Forgotten Cats, Inc.

    Every day, Forgotten Cats Inc. faces enormous challenges as they repeatedly create win-win situations for Delaware ’s unwanted cats. As a   non-profit, all volunteer organization, Forgotten Cats faces the standard challenges – raising funds, finding volunteers, forming partnerships with like-minded organizations and communicating with target audiences. On top of that, serving the unmet needs of feral cats (cats with no owner) can be positively overwhelming.   

     People call Forgotten Cats for a variety of reasons: someone may have discovered a feral cat, a whole cat colony or even some hungry kittens near their work or home. Since Forgotten Cats never says “no” to anyone, they respond to each situation as quickly as possible. Still, they have a sizable waiting list of people who have asked for help with feral cats. Calls come in by the dozens, and there are virtually no other local organizations working to humanely address this issue.

      What happens after a concerned resident places a call?   In the case of a single feral cat, or a cat colony, Forgotten Cats uses a process called trap, neuter and return (TNR). Each month, they trap about 100 to 150 cats. That number is limited by the number of volunteers, traps, and veterinary appointment for the cats, as well as organizational funds available.With sufficient resources, the number could easily rise to 500 or more.

     “TNR is the only way to significantly reduce a feral cat population,” says Felicia Cross, founder and president of Forgotten Cats. “Our hope is to stabilize a cat colony one by one,” continues Cross. “Eventually, there will be a reduction in the size of the population, something that even euthanasia will not accomplish.”

      Trapped cats receive medical attention and are sterilized. After recuperating, most of the cats are returned to their feral cat colonies. There, they are watched by volunteer “colony caretakers,” who might be local residents or concerned volunteers. The caretakers continue to feed and monitor the cats after release. Kittens are socialized in a volunteer’s foster home, and then put up for adoption. Tame adults are “rehomed” as well.

     Educating the community about the benefits of TNR is one challenge.   Finding partners to help fulfill Forgotten Cats’ mission is another. Currently, the PETsMART store in the Brandywine Town Center and the Concord Pet store in Talleyville are helping local animal rescue organizations find homes for adoptable animals. Local veterinarians also assist with medical care. But there is still a lot of work to do to help Delaware ’s feral cats. Help make a paws-i-tive impact with this unique volunteer organization. Visit www.forgottencats.org or call (302) 429-0124.

Volunteers with Forgotten Cats visited PETsMART to help find homes for adoptable animals.