COMMUNITY
two cats remain.
“The volunteer groups need foster homes for kittens and
we encourage anyone interested to contact us,” says Sharon
Cooper, director of Operation CatSnip, which has coordinated
sterilization of more than 400 cats through the Community
Cat program, as well as low-cost sterilization for pets.
SUPPORT GROWS
Fort Pierce resident Robbi Black is one of the group’s experienced
48
trappers.
“Feral cats that have always lived outside are not domesticated
pets and can live out healthy lives in an outside
environment rather than being killed,” she says. “I recently
trapped nine cats off U.S. 1 and returned them. They are fed
by caretakers and doing well, with no more litters.”
Gracee is an adorable kitten who would have been euthanized
under the old system due to a bad eye infection.
Instead she received care and safe eye removal surgery. It was
tough going for several months, but she has been adopted by
a loving family.
Word of the program’s success is spreading. Code enforcement
staff members are getting inquiries from counties and
cities, and a TNVR ordinance was passed in Martin County.
“Now we need St. Lucie County to institute the program,”
adds Parry, who offered a Parry Foundation start-up grant to
the St. Lucie County Commission in November.
“Cats don’t recognize where the county line is. By extending
TNVR, population growth will be curtailed using a humane
approach. There are lots of Gracees out there who want
a chance to live!”
Michelle Abaldo is an Operation CatSnip volunteer.
BARBARA DUPONT
Every day, volunteer Barbara duPont feeds healthy feral cats who have been
spayed or neutered.
OF FORT PIERCE
In Historic Arcade Building
UNIQUE & ORIGINAL ARTWORK
OF 30+ ARTISTS
ARTWALK Every 3rd Friday of the month from 5-8 pm
ART CLASSES – CALL FOR DETAILS!
772.801.5700
Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs 10-4; Friday 10-5; Sat 10-3
101 N. US 1, Suite 124, Fort Pierce
(On the Corner of US 1 & Orange Avenue)
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