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Mission Statement and Introduction
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 The
Founding Of The Feral Cat Caretakers Coalition (FCCC)
The Feral Cat Caretakers Coalition was formed when it’s
founder, Dona Cosgrove Baker, a caretaker herself, was profoundly
moved by the suffering of feral cats and kittens. She was
called to the often times overwhelming responsibility and
commitment required to care for a large number of feral cats,
scattered over several acres in an industrial area in Los
Angeles, California. While caretaking, she experienced an
unconscionable lack of support and understanding from the
community, and on numerous occasions, overt hostility. She
knew that feral cat caretakers were great in number and were
caring for feral cats and kittens under similar or worse circumstances.
Dona recognized that if feral cat caretakers were organized
as well as effectively directed and collectively supported,
they would be a forceful instrument in providing a specialized
solution for humane feral cat population control and responsible
long-term care.
By joining together with FCCC, the caretakers could then become
a unified force and voice for the compassionate care of feral
cats. Experience taught her that trapping cats was only the
beginning of a lifetime commitment once the cats were returned
to the original home site. She realized that it would be the
responsibility of the feral cat caretaker to provide care
for cats that may live 10-12 years. The
significance of the quality of care provided to the cats upon
return, is the main focus and mission of FCCC.
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FCCC’s mission, in the interests of feral cats everywhere,
is to support feral cat caretakers, gain recognition of the
beneficial role that caretakers perform, implement the trap,
neuter and return (TNR) method of population control, and
promote the adoption of long-term, caretaker-based solutions
regarding feral cats.
Specifically, our purpose and commitment are to:
- Facilitate the work of caretakers in caring for
feral cats and controlling feral cat population growth.
- Provide a communication network and support resources
for caretakers.
- Project a strong unifying voice for feral cat caretakers
and their colonies.
- Work with and educate property decision makers and
governmental agencies in appropriate and humane solutions
for feral cats.
- Implement and manage programs that benefit the constituencies
we serve.
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Beginning in her home with the encouragement of active supporters
and friends, the Feral Cat Caretakers’ Coalition was
formed in 1997 and is now formally established as a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit corporation. The FCCC has gained many supporters
and provides a range of support services to caretakers. The
FCCC is poised to launch its further growth with innovative
plans and programs. These will bring a greater range of benefits
to caretakers, by offering them a "life line" to
facilitate their work. The services caretakers provide will
solve problems, save money for taxpayers and improve the lives
of feral cats and kittens.
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- Population nationwide:
The population of feral cats is estimated at 60 million,
and growing (Humane Society of the United States).
- Los Angeles population:
Local officials estimate the city’s feral cat
population at 3 million (City of Los Angeles Animal
Services).
- Caretaker population:
Throughout the United States, 17 million caretakers
tend to 35 million cats (Humane Society of the United
States).
- Caretaker profile:
Caretakers range in age from 9 to 90, and they come
from all walks of life. According to a survey conducted
by Tufts University, the median age of the feral cat
caretaker is 43.2 years.
- Feral colonies: Feral
cats live in colonies where they congregate around
a food source. Colonies typically number 10 to 30
cats.
- The ferals’ favored
locations: Feral cats live near dumpsters,
in storm drains, alleys, vacated buildings, storage
areas, warehouses, and behind restaurants and supermarkets.
- TNR—the approved solution:
The humane method of trap, neuter and return (TNR)
is the only successful, proven method of controlling
the population growth of feral cats.
- Championing the caretakers:
The primary purpose of the FCCC is to aggregate caretakers
into an organization that is entirely focused on supporting
their work with feral cats and kittens. With FCCC’s
assistance caretakers can join together to form a
coalition to care for and implement humane solutions
for population control and other important related
issues.
