By Madeline Sullivan
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is the most effective way to reduce feral cat populations. With numbers rising every day, many community volunteers have made it their mission to help prevent the spread of rabies and to slow the growth of feral cat communities, along with rescuing and socializing stray dogs.
FishHawk’s own, Alicia Dunstan, officially began her Nonprofit Animal Rescue and TNR in 2012 after noticing a population of feral cats in FishHawk Ranch. Dunstan is a marine biologist with a specialization in marine and wildlife rehabilitation and rescue. Her years of experience have helped her in turning a small community TNR organization into a full-fledged animal rescue, which was incorporated into a non-profit organization in January of 2015.
FishHawk TNR’s mission is to lower shelter euthanasia rates by lessening the amount of animals ending up in shelters as well as reducing feral cat populations. Dunstan and her team of 40 volunteers work with strays, abandoned pets, feral kittens, and occasionally animals pulled from kill shelters.
Because feral cats do not make good pets, the kittens are often rescued and then put up for adoption. “We rescue the kittens and socialize them in foster homes so they can be loving pets,” Dunstan said.
All of the rescued animals are fully vetted and spayed or neutered along with being behavior tested. The animals up for adoption are micro chipped, up to date on all shots, dewormed, and have received one month of topical flea treatment. The dogs are up to date on Heartguard as well. Each animal comes with an adoption fee and an adoption process, which includes a play date with the animal and a home check.
Lincoln, 3.5-year-old male cat, was left behind when his family moved. He is sociable and loving and gets along very well with other pets. Lincoln is neutered, microchipped, up to date on all of his shots, dewormed, and current on flea prevention. Lincoln is up for adoption and looking for his forever home.
For more information and to see which animals are up for adoption, visit FishHawk TNR’s facebook page, or email Dunstan at treehugger143@hotmail.com.
