Different Groups In The Community Working Together

We were notified about the Division 25 Project back in May. We received a TNR request regarding a momma cat and her baby. When we went to assess the location / project, we realized there was so much more, about 18 cats more. We started on the project right away, to date, we have vetted 18 cats in this alley, 5 of these cats were admitted to a no kill shelter and adopted, and the rest were returned to the alley after they had their TNR vetting.

There are a ton of people who feed in this alley. There is a colony at the West end of the alley and another huge colony at the East end. At the East end, we noticed that one of the people who feeds (an older gentlemen) would just leave a ton of cat food cans out for these cats. On multiple occasions, we would find up to 15 or so empty cans laying around on the ground and every time we would promptly pick them up and throw them out. 

We visit this alley once a week and place dry food out with water for the cats. After our shelter building event, we decided to bring over some feral cat shelters in preparation of winter. Upon arrival to the Easst end colony, we noticed that all of the weeds where the cats would hide were completely gone and we didn't see any of the cats, except for Juliusa of course. I started to panic and needed to find out what was going on. We went from business to business on that block near the location. I also noticed that there were new signs located at the front of the building. It showed that the Paseo Puerto Rican Cultural Center owned and managed these buildings.

 

Even though it was a Sunday and they might not be there, I tried and went to their office anyhow. Thankfully they were open. I had a conversation with the two people in charge. Jose and Alejandro. I explained to them who we were, what we do, and how we vetted 18 cats at this location. They informed me that they had received complaints about all the can food cans and I explained to them about how many Puerto Rican residents feed and love those cats and we need to come together and find a solution. I was able to get them to agree to put feral cat housing shelter provided by us on their property and I also offered that we would help them with any resident complaints. I also offered to put up a sign with their permission, asking the residents not to leave unwanted cans every where. They were elated and agreed. We are so happy that the different groups in one community can come together and make a difference, it is vital to the communities' well being.

Juliusa always on stand by

We put up the sign and placed a feeding shelter bolted to the fence so it cannot be removed / stolen. When we revisited the site, we spoke with many neighbors who were excited about the feeding shelter and loved the sign.

As seen in the Daylight hours

The work in this alley is still not done. There are 3 buildings where the East end colony stays and these buildings are planned for demo in the Spring of 2017. We will be flyering all the houses on these two  blocks who share the alley to see what residents would be willing to have feral cat shelters in their yards so these cats are not displaced.

This alley has definitely kept us busy and at times has proven to be a challenge. The West end of this alley, was not kind. There are 3 houses who initially we had on board with TNR, change their mind due to ignorance. We were screamed at every time we trapped at that end and consistently berated. However, we told them every time, that we would be back until we vetted every single cat. Even though we explained that what we were doing was to protect the cats, an elder gentlemen who was the bulk of the problem and worked all the other neighbors up, said he didn't want the cats spayed / neutered. We even had them kick one of our traps once. And though, we faced consistent challenges we didn't give up. And even though we were treated poorly, we still went back and provided feral cat shelter housing to those problem houses since they were also feeding. Yes, they treated us poorly, but it's not about us, it's about the cats. We are truly elated every time we visit to see how healthy and happy these cats have become.