday and Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Saturday is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Contact Amelda if you have any donations for the yard sale.

June 13 - Pet Supplies Plus Presents Jennie DeVoe in Concert to benefit IndyFeral.
Sunday, June 13th from 5-7 PM.  A benefit concert at the Rathskeller located in downtown Indianapolis.  Listen to Jennie DeVoe while raising funds for IndyFeral.  A $10 donation is requested at the door. 

Saturdays in Greenwood
Dr. Maynard, one of IndyFeral's volunteer vets, operates a low-cost shot clinic every Saturday morning in Greenwood."Animal House" Wellness & Vaccination Clinic.  Location information is listed below.

(317)346-7083
Located at the:
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
1460 US Highway 31 S
GREENWOOD, INDIANA
Every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walk-in clinic only (no appointments)