By HELEN WOODS
Courtesy of Greg Boyd
As part of our ongoing work to reduce Laurel’s outdoor cat population through spay and neuter, the nonprofit Laurel Cats conducts its annual Cat Count, a census of Laurel’s outdoor feral cat population, every January. This year, more than 260 known active feral cat caretakers (down from over 400) were contacted to determine the number of free-roaming cats in Laurel and identify any abandoned house cats that needed to be placed in foster care.
One of the first responses was from a caretaker of the colony located behind the Target Laurel Store. She called to let us know that O.J., a large orange feral tabby, had passed away this fall. O.J. was the last cat in the Target colony.
When we began organizing Laurel Cats, in 2012, the Target colony consisted of over 36 cats. This out-of-control colony began with only one pregnant cat just five years before. Subsequent freely breeding generations created a nuisance for both Target store managers, who had cats on their loading dock and in storage units, and the neighboring apartment complex that periodically rounded up many of the cats to have them euthanized.
Laurel Cats was in its infancy at the time, but we convinced Dr. Kate Howard of Spay Now to set up a branch operation in Laurel. With some seed money and trap loans from Alley Cat Allies, we successfully trapped, neutered and returned the cats to the Target colony. It was the first of many, many trapping events conducted by Laurel Cats in our community.
While we are saddened by O.J.’s passing, we celebrate the success of Laurel Cats epitomized by the extinction of the Target colony and many other colonies throughout Laurel. Today, we are no longer seeing cat colonies averaging 30 cats, but an average colony size of three. Because the people of Laurel have worked together to support this program, the remaining feral cats in Laurel are living out their final days well cared for by their caretakers. The outdoor cat population is plummeting, and newly abandoned cats are being taken off the street and found loving indoor homes. While there is still work to do, today we are closer than ever to realizing our vision of a day when every Laurel cat has a good indoor home.
To support our work or join our team, please go to LaurelCats.org
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