Since she came to Chemung County in 2006 and founded an animal rescue organization, one of Linda Reichel’s priorities has been trapping feral cats, getting them spayed or neutered, and released.
She has also sponsored low-cost spay/neuter programs for dog and cat owners in an effort to combat a growing population of strays, but Reichel said in recent years, the problem has gotten so out of hand she can’t keep up.
Barb McClure, owner of Barb’s Soup’s On Cafe in Elmira, has helped support Reichel with fundraisers in the past, and she has personally seen issues with cat overpopulation.
McClure and Reichel are teaming up once again to hold a fundraising event Feb. 20 at the restaurant to raise money that will help Reichel continue her spay/neuter program.
“There were a lot of feral cats in a vacant building across the street. They were taken out when the building was torn down,” McClure said. “Some of them are back, but they’ve been fixed.”
Reichel runs A Voice for All Animals/Second Chance Ranch near Wellsburg. In addition to providing a sanctuary for castoff farm animals, dogs and cats, Reichel tries to be proactive in curbing an overpopulation of feral cats, but she said the problem is so great the cost of trapping and neutering is becoming prohibitive.
“Stray cats have kittens, the kittens get pregnant, and at the end of the year you can have 500 cats,” Reichel said. “This is about raising funds and helping animals. This whole thing is about responsibility. I’m trying to help people be more responsible.”
How to help curb feral cat overpopulation
Reichel isn’t the only one dealing with an out of control feral cat problem. Other animal rescue organizations are also coping with a growing problem as well.
Among them is the Animal Care Sanctuary in Milan, Bradford County.
Winter used to be a slower time for calls about feral cats, but that lull is getting shorter, according to Kimberly McHenry, a veterinarian with Animal Care Sanctuary, which also offers a low-cost spay/neuter service.
Uncontrolled populations of feral cats can also have a negative impact on wildlife, McHenry said, but there are steps people can take to help curb the problem.
“If you let your cat outdoors, be sure to get them fixed. Cats are prolific breeders,” she said. “If you are feeding feral cats, take steps to get them fixed. Cats can have four to six kittens per litter and can have multiple litters per year. People who didn’t get those first two cats fixed can suddenly have 20 kittens.”
Often, people who own pets want to be responsible but can’t afford to have their pet spayed or neutered, Reichel said.
Part of the money generated through the fundraiser will help a local dog owner who wants to keep her pet but can’t afford to get it spayed, according to Reichel.
McClure is part of a group that raises money to help local shelters, and she is a longtime supporter of Reichel and her mission. McClure hosted a similar fundraiser for A Voice for All Animals last July.
Reichel said education is a big part of what she does — not just stressing the importance of spay/neuter, but emphasizing responsible pet ownership in general, especially this time of year.
“I see dogs in cold weather tethered outside. Where’s the humanity?” she said. “Is it so difficult to be compassionate? I don’t get it.”
Feb. 20 Elmira fundraiser to support spay/neuter program
The fundraiser, scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Barb’s Soup’s On Cafe, 311 College Ave. in Elmira, will feature a fish fry or macaroni and cheese dinner with two sides, including French fries, coleslaw, baked beans, seasoned rice or mac and cheese.
Eat in or takeout service will be available. There will also be raffles and collectible cookie jars. Reichel hopes to raise at least $1,000 to support her spay/neuter program.
For more information about the fundraiser, call Barb’s Soup’s On Cafe at 607-735-2400. To learn more about A Voice for All Animals/Second Chance Ranch, write to Reichel at P.O. Box 62, Wellsburg, N.Y. 14894.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Elmira has a feral cat problem. How animal rescue fundraiser aims to help
Reporting by Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
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