- Cost savings for taxpayers:
Hard numbers have been collected and analyzed by local
authorities in several areas of the U.S. The conclusions
consistently verify that the trap, neuter and return
(TNR) method reduces costs to local governments. (Feral
Cat Coalition, San Diego, CA)
- The need for an informed
public. The public and local government presently
lacks awareness that a humane solution to feral cat
proliferation is available. This lack of information
frustrates and impacts the work of caretakers, especially
when property owners and local government officials
make uneducated and inappropriate decisions involving
inhumane and short-term solutions.
- No feral cats your area?
Ferals usually forage at night. They may not
venture forth to be seen during the day. They are
wary of humans and this makes it difficult for them
to be observed.
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Our constituencies encompass the caretakers primarily, but also
include animal enthusiasts, animal rights advocates, property
owners and local government agencies. Our purpose is to work
together with all concerned persons who are willing to be involved
in solving this most pressing problem. |
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The five points set forth below represent our core philosophies
and drive the programs of the FCCC:
- Feral cats and kittens have a right to live and
to be humanely treated and cared for.
- Provide managed long-term quality care in conjunction
with trapping, neutering and return to home site for
adult cats. (TNR) is the accepted and the best available
method to control the feral cat population.
- Adult cats that are in jeopardy and the home site
is not safe or available, must be relocated to appropriate
places or sanctuaries.
- Kittens are taken from their colonies to continue
their lives in adoptive homes.
- Implement solutions for the immediate and ongoing
needs in supporting feral cat colonies.
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THE ONLY HUMANE, PROVEN AND SUCCESSFUL METHOD OF
FERAL CAT POPULATION CONTROL
The costs associated with trapping and euthanasia of feral
cats are prohibitive to local governmental agencies. Because
of their undomesticated nature, ferals are not considered
adoptable and are routinely destroyed in city and county animal
shelters. Killing feral cats is inhumane as well as costly
and does not solve the problem. The method of trapping, neutering,
and returning (TNR) has been accepted and endorsed by municipal
agencies, animal welfare organizations and the California
Veterinary Association as the only successful, proven way
to solve the problem of feral cat overpopulation.
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 Sadly,
the plight of the feral cat caretaker is under the radar screen
of the media and local governments. Their service to the community
is rarely, if ever, acknowledged in the local press. Local governments
are for the most part unaware of the value of the service caretakers
provide. Often, local officials, property owners and others,
place obstacles in their path that can be insurmountable. The
physical, financial and emotional stress of these dedicated
citizens having to do honorable work under some of the most
adverse conditions is incomprehensible. It is a sad reality
that many caretakers are forced to operate in secret because
of their fear of humiliation and chastisement by strangers or
abuse and threats by landlords and officials, not only to them
but to the cats they care for. Feral cats living outdoors are
vulnerable and unprotected. Stringent laws are needed to protect
them and their caretakers. Little education is available for
the average citizen as to their plight and suffering.
The dedicated feral cat caretaker has few days off. Caretakers
continue their daily chores, often helpless to change their
situation for the better. If the landlords of the industrial
or private property on which the feral cat colony resides decide
they want to destroy the cats, the caretaker has no rights and
can do little to protect the colony from being destroyed. These
unfortunate situations are all too common. A woman getting up
in years, who is a responsible and dedicated caretaker, will
often be viewed by the people in her community as an eccentric,
troublesome old lady. Many of these anonymous, independent caretakers
have barely enough money to feed themselves and yet they share
their meager earnings or social security checks with the ferals
they feed and care for. They have unselfishly opened their hearts.
