Trap, neuter & release effort planned for cats in Monessen
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
A Monessen resident has organized a trap, neuter and release program for feral cats in the city and has a GoFundMe page to get it off the ground.
Carissa Barcus has set two dates for trap, neuter and release events with the Fix’n Wag’n to come in and care for up to 30 feral cats each time.
The Fix’n Wag’n is a nonprofit that brings a fully equipped, 30-foot surgical unit supplied to perform 30 surgeries in a day. The cats will get vaccines, flea treatment, ear mite treatment if needed and an ear tip.
The money to support this effort is being raised through the Monessen TNR Program page on GoFundMe. The funds will go directly to the city and then be funneled to the project.
At council’s meeting this week, Barcus explained her hesitancy at being responsible for the financing of the effort and having the money run through her bank account.
The GoFundMe has a goal to raise $3,000, but the hope is to continually reinvest in that fund to control the feral cat population in Monessen and to care for the cats who are here.
Barcus said TNR events are extremely humane, cats are not euthanized, kittens will be taken to rescues for adoption along with adult cats who seem like they could be rehomed. But some cats are feral and they will need to be returned to where they were trapped.
The two events are planned for Nov. 30 and Dec. 29. The Fix’n Wag’n will set up at the Civic Center, where the volunteers will stay during that time period.
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