Without the caretaker, feral cats will not be spayed, neutered,
fed or cared for. Without the caretaker, what emerges, is not
a responsible, well-maintained feral cat colony, but a group
of starving, sickly cats and kittens, roaming the neighborhoods
scavenging for food, seeking shelter and safety and reproducing
at an uncontrolled rate. Male cats will mutilate each other
over mates, hunting grounds, food sources, garbage containers
and territory. The irony is that when uneducated persons attempt
to destroy feral cat colonies, the vacuum created will be quickly
filled by cats in adjacent areas. There will also be cats that
could not be trapped, and they will continue to reproduce at
random. Killing is not the answer. Caretaking with long-term
management is the only successful and humane solution |
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Solving the overpopulation of feral cats and improving their
lives depends upon the dedication and commitment of caretakers
to provide compassionate care while implementing humane population
control. In turn, the caretakers’ success in achieving
these goals requires support, services, training, networking
and supplemental resources to provide quality feral cat care
and acceptable long term care alternatives. |
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| Many, non-profit organizations that dedicate their efforts
to improving the well being of animals, also include feral cats
and kittens. The FCCC works with these organizations on behalf
of animal welfare, no-kill and other humane animal population
control measures. |
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The FCCC is being eagerly welcomed by feral cat caretakers.
The response to the FCCC by independent caretakers has been
nearly overwhelming. A growing stream of communication through
phone calls and E-mails come in daily from caretakers hungry
for information and help in managing their colonies.
Over the long term, the FCCC is committed to educating the public
about the significant role that caretakers play in the lives
of feral cats and kittens. An important purpose of the FCCC
is to create a national educational and information center.
At present, the overwhelming majority of feral cat caretakers
have no voice, no rights, little support and even less awareness
from the general public. The FCCC will represent and support
these caring people and will disseminate valuable feral cat
care information to the caretakers through our website, mailed
pamphlets and a newsletter "The Voice of the Feral."
 Caretakers’
membership in the FCCC is a means of acknowledging and recognizing
their official status as a caretaker in the communities they
serve, locally and nationally. Membership in the FCCC will provide
the unity needed for recognition of their status.
A national trap, neuter and return (TNR) program adopted by
local governments that encourages, supports and acknowledges
the feral cat caretakers’ pivotal role as vital in helping
to ease the population explosion and provide compassionate and
quality care for feral cats. The FCCC will be a significant
voice in facilitating the adoption and implementation of these
programs. |
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- To Support the Caretakers
- Training
- Information center
- Network for caretakers to share their experiences
and information
- Resources – food, traps, supplies and health
care to ease the economic burden on caretakers
- Hotline and emergency response capability
- Legal stature and improved image
- Certification
- Credentialing and visual identification (logo,
emblems, decals, badges)
- Volunteer force to handle special needs
- Intervention on behalf of caretakers
- Communication through newsletters, conferences
and meetings
- To Broaden Our Base of Resource Partners and Supporters
- Manufacturers of cat food, pet accessories and
supplies, medicine and nutritional supplement, and
retail pet companies
- Veterinarians and veterinary hospitals
- Donors, grant issuing foundations, allied animal
rights organizations
- To Educate the Public and Advocate for the Interests
of Feral Cat Caretakers
- A unified voice
- An outreach program to increase awareness of feral
cat and caretaker needs
- Education of the public concerning feral cat issues
- Encouragement of responsible pet ownership
- To Provide Legal Intervention and Provision for
Long-Term Solutions
- Model laws and regulations proposed for adoption
by local governments
- Caretaker rights advocacy
- Negotiation with government entities and property
developers/owners
- Injunctions and other measures that facilitate
caretakers’ work
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The near-term goals of the FCCC are basic: to relieve
some of the crushing physical and financial burdens carried
by the unsung, unrecognized heroes and heroines of this movement,
the individual feral cat caretaker. Additionally, there are
many people who would gladly assume the responsibility of humane
long-term management of feral cats, but lack the means or know-how.
A strong FCCC outreach program would provide support, education,
public awareness and training.
We are currently operating at capacity. The limited capital
of our growing organization has strained our operating resources
and slowed our productivity. The e-mail and telephone calls
for help have increased to the point where additional trained
volunteers are needed to handle the complexity of circumstances
that confront the caretakers who call. We are reaching out for
support in all categories as well as added funding to strengthen
our operating base, implement our plans and realize our mission. |
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